Staff

Chris spent almost three years with us on the roving circuit, working across most of our pubs. Pre-B&P, Chris worked in a variety of management roles in hotels. He found a happy home in Cheshire some seven years, ago and hasn’t looked back since. Outside work, he is busy honing his guitar playing skills (sorry neighbours) and introducing consistency to his erratic golf game. He resides in the Hall with his wife Faye, a children’s nurse, who also doesn’t like to talk about ghosts.

With a background in Art and Design, Fliss went one further and did a degree in Embroidery, which is a specialised subject but comes in handy if you need something darned absolutely beautifully. Fliss gained her spurs at the Combermere Arms, where she was part of the opening team. Chris jumped at the opportunity to bag Fliss for Old Hall, where her cool, calm and highly organised manner complements his more nonchalant approach.

Chris (aka Charlie) first met Chris Button when they were both at Rookery Hall, and realised they shared a passion for food, wines and real ales, so when CB was appointed, he got on the phone tout de suite. Chris is a serious hiker, especially up in the Lakes, which helps mitigate the effects of his foodie, winey, beery interests.

Jamie is known to one and all as Jamie Runcorn, because that's where he lives - makes sense, really. He is originally from Widnes, so we could have called him Jamie Widnes, but Jamie Runcorn has more of a ring to it. Let’s hope he doesn’t move to Mold. Jamie has been cooking professionally for twenty years, and when he's not cooking he likes to go for long walks, as often as not with his rod, as he's a keen fisherman.

Paul is a Nantwich chap and had been in his family pub business; The Lamb at Willaston since leaving school. In October 2008, he felt it was time to spread his culinary wings and headed straight for the Hand and Trumpet, through the recommendation of a couple of regulars who also work for B&P, before Jamie shrewedly claimed him for the kitchen team at Old Hall. He's happy and loves cooking, so life is good.

Since first joining the crew at the Armoury in Shrewsbury as a part-timer in June 2004 Tom, (aka the bear), has gone from strength to strength. He made the move to the Hand and Trumpet kitchens where he met Jamie and Paul, and they’ve been a team ever since. Watch out for paw prints in your food.

Chris Randall is our trainee chef, and he is showing great promise. One of his valued qualities is that he is an accomplished handman, and helps fix stuff all round the kitchen. Not only that, but he's a dab hand at dry stone walling, and as you may have noticed, we're surrounded by acres of dry stone walling here, so he has a bright future. Rumour has it that Chris once wrestled a crocodile with his bare hands, but it may have been an inflatable.

Oli’s interest in food stemmed from his very first job blending smoothies. He joined the team at the Combermere as a kitchen porter, with obvious potential he was snapped up as a trainee chef for Old Hall. Outside of work, Oli enjoys skiing and Sunday roasts, although not at the same time.

A true Sandbachian, Peter had an unusual and 18 year career in the chemical industry, processing high vacuum distillations. After deciding he needed a new and exciting challenge, he swapped one white coat for another and worked in a couple of local pub kitchens before joining the team at Old Hall. He is a Manchester United fan and enjoys long country walks with his partner and dog.

Ian is a Cheshire lad through and through. Many moons again, he was a chef, before being lured away to manufacture paper. Realising the error of his ways, Ian took the plunge and has come back to enjoy life in the kitchen. In between house renovations and gardening, Ian enjoys holidays away in his caravan with his two miniature dachshunds Bailey and Colby.