Staff

Dan is affectionately known as Dan the Fish, because he used to be the MD of a fish company. He is a foodie’s foodie, is passionate about cooking and recipe writing, and has an enviable wine collection which he draws on enthusiastically. In a previous incarnation Dan ran a delicatessen and catering business in Warrington, and on top of everything else, he is damn good company and a fine man to share a pint with.

Damien is simply obsessed with beer and has a fondness for malt whiskies. He joined the Black Jug in late 2007 before moving on to a stint at the Combermere Arms. Embracing his beer monster inclination, and itching to get on, he seized the chance to run the cellars and organise the beers at the Hand and Trumpet as assistant manager. Now he’s stepped up to the challenge of deputy at the Orchard, he is one of those rare but lucky characters in life - people who earn a living doing what they love.

Roxy is a bit of a star, and is married to Wes. Both are from South Africa, and they met when they were working at the Chante Clare hotel in Durban: she herself is a trained chef, and likes nothing better than baking. Roxy is a larger than life character, but has some decidedly bookish hobbies, like embroidery, or compiling her scrapbook. Her absolutely favourite thing is eating out and drinking wine, so she's in the right job.

Kelly is a cool cucumber. She quietly and politely gets on with helping to run the pub and has become a valued member of the management crew. She is a big fan of music festivals, where she can be seen raving to heavy techno with her illuminous green jacket (covered in mud) and she has a profound fondness for cider. Our Kelly is also a vegetarian, which is a good thing as it means there’s more rib-eye steak for the rest of us.

Matt completes the line-up in our kitchen, having previously headed up the team at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury. He was destined to join Brunning and Price after a stint at the Armoury, where he picked up some great techniques, not least with the ladies, having wooed Emily, now manager of the Greyhound. He loves Man United, has a superbly husky voice and is a genius at desserts.

Wes is from sunny South Africa and has been here since 2006, enjoying our beautiful climate. He originally trained in South Africa, and gained his spurs at the prestigious Chante Claire and Aubergine in Durban, before emigrating to the UK with a number of other friends in the catering industry. Wes loves hunting, fishing, and rugby, and his family live in Mauritius, so he enjoys going home very much. He is married to Roxy, and they are a formidable pair.

Ed joined our cheffy team just after we opened. He's a bit of a cool customer, with his (previously) secret property portfolio simmering away, and an ice-cold temperament in the kitchen. He also has a fondness for Man United. He's quiet and composed, unless plied with red wine, which makes him sit back in his chair, permanently roaring with laughter, as his hidden double chin comes into play. We're yet to see Ed in a bad mood....cue Chelsea winning the league.

Katie is a bit of a rising star. She is well liked in the kitchen and brings a certain womanly charm, keeping the boys in check. She's loves Twitter, Coca Cola and particularly Big Brother and her claim to fame is that she once appeared on stage with Davina McCall. Katie's desert island dessert is sticky toffee pudding, so when we put it on the menu she was naturally delighted.

Andrew has been hailed as one of the best gardeners in the company. He had to hit the ground running having inherited the landscape around the pub in a pretty sorry state. He trims hedges, cuts grass, builds fences, plants....er plants, fixes lights, builds sheds, erects curtain rails and so on and so on. We simply couldn't do without him. But be careful, once you get him on his favourite subject, local history, make sure to set aside at least an hour. Like all gardeners, he loves to talk.

Nora is a bit of a legend at the Old Orchard. She's super efficient and always has a smile on her face. Between she and Lesley, they make sure the pub is immaculate every day, but borrow the brasso without returning it and you'll know about it. Nora is the queen of the floor buffer, and she steers it between tables with the deftest flick of a wrist….she’s a floor-buffer’s floor buffer.