Chef Dominic Chapman to take on new pub venture

Dominic Chapman, former head chef of the one-Michelin-star Royal Oak at Paley Street, Berkshire, is to take over the running of a nearby pub.

He has signed a 20-year lease with Enterprise Inns for The Beehive, which overlooks the village cricket green at White Waltham, near Maidenhead.

The pub has previously been run for 15 years by leaseholders, Guy and Jenny Martin, who are now retiring.

Chapman has set up a new company, Coucha, to run the pub. David Coubrough, the founder of the hospitality recruitment consultancy Portfolio International, will chair Coucha and will sit on its board will sit on the board with his wife Victoria.

The business will be a family affair with Chapman's wife Helena as a partner and his sister-in-law Alicia Corlett, who has worked for Rowley Leigh and Mark Hix in London, as the manager.

"The Beehive will be a food-run operation which will maintain the integrity of a pub, be very relaxed and offer good value." said Chapman, who was at the Royal Oak for seven and a half years. "It will have a strong emphasis on cask ales and a good wine list. I want it to be somewhere people will be equally happy to come just for a pint and a bar snack or a full meal."

Three courses on the British-focused menu will cost around £30, with no main courses costing more than £20.

Chapman said he would be very happy if Michelin decided to reward his new venture with a star, but that his main focus was to run a successful business.

The Beehive will undergo a minor refurbishment before reopening under Chapman's ownership on 11 August.