Gordon Stott leaves the Sun Inn to open the Purefoy Arms

Gordon Stott has left the Sun Inn to open his first solo pub, the Purefoy Arms, in Preston Candover, Hampshire.

Acorn Award-winner Stott had been landlord and head chef of the Sun Inn near Drummer in Hampshire since 2010, a role he assumed aged just 20. Under Stott the gastropub received a Michelin Bib Gourmand and two AA rosettes, while he won the Pub Chef Award at the 2017 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards.

Stott, 27, departed the Sun Inn shortly after the venue was sold to restaurateur Jamshed Miah last year and opened the Purefoy Arms in May, with aims to make it one of the UK's top gastropub destinations.

The pub, which dates back to the 1860s, recently underwent a major six-figure refurbishment. The 45-cover restaurant has been designed to reflect Gordon's vision of a traditional British pub serving creative dishes made using seasonal ingredients from local suppliers like Owton's Butchers, Moonroast Coffee, Hill Farm Juice, New Forest Ice Cream and Andwell Brewing Company.

Stott said: "Every inch of the Purefoy Arms, from the design to the food, has my stamp on it. Diners can expect a regularly changing menu full of local produce and some unexpected twists on classic pub food. Taking everything I achieved at the Sun Inn, I want the Purefoy Arms to gain a national reputation for outstanding pub food and will be looking to add some more awards to the collection."

The menu features dishes such as whole roasted stuffed quail served with carrot purée, hispi cabbage and bubble and squeak; and faggot and rack of lamb served with pea and bacon succotash, celeriac, crushed potatoes and a red wine jus. A six-course tasting menu is also available, and homemade jams, chutneys, vinegars, truffles and shortbread are available to buy.

Acorn winners 2017: Gordon Stott >>

Nigel Haworth honoured with Special Award at Craft Guild of Chefs Awards >>

The Sun Inn sold to restaurateur Jamshed Miah >>

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