Former Fat Duck Group chief operating officer to reopen Marlow's Oarsman pub

The co-founders of restaurant consultancy Truffle Hunting are to reopen the Oarsman pub in Marlow next month.

Chef James McLean and Nigel Sutcliffe (pictured) have worked together for more than 20 years assisting businesses such as Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck Group, where Sutcliffe was chief operating officer from 2018-21.

McClean was previously head chef of the Stonor Arms in Oxfordshire and owner-director at London’s Princess Victoria and Newman Street Tavern pubs.

Now the pair are relaunching the Oarsman as a pub and bistro that will open daily for lunch, dinner and drinks.

There will be space for 50 guests in the bar and a further 50 in the bistro, while a covered outside space will have seating for all weather conditions with blankets for guests on colder evenings.

The team will work with local suppliers to create a seasonal menu and host tasting evenings to showcase produce. Sutcliffe is curating a wine list that will include a mix of favourite and more unusual bottles.

Sutcliffe said: “James and I are delighted that we will be reopening such a fantastic property in the coming months. We have some exciting plans for guests and hope that we can bring something to Marlow that complements the existing offering. We rely on our local audience and can’t wait to welcome them as soon as we are ready to.”

The pair also work alongside the Crown at Bray pub on a consultancy basis.