Michelin-starred chef to help serve up the ‘Best ever pub pie in Wales’

Tom Shepherd is sharing his secret pie recipe for the first time ever, giving Marston’s customers up and down the country the chance to enjoy a new version of a favourite pub dish, inspired by his banquet-worthy original.

The Best Ever Pub Pie will be available to order in over 100 Marston’s pubs, including 17 in Wales, for 12 weeks, from 17 April.

In South West Wales it will be available at The Mary Dillwyn in Fforestfach, Swansea, The Pheasant in Bridgend, Rose and Crown in Porthcawl and Lost Coins in Withybush, Haverfordwest.

The triple-layered pie is filled with hand-pulled beef cheek, caramelised onions, and roast potatoes, all encased in a luxurious beef fat shortcrust pastry. The pie will be served with seasonal vegetables, creamy mashed potato and a rich red wine sauce. 

Tom Shepherd is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur and owns the Staffordshire based, Michelin-starred restaurant Upstairs by Tom Shepherd. Tom appeared on Great British Menu in 2023, winning the main course round and the chance to cook his pie at the coveted banquet.

Tom has been working closely with the Marston’s development team to make sure that the pie is as close as possible in flavour and appearance as his iconic dish.

Chef Tom Shepherd said: “I’m so excited to be partnering with Marston’s to give as many people as possible the chance to try my secret recipe. I have been asked to share the recipe a lot, but it hasn’t felt like the right partnership, until now!

“For me, when I think of the pub, I think of a good pie, so I was delighted to have the chance to work with the Marston’s team to bring this pie to life. I can’t wait to see what people think. The Best Ever Pub Pie will only be on the menu for 12 weeks, so don’t miss out!”

Claire Robertson, Director of Operations at Marston’s, said: “Pies are some of the most popular dishes across our menus, but we wanted to do something extra special and when Tom Shepherd agreed to share his recipe, we were thrilled.

“We’ve worked really hard together to create the most delicious dish possible, it’s rich, decadent and absolutely delicious. We can’t wait to introduce The Best Ever Pub Pie to customers across the UK, giving as many people as possible the chance to try my recipe from the 17th of April.”

#chef #Fforestfach #foodDrink #GreatBritishMenu #Haverfordwest #MarstonSBrewery #MichelinStar #pies #Porthcawl #pub #restaurant #Swansea #TomShepherd #Withybush

Pub chain challenges punters to beat the clock and take on ‘Cool Hand’ Luke

Amateur players across the nation will have the opportunity to dart to their local and take part in a timed ‘around the clock’ challenge, to be in with the chance of winning £5,000 and a place at the Grand Final. 

The Cool Hand Cup will take place in over 700 pubs across the UK, including 115 in Wales, starting with launch parties to rival the atmosphere at Ally Pally, taking place from Monday 3rd – Thursday 6th February. The last chance to get on the leaderboard will be at Final Throw events on Thursday 13th March.

Guests are invited to step up to the oche and go around the clock, from one to 20, finishing on the bullseye. The challenge can be attempted by players as many times as they like throughout the competition period. Times must be submitted via a dedicated tournament microsite, where local, regional, and national leaderboards will reveal the best of the best.

The current Darts World No. 1, 2024 World Matchplay Champion and the reigning Players Championship Final Champion, Luke Humphries, will be the first to take on the challenge, setting the time for guests to try and beat. Luke is also a former Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Champion and holds 18 senior PDC titles.

The top 2 players from each regional leader board will be whisked away by Marston’s to compete in a Grand Final, with all food, travel and accommodation expenses covered for them and one guest. 

The 4 players with the fastest times will automatically proceed to the quarter finals, with the remaining 8 competing to continue their journey at the Grand Final. A series of play-offs will determine who will take home the cup and play Luke Humphries in the last match of the night. 

The winner will take home £5,000 in cash, £180 Marston’s Love My Local gift card, a set of Luke Humphries Red Dragon darts and of course, the Cool Hand Cup trophy.

None of the finalists will go home empty-handed, as 2nd place will receive a £150 Marston’s gift card, 3rd place will receive a £100 Marston’s gift card and all finalists will also receive a set of Luke Humphries Red Dragon darts. 

Neil Campbell, Chief Operating Officer at Marston’s, said: “We’ve seen the popularity of darts skyrocket in the last year, with new and exciting breakthrough players and the return of Bullseye. Dart boards are at the heart of so many of our pubs across the UK and we’re so excited to team up with Luke Humphries to give our guests an even bigger reason to visit and try their hand at winning a truly money-can’t-buy prize. Let the games begin!”

Pubs taking part

Pubs taking part include:

Swansea
Black Boy in Killay, Vivian Arms in Sketty, Hen Dderwen in Sketty Park and Cockett Inn in Cockett.

Neath Port Talbot
Twelve Knights in Port Talbot and Pontardawe Inn in Pontardawe.

Carmarthenshire
Sessile Oak in Llanelli, Tafarn-Y-Felin in Felinfoel, Great Western in Ammanford, Tafarn-Y-Phoenix in Gorslas, Caraway in Pensarn, Tafarn Tanerdy in Carmarthen and Savoy Country Inn in St Clears.

Bridgend
Seagull Hotel in Porthcawl, Ancient Briton in Porthcawl, Ty-Risha Alehouse in Pen-y-cae Red Dragon in Bridgend, Two Brewers in Bridgend, Cherry Laurel in Bridgend and Watermill in Ogmore.

Pembrokeshire
Kimberley Hotel in Milford Haven, Royal George in Pembroke, Dragon Inn in Narberth, Harbour Inn in Solva and Grove Hotel in St Davids.

#Darts #LukeHumphries #Marston #MarstonSBrewery

Marston’s become first national pub brand to serve Clarkson’s Lager

Jeremy Clarkson’s award-winning lager will be available in 105 pubs across the UK, after Marston’s becomes the first national pub brand to proudly pour pints of Hawkstone Premium Lager.

Pubs across England, Scotland and Wales will be serving the original Hawkstone Lager, which has been named ‘officially amazing’ after winning gold at the 2024 World Beer Awards, as well as scooping the title of country winner.

Jeremy Clarkson first began producing Hawkstone Lager at Diddly Squat Farm on the second series of Clarkson’s Farm, using his own spring barley to brew the pints. With tones of citrus, malt, and a subtle bitterness, the original Hawkstone Lager is bold in flavour, with a smooth, delicious finish.

Born in the Cotswolds, Hawkstone Lager is made with barley sourced directly from British farmers and is currently the fastest growing beer brand in the UK, after recently being placed at the 24th position in the Sunday Times 100.

Hawkstone is on a mission to shine a light on the incredible work that British farmers do to keep the country running and Marston’s is supporting the cause by making sure that the Hawkstone keeps flowing at its cosiest pubs across the UK.

Marston’s pubs have been showing their appreciation by inviting their local farming heroes to pour and enjoy the first pints of Hawkstone.

Pubs stretching the length and breadth of the country have marked the occasion; from the Conquerors March in Hastings, East Sussex, to the Pearl & Trawl in Wadebridge, Cornwall, and across the Prince of Wales bridge to the likes of the Mary Dillwyn in Fforestfach, Swansea.

At the Fallow Field in Telford, the first pints of Hawkstone were poured by members of the Brewing Society from Harper Adams University, specialists in food production and technology, and animal health and wellbeing. They were joined by members of Newport Young Farmers, who arrived at the Fallow Field in style, by tractor.

To celebrate that pints of the iconic lager will be available up and down the country, Hawkstone and Marston’s are also teaming up to give loyal fans, or the ‘Hawkstonians’, who are signed up to the subscription service an exclusive 15% off pints, in participating pubs until 31st December.

Founder of Hawkstone, Jeremy Clarkson, said: 

“Farming isn’t just ‘how’ Hawkstone is made, it’s ‘why’ it’s made. The more Hawkstone you drink, the more barley we buy from British farmers.

“That’s why we’re thrilled Marston’s is serving pints on draught in over 100 pubs nationwide. So visit your local Marston’s pub and enjoy a pint of Hawkstone and help us celebrate the farming community this festive season.”

Director of Operations at Marston’s, Claire Robertson, said:

“We’re so excited to now be pouring Hawkstone at over 100 of our cosy pubs across the country. We really admire the work that Hawkstone is doing to champion our farming communities and are proud to be able to do our bit to support.

“We work hard to give our guests the best possible experience and serve the very best quality food and beverages, we’re delighted to be adding the award-winning lager to our taps.”

A full list of Marston’s pubs can be found here.

#HawkstonePremiumLager #JeremyClarkson #MarstonSBrewery #MaryDillwyn

Marston’s and The Royal British Legion have partnered to create brand new, poppy-themed glasses to raise vital funds for veterans during this year’s Poppy Appeal.

From 26th October, pint and half-pint glasses will be available to purchase from 1,175 Marston’s pubs across the UK, including 179 in Wales. Pint glasses will cost £2.50 and half pint glasses will cost £2, with 100% of the profits going to The Royal British Legion. Glasses will be available to purchase empty, as well as with drinks to be enjoyed in pubs, before taking them home.

There will be 15 pubs in the Swansea area taking part in the campaign, including popular City Centre venues the Pump House and Coach House. Furthering out onto the outskirts of the town the Black Boy in Killay, Sketty Park’s Hen Dderwen and Fforestfach’s Mary Dillwyn are also part of the scheme amongst many others.

The poppy glasses are just one part of Marston’s month to remember, with pubs running awareness and fundraising events up and down the country, including everything from community breakfasts, to live music, to remember our veterans past and present. Traditional, pin-on poppies will also be available to purchase.

The Royal British Legion is the country’s largest Armed Forces charity, with over 180,000 members. Since 1921, the charity has been dedicated to supporting serving and ex-serving veterans, as well as the wider Armed Forces community including dependants and carers.

Each year, the Poppy Appeal is launched to raise funds for The Royal British Legion ahead of Remembrance Sunday, with donations being used to provide vital support to the community. 

2023 saw a 35% increase in the number of households requesting assistance, which led to The Royal British Legion supporting 27,000 people and awarding more than £18 million worth of grants to individuals in need.

Marston’s is dedicated to supporting the veteran community, and in February 2024 re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant, symbolising a continued commitment to supporting veterans and their families through employment opportunities. Several Marston’s pubs are currently being ran or staffed by ex-serving veterans.

Jared Sedgwick, Director of Operations from Marston’s, said:

“Brits have been known to take glasses home with them from the pub, but this time we’re encouraging it!

“We’re so proud to be working in partnership with The Royal British Legion to give our customers another way to raise awareness and crucial funds for veterans, who are such a large part of the Marson’s community.

“We want to welcome everyone to their local pub for what will be a month to remember, and join us in saying cheers to our heroes.”

Ben France, Head of Corporate Partnerships from The Royal British Legion, said:

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Marston’s to support Poppy Appeal this year and beyond. The fundraising taking place across their network of pubs will help transform the lives of those in need across our Armed Forces community”

To find your nearest participating pub, visit: https://www.marstonspubs.co.uk/month-to-remember/ 

[Lead image: the Relationship]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/10/23/swansea-pubs-taking-part-in-poppy-appeal-pint-glass-campaign/

#MarstonSBrewery #PoppyAppeal #RoyalBritishLegion