Restaurant & Bar Awards 2024 | 59 A warm, mouthwatering meal next to a crackling open fire is waiting for you at The Lamb Inn, Little Milton. This 16th century building is full of unique charm and authentic character that is guaranteed to make any moment spent here unforgettable. We speak with owner Ben Moss about the gastropub’s journey since he gained ownership just two years ago. Best Upcoming Gastropub 2024 Oxfordshire & LUXlife Customer Service Excellence Award 2024 The Lamb Inn Rating and a 5* Cask Marquee Level due to the determination for greatness displayed by the staff. Although Ben’s work experience comes from advertising, he has had years of hands-on experience from growing up in the hospitality industry by way of family-run restaurants in London. The Lamb Inn is a 20-year dream for Ben, and a testament to the skills he learned growing up. Joining Ben in the kitchen is Head Chef Nat Berney, who was recently at the Belmond Group’s Le Manoir before his time at The Lamb Inn. Speaking of his Head Chef, Ben proudly tells us, “His plating and cookery are what makes eating with us feel special.” The gastropub will be releasing a summer garden menu alongside a curated wine list, as well as tailoring its services to reflect the stylings of the Inn. These developments will reflect the true passion for good food and good service held by Ben and his team. The business is currently looking into expanding to a second site under parent company Montgomery Hospitality Group and continue its trajectory for a reputation of excellence. We look forward to the upcoming months for this upcoming gastropub and can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will bring for The Lamb Inn. Contact: Ben Moss Company: The Lamb Inn Web Address: www.lambinnlittlemilton.co.uk riginally built in the 16th century, The Lamb Inn has been a public house since 1847. With a thatched roof, stone walls, and wooden beams running through the ceilings, the gastropub has done an excellent job in preserving the beautiful historic features that make this building so unique. The restaurant seats 30 covers inside, 30 on its patio area, and additionally has a stunning beer garden that had been nurtured and developed by its previous owners. Owner Ben Moss bought the pub in 2022 with the intention of elevating the pub’s traditional menu whilst staying true to the quaint village style of Little Milton, Oxfordshire. When Ben arrived at The Lamb Inn, the pub was serving mostly passing trade with its ‘pub grub’ style menu. Ben wanted to shift the business’ clientele from being exclusively local and passing trade and gain a reputation as a destination pub on a larger scale. He worked closely with Chef Ruth Hansom, owner of Hansom in Yorkshire to curate a menu that gave a taste of the kitchen’s future without causing local upset. The Lamb Inn strives for consistency in its quality and service. Whilst maintaining the ‘pub vibes’ of the building, dinner services are treated formally with candlelight, table settings, and music from the Vinyl player. All dishes are made of the highest quality ingredients, sourced from a mixture of local vendors and top-rated suppliers to Michelin restaurants. This blend ensures for good quality food from suppliers they can trust. The gastropub uses a wood-fired oven fuelled only by locally sourced oak wood that amplifies the complex flavours of the food. The hard work that Ben and the team have put into reviving The Lamb Inn was recognised with the award of two AA-Rosettes, which after just two years of operation truly highlights the impeccable quality being achieved by the gastropub. Excellent service is achieved by creating a workplace environment in which staff feel respected and supported. Ben describes the internal culture at The Lamb Inn, saying, “It is the small, family style of teamwork we have that enables us all to keep pushing ourselves to better levels.” The team are hospitality driven and host regular meetings to develop product knowledge and service quality. Ben reflects on the importance of support when growing a new business, he says, “Being supported by Estrella Damm by being taken to industry events is key to helping us grow as well as networking.” The pub boasts a Level 5 Food Hygiene O THE LAMB INN
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