Spice boys cook up a storm at the Crown

A series of high profile guest chefs at a Northamptonshire pub is putting the business on the culinary map.

Last week saw the team from Atul Kochhar's Michelin-starred London restaurant Benares relocate to the kitchen of the Crown, at Weston.

Benares head chef Naven Prasad oversaw a four course meal for 85 of the pub's customers, with lamb shank as the main course - but not without overcoming a few obstacles.

Robert Grover, licensee of the Crown, said: "It's amazing that despite agreeing to cook for us on the Friday before the event, following ill health preventing legendary chef Udit Sarkhel cooking on the night and a fire closing Benares on the Saturday, we still had Naven cooking for us."

William Sitwel - who as well as being a local at the pub is editor of the Waitrose Food Illustrated magazine and a Masterchef judge - introduced the Michelin-starred chefs to the diners.

Grover said: "The food was fantastic and reflected the fusion of modern British dishes with an Indian twist that Atul Kochhar is renowned for."

The evening was the third in a series of nights at the Crown featuring well known chefs. Previous evenings have featured Mark Hix of the Hix Oyster and Chop House, London, and Henry Harris of Soho House Group.

Next up is acclaimed pan-Asian chef Ian Pengelley, who will be setting up shop at the Crown for an evening in November.