The duo will take the reins at the end of this month (31 March) from Nigel Sutcliffe and James McLean of Truffle Hunting after four years of their ownership.
The Crown will close briefly in September to allow Simon and Deborah to create ‘Bouchon Bonwick’ - a celebration of classy French cooking of the old religion with significantly interesting wines, they said.
The family have previously run a number of successful pubs in Berkshire including the Crown at Burchetts Green, which held a Michelin star and was listed on Restaurant‘s list at the top of the 100 places to eat in the UK and the Top 50 Gastropubs list.
Historic charm
The Michelin-starred pub was sold in May 2022 to the Beehive chef Dominic Chapman.
On the new venture, Simon Bonwick said: “Everyone who knows us, knows our connection to Bray. The call to adventure for us was too strong to ignore or turn away from.
“The Crown is steeped in our kind of historic charm, the kind of charm we love.
“We will make the ‘Bonwick’ mark here, which reflects beautiful cooking of the old religion, exceptional service, all bound together with super cleanliness.”
Alluring industry
Deborah Bonwick said they were ready and excited to embark on the journey in the increasingly challenging pub environment.
She added: “The pub industry remains alluring to us. The industry has continually shown its innovative excellence through the pandemic and has displayed fortitude through Brexit, a war and a cost-of-living crisis.
“The only way for pubs through clear direction is upwards, surely!”
Previously, Simon Bonwick had the Dew Drop Inn, Hurley, Berkshire, which he moved on from in July 2024 after 18 months at the stove.
In August last year, the chef started a residency at the Oarsman in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, which is owned by Truffle Hunting’s Nigel Sutcliffe and James McLean, and is set to continue alongside its expansion into other spaces.
