Chef Tom De Keyser, alongside The Tom Kerridge Group, will be opening The Chalk Freehouse on Monday 16 June.
Like The Hand and Flowers, The Chalk is a Greene King pub that is leased by the Group.
De Keyser, who has worked alongside Kerridge for 12 years, was most recently head chef at The Hand and Flowers in Marlow, which has two Michelin stars.
He also previously served as head chef at The Coach, another of Kerridge’s Marlow venues, which holds one Michelin star.
Last week, Kerridge revealed he would be closing The Butcher’s Tap in Chelsea citing the challenging climate of increasing costs.
This was the second Butcher’s Tap for the famous chef that opened in a 3,600 sq ft two-storey Victorian pub on Tyron Street, Chelsea. The site was formerly known as the Queen’s Head.
The pub was a spin off from the original Butcher’s Tap in Marlow but had more emphasis on drinks and did not have a takeaway butcher’s service, although customers could choose their cuts from a meat fridge.
However, The Tom Kerridge Group said that “after careful consideration” it made the “difficult” decision to close the pub.
It said the team had worked hard to make the concept work, but accepted “nothing is a given” in the challenging climate hospitality businesses now face.
Increasing costs
A statement said: “Increasing costs demand a match in revenue and turnover that has not materialised at the site, providing an opportunity to regroup, rethink and rebuild.”
The new Chalk Freehouse concept will undergo a light refurbishment before opening.
Leading front-of-house at The Chalk is Lourdes Dooley, general manager of all three of Kerridge’s Marlow venues - The Hand and Flowers, The Coach, and The Butcher’s Tap and Grill.
The venue will have a three-course menu, available for lunch and dinner, with comforting classics.
Snacks are priced between £5.50 to £16 while starters are between £9 to £19.50.
Guests can enjoy Cheese & Onion Scone with Whipped Mustard and Herb Butter; and Spiced Chicken Thighs with Tarragon & Caper Mayonnaise in either the bar or dining room.
There is also The Hand and Flowers’ signature Chicken & Duck Liver Parfait with Poultry Jelly & Apricot Chutney available.
Mains (£21-£31.50) will highlight both land and sea, from a Pork Chop Schnitzel with Smoked Bacon Cabbage and a Fried Duck Egg; to the Curry Roasted Baby Chicken with Braised Butter Beans and Preserved Lemon.
The Chalk’s blackboard will also feature daily specials such as Olive Oil Baked Turbot with Bone Gravy and Gooseberry Dressing ‘Vierge’; and Fillet of Beef On The Bone with Garlic Butter.
For those dining at lunchtime, a Set Menu is also available, at two courses for £18.50 or three courses for £25.
Gastro pub dining
The wine list has been put together by Gavin Hills, also from The Hand and Flowers, and offers a selection that blends Old World tradition with New World.
Glasses start from £7 and bottles from £42. There will be a wide choice of beers available from lagers and IPAs, including The Hand and Flowers’ very own; to stouts, ciders and non-alcoholics.
The “Monthly Special” on cask provides an option for regulars looking for something different.
De Keyser said: “I’m so excited to be taking on the next stage of my career within the Tom Kerridge Group and opening a new site.
“Tom has taught me so much about proper gastropub dining and what it is to create truly brilliant food within the context of a pub menu - I can’t wait to bring everything I’ve learned to Chelsea for The Chalk’s opening.”
He added: “I’m ever grateful for Tom’s continued guidance and know that together, with the support of a great team including colleagues like Lourdes and Gavin, we’ll open something great in West London.”
Kerridge added: “Ever since I met Tom DK 13 years ago, I knew he’d go far within our Group. He’s brought so much to both The Coach and The Hand and Flowers over the years and I have full confidence that he’ll do the same with The Chalk.
“He’s worked really hard on this new concept creating some absolutely standout dishes, and I know with the help of our incredibly loyal team he’ll do brilliantly in bringing it to life.”
Kerridge added: “It’s great to see Tom opening his first standalone site – it’s a true celebration of all the hard work and dedication he’s put into his career so far. I can’t wait for the doors to open.”
