Jamie Barnett joins Exclusive Collection pub

Jamie Barnett has joined The Castle Inn in Castle Combe as head chef, bringing with him a menu that changes to adapt to the seasons.

Located in the centre of the picturesque village, The Castle Inn is a destination 12th century pub with 12 ensuite rooms, owned by The Exclusive Collection.

“I’m thrilled to have joined the team at The Castle Inn and am excited to create and deliver a menu that pays homage to traditional gastro-dining, using quality local produce from trusted suppliers and delivering each dish with warm hospitality," says Barnett, who has previously worked at Lucknam Park, Lygon Arms and Bowood. "For me, pub fare isn’t about being fancy, it’s about imparting great cookery and letting the produce speak for itself.”

Current pub snacks include home-cured Bresaola and padron peppers, and salt beef croquettes and aioli. There are starters of twice-baked double barrelled cheese souffle; Castle Inn scotch egg, with barbecue beans and burnt ends; and beetroot-cured salmon, fennel, pickled raddish and pickled beetroot.

Classic mains include the Castle burger with cheese, bacon jam, house pickles, burger sauce and fries; Wiltshire venison steamed pudding with wild mushroom, sticky red cabbage and mashed potato; Steak frites with bearnaise and watercress; and Cotswold battered catch of the day with hand cut chips, mushy peas and tartare reign supreme. 

Opposite The Castle Inn is sibling Exclusive Collection property, The Manor House, a 14th century hotel and golf club, also home to Michelin-starred restaurant, Bybrook, overseen by Rob Potter. 

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