RURAL Kingham may only have a population of about 900 people, but it has come top with two entries in this year’s Good Food Guide.
Its two eateries – The Wild Rabbit inn and the Kingham Plough – are both included in this year’s edition of the prestigious guide, with the Plough making number 40 on its first ever Top 50 Pubs listing.
Aside from the restaurant and pub, the village near Chipping Norton has a village shop, Kingham Primary School, a Royal British Legion club, a village hall and a park.
Blur’s former bass player Alex James lives on a sheep and dairy farm just outside the village, which hosted The Big Feastival event last month. Now its Wild Rabbit inn is included in the 64th Good Food Guide after only opening a year ago.
General manager Graham Williams said: “The Good Food Guide had received reviews of us from customers and then invited us to apply, which was a process of us sending off menus and things.
“It means an affirmation of what we’re trying to do here and a recognition of the team’s hard work over the last 12 months.”
When the inn, owned by Lady Carole Bamford, opened, it was labelled ‘the poshest pub in Britain’.
Mr Williams said: “We don’t set out to be the poshest pub in Britain, it was a handle that was given to us when we opened. I don’t think we’re proud of the title, but it makes us smile.”
While most other restaurants are eager for new customers, Mr Williams joked: “We are very busy already, I’m not sure we can cope with any more. We’ve been busy since the day we opened.”
- Emily Watkins
Emily Watkins is the owner of the Kingham Plough and winning chef on BBC2 cookery contest Great British Menu. She said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be in the top 50 – it’s really exciting.
“Kingham has become a bit of a foodie place.”
In total six Oxfordshire eateries have entered the guide – which goes on sale today – for the first time, compared to four which made it into last year’s version.
- Johnny Pugsley, left, and Damion Farah
Jacob’s Inn in Wolvercote has also only been open for a year. Owner Damion Farah said: “We’re delighted, it’s a great thing for us in our first year.
“It gets our name out there so people can hear about us and travel to us. Because we’re in a village we don’t get much passing trade, it’s more about people hearing about us and coming specifically.”
Fellow new entrant is the Fallowfields Country House Hotel in Kingston Bagpuize.
Owner Anthony Lloyd said: “It’s very exciting.”
For Bryn Jones, the owner of The Oxford Arms in Kirtlington, the inclusion is a big boost.
He said: “I’m the chef here as well so it’s a very personal compliment.
“This is good news for us because it will hopefully mean more business for us.”
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