Renowned chef and judge on The Great British Menu, Tom Kerridge, made a bold financial move with his wife Beth Cullen-Kerridge to secure the tenancy for their gastropub, The Hand and Flowers.
Having previously worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, Kerridge set his sights on opening a gastropub and identified The Hand and Flowers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire as the perfect location. However, the couple needed £70,000 to secure the pub’s tenancy.
In a risky move, the Kerridges decided to remortgage their home by falsely informing the bank that they intended to build an extension. This approach allowed them to obtain the funds required to secure the pub. Kerridge admitted to circumventing the bank’s regulations and maxing out two credit cards to fulfill their goal. They proceeded to purchase the pub’s contents and refurbished the establishment, even acquiring a second-hand kitchen online.
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Despite the initial challenges and the bank eventually discovering their actions, the couple managed to overcome the financial gamble by paying back the borrowed sum within a year. Their efforts led to The Hand and Flowers being awarded a coveted Michelin star, followed by a second star in 2012, making it the first pub to hold such a prestigious accolade.
In addition to his successful venture with The Hand and Flowers, Kerridge, now 51, has expanded his culinary portfolio by opening another gastropub, The Coach, in Marlow in 2015, which also received a Michelin star.