The new boss of a Michelin-starred restaurant has no intention of keeping the world-famous award – opting instead for an “old-school pub landlord” approach.
Elliot Hewitt recently took the reins at the Bridge Arms near Canterbury, which has held a star since 2022 – one of just four spots in the county to do so.
But already, the ambitious dad has flagged with the Michelin Guide that the casual fine-dining restaurant is under new management – and he plans to transform the spot into a traditional village pub.
“So we have notified Michelin there’s been a change, and I’m very open in saying we are not chasing the star, that’s part of being more affordable, more accessible to everybody,” he said.
“Ultimately, what would happen is inspectors will come, look at our menu and see we are not going for a star.
“Or, they may turn up and inspect between now and then and see what’s changed.
“It’s not fine dining, but there’s still a special occasion or date night offering in the restaurant.
“On top of that, we’re also offering a classics menu, which really drums home that we are still a pub, everyone’s welcome, and we’re being accommodating.”
After more than four years at the Bridge Arms’ helm, highly acclaimed chefs Daniel and Natasha Smith, who also hold a star at nearby Fordwich Arms, have stepped back.
The pair handed the lease to Mr Hewitt, a former colleague at the Forwich Arms, who more recently worked as general manager for The Rose and Blue Pelican in Deal and the Zetland Arms in Kingsdown.
Describing his fresh approach to the high street inn, he said: “I feel like the slightly more old-school landlord has left hospitality a little bit, and that’s something I want to train myself to be.
“People have less money to spend these days, so you want to get the bang for your buck, and that’s created by having a community here.”
Previously called the White Horse, the pub suddenly became empty in 2020.
Meanwhile, Dan and Natasha Smith, celebrated for their success at the award-winning Fordwich Arms, unveiled ambitious plans for the venue after it was vandalised.
Just months after opening, the young couple had unlocked the pub’s full potential and won its first Michelin star.
But now is the time to simplify, says Mr Hewitt, who plans to scale back luxury dishes and cut prices without suddenly rocking the boat.
“I’ve inherited a team that has such a fantastic reputation,” he says.
“I have to be very careful that we don’t come in and totally change absolutely everything because that doesn’t work either.
“We have to be clever, and over time, the menu is going to change as we find our feet.”
Stressing “it’s all about bringing old pubs back,” he said it is “not just having mass companies buying up these old buildings and making them soulless.”
He added that the Josper grill, a unique type of indoor charcoal oven and grill, known for its distinct smoky flavour, will still be used for meat.
Having taken over just last week, prices have already been slashed, with plans in the pipeline for a children’s menu.
Previously, a steak would cost anywhere from £35 to £40 – now it ranges from £20 to £30.
Along for the ride is new head chef David Gadd, who was at The Rose and spent six years at the Michelin-starred The Sportsman in Seasalter near Whitstable.
Mr Hewitt, who became a parent last year, drafted him in amid plans to create a space where everyone was welcome, for both special and casual occasions.
“I want the garden and bar full of families on Sunday for the bank holiday,” he says.
“But ultimately, just because you come in with the kids doesn’t mean you don’t want a really good steak or a really good pork chop.
“That’s the beauty of having such an amazing chef with a Michelin-starred background.
“Like at The Rose, we created an amazing menu, alongside one of Portugal’s most influential chefs, Nuno Mendes.
Describing his laid-back menu designed to be enjoyed with a bottle of wine while watching the fire, he said: “Those moments are what we want to create here.”
Mr Hewitt, who plans to open seven days a week in the future, says the new venture is nerve-racking.
“After five years in a more operational role, I wanted to get back to talking to customers, locals,” he added.
“I’ve been doing this for fifteen years, and I’ve been saying from day one, ‘I will have my own pub’.
“It’s thanks to family and friends, and I’m just super excited to get open, meet the locals and see where this journey can go.”
Meanwhile, this is far from the end of the road for Dan and Natasha, who will remain as part owners having served their final meal at the village pub on August 10.
Dan told KentOnline: “When we first opened the Bridge Arms, going for big accolades was never our intention.
“We wanted something more casual than Fordwich.
“Elliot was part of the opening team at Fordwich, and we always got along really well, and we got wind that he was looking for his next steps. This seemed like the perfect opportunity for his first venture.
“We’ll still be in the background, but it’s Elliot’s project, and we’re here to offer any advice should he want it.
“Economically, it’s tough, purse strings are tighter, people are spending less, and you’re constantly fighting companies that can deliver food to your door much cheaper.
“It’s important to be versatile, and what Elliot’s doing is exactly that, a really good product at a really reasonable price.”
Their focus will shift back to their other Michelin-starred venture, the Fordwich Arms, which they took over seven years ago, with Daniel adding it will be “business as usual”.
“Fordwich was our flagship from the beginning. We love the site and everything about it,” he said.
“Destination dining is still a huge thing, and we’re fortunate we get lots of people from all over the world to Fordwich.
“From our point of view, we had Fordwich already, so it seems counterproductive to have something three miles down the road doing the same thing.
“The direction Elliot wants to take the Bridge Arms in will create a welcoming place, but also somewhere you’re able to go to more than once a month.”
The Bridge Arms relaunched on August 15 and is currently open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 10.30pm.
