Former Michelin-starred chef Josh Eggleton and his sister Holly have revealed their plans for the transformation of the acclaimed Pony & Trap restaurant in Chew Magna, Somerset.
They are launching a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to raise £100,000 to complete their vision to reopen later this year as the Pony Chew Valley, a “produce-led restaurant, event venue, cookery school and kitchen garden.”
Josh and Holly, who also own the Pony Bistro on North Street, Bristol, state that they are “looking to create food experiences that bring people together in a space to inspire joy, family connection and collaboration.”
The refurbishment will create a brand new Garden Room, seating up to 120 guests for dining and as a wedding venue. They are planning to serve produce-led a la carte menus Wednesday to Friday in the Garden Room. Available for bookings and walk-ins, this will showcase “seasonal produce from local land and waters.” Similar to the Pony & Trap’s a la carte or Pub Classics menu, they will be “focusing even more on ensuring our produce is as local and in-season as possible, and dishes are informal and uncomplicated.” Guests can enjoy a walk through the gardens and orchard before or after dining.
Special events are planned for the weekends under “The Pony Presents” name. They will use outstanding local produce from trusted suppliers and the Pony Garden. Events will include:
- Steak Night: the finest, most traceable beef from the Chew Valley reared and hung with purpose. Choose your cut from the whole cow.
- Fish & Shellfish Dinner: a Pony favourite. A true celebration of the best seafood the South West Coasts have to offer.
- Sunday Roasts: with a focus on premium sharing cuts of meat. Expect a lamb leg for your whole table, or a whole chicken and a forerib for six to share.
The Pony Private Dining Room will host up to 12 people “to create intimate dining experiences which focus on food provenance and connecting food with our guests.”
The Kickstarter fund will be used to complete the building of the new spaces. Rewards for people donating include exclusive first chance booking at the restaurant and for special events, invitations to the opening party plus the chance to host your private event at the venue.
The crowdfunding campaign goes live at the end of July with the restaurant expected to open in September this year for dining, weddings and events. A cookery school is also planned to open later in the autumn or winter.
Find out more at theponychewvalley.co.uk.
