Our hosts are on the road again as Ben and Frazer visit The Snooty Fox in Lowick. The pub boasts a picturesque location, a country-industrial interior and a wide array of beers and other drinks to choose from. The pair are joined by Richard Gordon, the owner of the pub and the Greedy Gordons Pub Group.
Ben and Richard have known each other through the Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards for a while. The Snooty Fox has won multiple awards and is now sponsoring a category at the event.
The Snooty Fox
The pub was recently on everyone’s lips, as the cast of hugely popular cult film Saltburn were reported to have regularly eaten there during the filming, even holding their wrap party there. The Emerald Fennell-directed psychological thriller was shot at the nearby Drayton House, and now fans of the film from around the country visiting the location are also taking the time to visit the revered pub.
Richard’s Career
Richard’s career began as a chef straight out of school, learning traditional French cooking. Mostly working his way up in Northamptonshire (apart from a brief excursion in the South of France), he now owns several pubs and restaurants throughout the county, as well as an online cigar business.
Now having over 100 people on his payroll, Richard is trying to do right by his employees. When he was coming up, work-life balance for chefs and other hospitality workers was non-existent. Chefs in particular expected to work gruelling hours.
His staff are on four-day weeks, and it’s clearly having an impact on their staff retention. 60% of their staff have worked for the group for three or more years.
Northamptonshire Restaurant Recommendations
Ben asks for some recommendations both on the Snooty Fox’s menu and at other restaurants around Northamptonshire. Locally, Richard puts the spotlight on Nuovo, a traditional Italian restaurant.
On his menu, he highlights the local game pithivier, which features a cornucopia of local meats: pheasant from Lamport, fallow deer from Boughton, and pigeons from Woodford. The menu updates almost every week, which Richard says is led by himself, but he always gives the chef opportunities for input, allowing them to add their flair and have a stake in the dish.
Sticking with the pastry theme, Richard also highlights their pies. They’re getting a bit of local buzz. There’s even a waiting list for the pre-made ones in their shop!
The podcast rounds up with the dinner party question: who will Richard have around his table? It’s a predictably foodie focussed entourage, with Marcus Wearing, Gordon Ramsay, Raymond Blanc and one of the Roux brothers to round out the selection. Ben says he wouldn’t want to serve that table!
Watch and listen to the podcast here:
