Moulton Chapel pub serves up tasty and locally sourced meals

Reporter Kat Wakefield visits the Jolly Farmer in Moulton Chapel.

I arrived at the Jolly Farmer ready for a feast fit for a king (or queen) and boy, did I get one!

The pub was taken over late last year by Eddie Percival and Tony Higgins who have recently brought chef Shawn Beresford in to provide delicious, hearty food.

“I don’t want people to go home hungry, I want people to feel like they’ve had a proper meal,” said Shawn.

After two courses, there was no denying that my friend and I had eaten a ‘proper meal’.

To start, I opted for the salmon and crayfish mousse while my friend ate the fresh local asparagus with a lightly cured egg and lemon butter glaze.

We both fell silent after our first mouthful as we savoured the delicious food.

My mousse was light and tasty and served with some gorgeous toast. My friend’s asparagus was delicious too – and she says the star of the show was the wonderfully rich egg.

For our main meals, my friend ordered the beef bourguigon, which was filled with locally sourced beef, in a rich red wine sauce packed with pearl onions and lardons.

As less of a meateater, I opted for the roasted butternut squash which was filled with vegetables and rice and topped with vegan cheese.

Both dishes were served with new potatoes and fresh seasonal vegetables.

I have no shame in admitting that my meal defeated me – it was a whopper. And although we couldn’t fit a desert in, we spotted the sticky toffee pudding which looked divine. There was also an Eton Mess on offer along with stewed fresh rhubarb.

Shawn explained that all of his ingredients are locally sourced.For him, fresh home made food is what is important. It’s not about fancy plate art, it’s about good food and this is something which shone through in his cooking.

It’s not often you rave about a new potato, but his were possibly the best I have ever eaten. And it shows that if you can nail the basics, you’re on to a winner.But what was the secret?

“Just butter, lemon and garlic,” said Shawn. Delicious!

With vegan options already on offer, Shawn is also hoping to make the menu almost completely gluten free which is something I know many people will appreciate.

On June 30, there will be a special dinner and talk event held at the Jolly Farmer. There will be a talk from WWT Welney with a set menu, all for £27 a head.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Jolly and I’d recommend trying it out if you’re looking for tasty, hearty, home cooked food in a nice environment.