New Chef and New Menu at The Woolpack, Elstead

Sept. 21, 2010 - PRLog -- Surrey, 21 September  2010, pub foodies from across Surrey and Hampshire have been returning to The Woolpack, in the picturesque Surrey village of Elstead, following the arrival of their new Head Chef Adi Shore.
Adi joined The Woolpack at the end of July as part of new landlady, Jenni Sherratt’s, strategy to return the pub to its former glory.  In this time, the kitchen has been overhauled and the menu transformed.  The new seasonal menu was launched two weeks ago, and proved to be such a success that the kitchen ran out of food during its first weekend.
On joining the pub, Adi had a very clear vision of where he wanted to take the menu.  In his words it must be ‘simple, fresh and local’.  He has a very honest approach to cooking, which is very apparent in his style of menu.  Some of the favourites include his three steak and onion pie, his chunky fish pie, and his signature Thai curries (where he spent time travelling and finessing his recipe).
Landlady Jenni took over The Woolpack in December 2009, inheriting a very mixed reputation.  Jenni commented, ‘I remembered how the pub used to be some five years ago, and I wanted to restore it to its former glory.  The food was so good, you literally had to queue for a table, and customers would travel from across Surrey and Hampshire to come here.’  Jenni has been very careful in her approach to relaunching the pub.  While it has been redecorated inside and out, great sympathy has been given to its history and wool industry relics of bygone years.  ‘Our strategy from day one has been about good food’, Jenni said, ‘and we are very lucky to have found Adi’.  
Adi has previously worked as a Head Chef in a busy town pub in Eastbourne, and Sous Chef in a large kitchen committed to using fresh food.  Local, fresh and seasonal will be his continued focus at The Woolpack.
With the most recent Beer & Pub Association report highlighting that 39 pubs are closing every week, The Woolpack will have to continue to do everything it can to stay ahead of the game.  Its returned success is in its infancy, but for those who remember how The Woolpack used to be, this will be a welcome return.

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About The Woolpack, Elstead
The Woolpack is a traditional country pub situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Elstead in south west Surrey.

Originally a wool exchange dating to the 17th century, The Woolpack has been many things, including a butcher’s shop and a bicycle repairer’s, before becoming the pub it is today.


The Woolpack has undergone refurbishment inside and out, while still retaining its historic charm. You can relax in the welcoming bar admiring the weaving shuttles and other remnants of the wool industry, dine in the restaurant or enjoy the spacious garden.

The menu features locally sourced seasonal produce, offering both a bar and full restaurant menu. Fresh fish features heavily, although meat lovers won’t be disappointed with the ever changing specials board. Real ales are served direct from the cask, rotating Fortyniner, Abbot, Hobgoblin, Brakspear, London Pride and Youngs, and there is an extensive wine list.