Former sous chef returns to run Hermit of Redcoats pub

Seth Perry worked at The Hermit of Redcoats from 2013 to 2015, and now he is back to run the Titmore Green pub alongside his wife Anna and former colleague Simone Scola, who will be helping him run the kitchen.

The return is an emotional one for Seth, who has plenty of fond memories from his time working at The Hermit, and he hopes to help return it to former glories.

"It's a strange feeling because things have come full circle," he told The Comet.

"I've got really fond memories of my time here as a sous chef, and we achieved a lot. We won the Best Gastro Pub Award at the Hertfordshire Food and Drink Awards, having turned this drinking pub into one of the best food establishments in the area.

"To come back, it doesn't feel like a new chapter, but almost like picking up where I left off, obviously being a lot more in control and doing it our way.

Seth hard at work in the kitchen. (Image: Anna Perry)

"Our hope for the Hermit is to get it back to what it used to be in its heyday, but with our stamp on it.

"It's exciting and emotional but such a good feeling, and to do it with my wife and daughter here is something I've dreamt of for a long time."

Seth and Anna took control of the pub on October 8, and their new menu has already proved a big hit with hungry punters.

"We've got a few pub classics as general crowd pleasers, but we've added our own little twist to them," he said.

"We've got a scotch egg, but we used a bit of sausage meat and nduja to give it that little bit of warmth. We've got breaded whitebait on which sells quite well, and then things like butterfly king prawns with a thermidor butter and a hermit bread roll.

"The venison dish, which is a haunch steak - seared off during service - with a steamed venison suet pie, potato and smoked garlic puree, braised red cabbage, dark chocolate jus and cavolo nero, seems to be really popular at the moment.

The new menu at the pub has proved popular with punters. (Image: Anna Perry)

"People come to the pub for staples though, so we've had a lot of good reviews on our fish and chips and our burger, which is a bit more than your average burger. 5 oz beef patty, 10-hour smoked beef brisket, maple cured bacon, aged cheddar cheese, so you get more meat than you usually would.

"On Saturday, we sold lots of our lemon sole, which comes with celeriac cheddar and anchovies gratin, in a red wine sauce. It sounds like it would be an odd flavour combination, but they work really well together.

"It's a varied menu, but we think we've got something for everyone."

The couple previously ran a popular and well-reviewed pub in Northamptonshire, and Anna is excited to see their new venture flourish and be "at the forefront of the community".

"We're so excited and really happy to have this opportunity. It's a beautiful pub that lends itself to a really good food offering. This is a foody area so we're really excited to be part of that," she said.

Seth pouring the first pint before the pub reopened last week. (Image: Anna Perry)

"The community element of pubs is also massively important for me. At our old pub, we used to have book clubs, films clubs and the parish council used to even meet there, so it was a real hub and we want to continue that here.

"It's about learning what works for your community, and we've been putting feelers out there. We want it to be at the forefront of this community."

The couple also have a young daughter, Ada, and Anna believes the family unit will help them be successful.

"We've got lots of friends and family around us which makes a difference because it's very full on. Having a pub is a lifestyle which we love, but it's definitely a lifestyle."