The Royal Oak has been owned and run by Jon and Jo Oldham since October 1987. Jon has always had a special interest in wine, with expertise developed in the successful wine bar he managed in London before deciding he wanted to run his own business.
He regularly heads off to France, Italy and Spain meeting wine producers (see the slideshow above) and perhaps more importantly, tasting their products! He is also a keen chef and likes nothing more than to take over the reins in the kitchen when one of the chefs is on holiday.
Jon and Jo are backed up by a loyal team of staff, many with long service; there are at least three families with three generations working at the Royal Oak, grandmother, mother, grandsons and daughters.
The team is led by Frederick Doussin, the Master Chef who has worked at the Royal Oak for twelve years and is responsible for maintaining the superb standard of cuisine for which the Royal Oak is noted. He is supported in the kitchen by Salvador Fernandez-Dominguez, who has worked here for eleven years - and can conjour up a mean paella!
Lisel Phillips is in charge of the wonderful homemade desserts and has worked for the Royal Oak for an incredible 21 years - with breaks to have her family. There is a hardworking team of sous chefs and porters including Caroline Redford and Sheena Bennett. Barbara KIng is responsible for making the famous Royal Oak Suet Pudding and homemade burgers.
The bar is managed during the week by Julie King, assisted by Monika Pilat, who also looks after the servicing of the four letting rooms.
