Tom Kerridge: 'It’s not about success, it’s about getting better every day'

Kerridge, who runs the two Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers in Marlow, said he believes pubs need to get proactive when it comes to getting people back through the door, with events like the Restaurant Show a great way to find inspiration.

“Pubs need to change because they are closing. People are drinking less and pubs are in an industry that offers booze, but we also offer food and I think we need to adapt to how people’s social habits are changing,” he explained.

With the lines between good food pubs and restaurants increasingly blurred, the chef said he believes there are plenty of opportunities for pubs to shine.

“More and more restaurants are taking away the whole fine dining ethos of pre-starters and tablecloths, and making it more relaxed,” he said.

“It is about good food in a comfortable environment. A pub is perfect for that, it just has that feeling – you walk in and know you are in Great Britain.”

Kerridge said that the success of The Hand & Flowers has not changed the way he and his wife Beth run their pub, or their ambitions for the future.

“When we opened the doors on March 1 2005 we wanted to get better the next day, and that is still exactly the same now almost 10 years later, we are still trying to get better every day," he said.

He put their achievements down to constant reinvestment, self-belief and determination, as well the dedication of their staff.

The chef also spoke about their latest new venture The Coach, which will be completely non-bookable and serve a menu of small dishes throughout the day.

"We want to make it accessible and vibrant, and put back a little bit into the hands of local people because you are not going to travel across the world for somewhere you might not get a booking," he said.