"It's time to bring back the ‘too good to be true’ offer": Tom Kerridge launches £15 menu

02-Sep-2022 - Last updated on 02-Sep-2022 at 08:12 GMT

Tom Kerridge has responded to the rise in the cost of living with the introduction of a £15, two-course set lunch across three of his restaurants.

Launching from Monday (5 September) the £15 lunch menu will run across Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at The Corinthia, the one Michelin starred The Coach in Marlow, and the Bull & Bear in Manchester with the same menu running concurrently in all sites.

A third course can be added for an additional £7.50.

Dishes will champion classic pub favourites or even school dinners, according to Kerridge, and will include the likes of cottage pie, lasagne and caramelised onion sausage with mash followed by old school desserts of spotted dick, jam roly poly and crumble and custard.

The aim, he says, is to get the excitement and buzz back into restaurants without guests having the fear of spending too much money.

“Back in 2008, when the country hit a recession and people were very worried about the money in their pockets, I was deep in the kitchen trying to work out how to strengthen and lay the foundations for a young business,” says Kerridge.

“Beth [his wife] and I came up with what sounded like a ludicrous idea but could be fun…’why don’t we do a set lunch menu that’s price feels like it is too good to be true.’ So, we launched a one choice lunch menu that made absolutely no money but filled the pub with noise, excitement and laughter. It was incredibly motivating for staff and the team, and it felt like the guests were having such a great time as it was such value for money.

“Now, in 2022, it feels like those times are here again. You can’t turn on the TV, look at social media or read a newspaper without the grim news of the cost-of-living crisis. So, it is time to bring back the ‘too good to be true’ offer.”

The announcement follows Kerridge’s recent defence for charging £87 for steak and chips at his two Michelin-starred The Hand & Flowers in Marlow saying that the price reflected the amount he paid for the meat as well the cost of staffing and running a high-end restaurant. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you want to ride in a Bentley, it costs money," he said.

For many years The Hand & Flowers served a set lunch menu for under £20, making it one of the best value Michelin-starred restaurants in the country.