Glorious 12th: Celebrating the start of grouse season

At The Jugged Hare in London, Chef Rafael Liuth has prepared for one of the most exciting dates in the culinary calendar - the Glorious Twelfth.

This historic day, falling on August 12 each year, marks the official start of the UK’s grouse shooting season.

For chefs and customers, it signals the arrival of one of the UK's most celebrated game birds, eagerly anticipated for its distinctive flavour and rich tradition.

Located at 49 Chiswell Street, The Jugged Hare opened in a renovated Grade II listed brewery in 2012.

The Staff Canteen sat down with Raf to discuss the importance of Glorious Twelfth in the game season.

The traditional preparation of grouse and its appeal

Raf explains why The Jugged Hare continues to honour the heritage of grouse with its signature approach.

He said: "This year, again, we’re going to serve the grouse the traditional way, just as we have for the past few years. We’ll be preparing it with grouse liver pâté en croûte, served alongside cabbage, bacon, and bread sauce. It’s a combination that’s been a favourite with our guests over the years, and it really brings out the flavour of the bird. There’s something about keeping those classic elements that connects people to the heritage of game cookery - it’s comforting, it’s indulgent, and it’s a real celebration of the season."

why grouse is so significant to the restaurant

For Raf, grouse is more than just another seasonal dish - it's central to The Jugged Hare’s identity.

He added: "We’ve become well known for our game here, and we make a real effort to serve only what is as British as possible, working closely with trusted suppliers and gamekeepers. Of all the game we serve to our residents, I would say grouse is one of the most important. It’s not just about the flavour - though it’s exceptional - it’s about tradition, about supporting British estates and the rural economy, and about offering our guests something truly seasonal that they can’t experience at any other time of year."

Raf added: "The hare itself is something special, but I would say grouse

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is the queen of the game season. It’s one of the most celebrated ingredients we work with here, and it signals the real start of autumn in the kitchen. From its distinct flavour to the tradition that surrounds it, grouse is the bird everyone looks forward to when the season opens - it’s the one that really captures the essence of game cookery."

Raf's favourite cooking style

When it comes to cooking grouse, Raf prefers to keep things simple to let the bird shine.

He added: "Personally, I like to cook grouse in a way that really showcases its flavour without hiding it under too many ingredients. It’s a bird with a strong, distinctive taste, and I think you should let that speak for itself. Cooking it simply with garlic, butter, rosemary, and thyme works beautifully - you’re just enhancing the natural character of the bird, not masking it. When prepared like that, you can really appreciate why grouse is so prized."

How it's served

The Jugged Hare’s grouse service is a love letter to culinary tradition.

He said: "At the restaurant, we tend to serve grouse in the traditional way - game chips, bread sauce, rich gravy, and a pâté made from the grouse liver, which we serve on a piece of toast. That combination has been loved for generations and it’s something our guests come back for year after year. We do sometimes create special variations for particular events but for the main menu, the classic preparation is our preferred style. It’s simple, elegant, and it lets the bird shine."

Why does game season matter?

Game season as a whole is exciting to the Jugged Hare team.

Raf added: "We’re really looking forward to this year. I had a quick chat with some gamekeepers and apparently it’s looking very promising; it should be a very good year for grouse. This is the time of year where Jag Behar really shows the best of what we can do - everything game-related, celebrating the produce and the tradition that comes with it. Grouse is such an iconic start to the season and it sets the tone for everything that follows."

Written by ABi Kinsella

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