The Unruly Pig enters new era as chef buys pub

The Unruly Pig entered a new era this week as its long-standing chef Dave Wall and his wife Michelle completed the purchase of the Suffolk gastropub from founder Brendan Padfield, bringing to a close an eleven-year partnership that has defined one of the UK’s most celebrated pub operations.

The ownership transition marked the culmination of a relationship that began before the pub had even secured a site and went on to see The Unruly Pig achieve national acclaim, including multiple number-one rankings in the Estrella Damm UK Top 50 Gastropubs list.

The announcement

The announcement was shared via a detailed social media statement, in which Dave reflected on the origins of The Unruly Pig, the unconventional interview process that led to his appointment, and the journey that followed. In full, he said:

"The story of The Unruly Pig first began just over 11 years ago. I was 29 and closing fast on 30, and I'd set myself the target of being a head chef by the time I hit that landmark. Dead set on ensuring I'd meet that target I had started to apply for a few jobs and had a few interviews but none of them had hit the spot or seemed like a good match for me.

"I saw an ad for a new venture, an independent gastropub opening just outside of Woodbridge. Having spent the past 5 or 6 years working for large and successful restaurant groups where my perhaps oft-overvoiced opinions were probably not always as welcomed as I might have anticipated, I quite fancied the prospect of an independent operation where I could be a bigger fish (albeit in a smaller pond).

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by The Unruly Pig (@unrulypig)

"I pinged my CV over with a 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' philosophy and I was invited for an interview, the chap that I was to meet was a one Mr Brendan Padfield.
At that stage I had no idea that this was going to be a pivotal moment in my life (and that of my family), nor did I realise this would be the most unusual interview I'd ever had in my life.

"Brendan had recently retired from his career as a lawyer (which he was pretty good at but hated), and for no real reason (so far as I could tell) other than he liked eating good food, he fancied himself as a restauranteur. He didn't actually have the keys to said restaurant yet, nor even completed on acquiring a site, but nevertheless he had set about employing himself a chef. So, in the absence of a restaurant in which to hold our interview, off I went to his house.

"Before leaving my wife joked about this slightly unconventional arrangement and location for an interview, suggesting that when we kissed goodbye that it might be for the last time. As I entered his house I turned my phone onto 'do not disturb', not knowing I'd be in his front room for the next nigh 4 hours having every minute of knowledge I might possess of the hospitality trade extrapolated with deft touch and charm. In return, he explained his vision of making his chef his business partner and how he should like to be delivering a 'reliably great' experience for his future guests. 

"I left that interview buzzing with excitement and anticipation, but to no less than a dozen missed calls and messages from my wife who was fraught with concern that her premonition had come to fruition!
A week later the somewhat unconventional interview process continued when I returned to Brendan's house to cook a 3-course meal for him and his wife Claire and 2 other experts. Once I'd got through that fairly uncomfortable process I was vehemently grilled by the panel for another hour.

"One question that I'll never forget, but at the time I had little context to what it might imply, was posed by Claire; 'how on Earth are you going to cope with working with Brendan Padfield every day?' I had no clue what she was going on about but although that certainly became more apparent in due course, cope with him I have and here we are 11 years later. I won't take this opportunity to list any achievements, but I think I can speak for Brendan with confidence to say it's gone rather better than either of us ever anticipated.

"Whenever things have gone well, Brendan has always been very quick to shift the praise towards myself, Karl and the rest of the team. Very gracious and humble of him, but the truth is that any success that we might have encountered had it's roots in Brendan's planning, foresight, tenacious desire for high standards and a very keen eye for the details. Those are the bits people don't see necessarily in the background but they are the driving force of any business that wants to do well.

"It has been one hell of a journey and ride, but 11 years for a chap who is supposed to be retired is quite the tenure at the helm. Now a grandfather, and with Mrs P not unreasonably questioning when he might choose to invest a bit more of his time at home. So, the time has finally come for Brendan to retire (again).

"And with that it gives me enormous pleasure and pride to say that this week my wife Michelle and I completed on the purchase of The Unruly Pig from Brendan and Claire. I would like to thank them both eternally for the opportunities they have given me and my family both throughout my employment with them, and now as the proud owner of the business that I am so passionate about and dedicated to.
It also gives me enormous pride to be able to say that Karl Green will become my business partner, vested in the business in the same way that I have been for Brendan and bringing drive, passion and an unrelenting desire for continuous improvement to the table everyday.

"Karl is the backbone of the business and along with the rest of our fantastic team brings 100% to the table everyday. I'm so proud of him and all of the team.