Tom Kerridge protégé Tom De Keyser to open The Chalk Freehouse in Chelsea

Chef Tom De Keyser, in partnership with The Tom Kerridge Group, is set to open The Chalk Freehouse in Chelsea this june.

Located off King’s Road, the new gastropub will bring De Keyser’s refined approach to British comfort food to a two-storey Victorian building steeped in local history.

The news comes just days after Tom Kerridge announced the permanent closure of The Butcher's Tap and Grill. 

Read more: Tom Kerridge closes London pub The Butcher’s Tap & Grill

De Keyser has spent the last 12 years working alongside Tom Kerridge, most recently as Head Chef at the two Michelin-starred Hand and Flowers in Marlow.

He also previously led The Coach, which holds one Michelin star. As De Keyser moves to this new project, Sarah Hayward will take over as Head Chef at The Hand and Flowers.

Joining him at The Chalk is Lourdes Dooley, who will lead front-of-house. Lourdes is the General Manager for all of Kerridge’s Marlow venues and brings a wealth of experience to the new Chelsea venture.

The name The Chalk Freehouse pays tribute to Chelsea’s Anglo-Saxon roots - 'Caelichyth,' meaning 'chalk wharf.'

The Menu

The all-day three-course menu offers comforting British classics with De Keyser’s signature finesse. Dishes include:

• Snacks and starters: Cheese & Onion Scone with Whipped Mustard Butter, Spiced Chicken Thighs with Tarragon Mayo, and The Hand and Flowers' Chicken & Duck Liver Parfait with Poultry Jelly.
• Mains: Pork Chop Schnitzel with Smoked Bacon Cabbage, Curry Roasted Baby Chicken with Braised Butter Beans, and Roasted Ray Wing with Crispy Cockles.
• Daily Blackboard Specials: Olive Oil Baked Turbot and Fillet of Beef on the Bone.
• Sunday Roast: 30-day Dry Aged Rib of Beef with Roast Potatoes and Yorkshire Pudding

Desserts and Drinks

Desserts include a Chocolate Tart with Smoked Sea Salt, a warm Pork Fat Chelsea Bun with Custard, and a Brown Sugar Pavlova with English Strawberries.

The drinks menu, curated by The Hand and Flowers’ Gavin Hills, features a robust wine list that spans Old and New World bottles, alongside a rotating cask ale, lagers, IPAs, and non-alcoholic options — including The Hand and Flowers’ house beer.

The Space

The Chalk Freehouse will retain much of its original character with a refreshed interior. Guests can enjoy drinks and snacks at the hardwood bar, dine in the 60-cover restaurant, or reserve a private 10-seat dining room. There’s also an outdoor garden area for warmer days.

The restaurant is set to open on June 16.

Written by Abi Kinsella