Established in 1999, the Olive Branch is based in the bijoux county of Rutland and was formerly three farm labourers’ cottages that were knocked into one pub in 1890.
Since then, it remained the heart of its community until it was forced to close in 1997, when three years later, with the help of family, friends and villagers, it was bought by Sean Hope, Ben Jones and Marcus Welford.
After its reopening, the team added luxury accommodation to the offering in 2003.
The kitchen is overseen by Head Chef Ben Fisher since 2023 carrying on the mantle from Sean with a more modern twist using homegrown and local produce.
Dishes – which change on a daily basis – starting with the first course, have included prawn and lobster raviolo, basil, kataifi, lobster bisque; heritage beetroot, smoked goats’ cheese, fresh cream, dill and apple marigold and duck liver parfait with fermented plum, almonds, thyme butter, toasted sourdough.
Mains have included roast pheasant (breast & leg), salt bakes turnip, pickled bramble, rosti, Brussel sprouts foam; Slow cooked Beef Short Rib, smoked mustard, Lincolnshire Poacher cheese, fermented cabbage, sour cream, confit garlic creamed potato, Butter roast Savoy Cabbage, black garlic, smoked chestnut, miso & lemon emulsion, sauteéd potatoes
Desserts include Sticky toffee pudding, miso toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream, Baked chocolate mousse, banana, lime, banana & rum ice cream, Apple & elderflower mille-feuille, vanilla, chardonnay vinegar, granny smith sorbet.
