On 1st July, partners in business and in life, Danielle James & James Fairchild, took over The Three Cranes in Great Cransley, which had been owned by the same family for 28 years. After three intense weeks of renovation, Danielle & James opened their gastro pub to the public to great acclaim. With its contemporary look, wooden flooring, décor in sage green and cream, leather chairs and sofas, the bar and restaurant areas are most inviting and pleasing to the eye. The outdoor beer garden has an extensive play area and multiple seating facilities for alfresco dining or for a refreshing drink with one of James’ popular bar snacks.
Danielle & James met at the 4AA red star, 2 rosette Bedford Lodge Hotel in Suffolk, where they worked for the past seven years as Financial Controller and Executive Head Chef. James is born and grew up in Northamptonshire, so when a family member in Walgrave told them earlier this year that The Three Cranes was up for sale, the couple decided that the time had come to branch out on their own.
James has more than twenty years’ experience in the catering industry; during the earlier part of his career, he served on luxury cruise liners including the iconic QE2 and the 5-star Sea Goddess II yacht and, in more recent years, at Champneys at Forest Mere and The Millstream Hotel in Bosham. A member of the Craft Guild of Chefs since 2003, James also became a professional member of the ‘Chaîne des Rôtisseurs’ in 2008 and won Chef of the Year for Suffolk in a local business awards in June.
James’ eclectic style and modern artistic flair is reflected in his reinvention of classic dishes. His style of cuisine is to inject new concepts and international flavours into the menus and add his own twist. French fries are, for instance, served with parmesan and truffle oil, and the mixed berry Eton mess is complemented with basil. The menu is kept deliberately simple, with the emphasis on high-quality ingredients, sourced locally when at all possible. Danielle & James are passionate about supporting the local community and constantly strive to reduce the food miles produce has to travel, effectively minimising ‘field to fork’ and maintaining the support of the local economy.
In addition to the lunch and dinner menus, an extensive afternoon tea menu has been launched, served Wednesday through Sunday 2-5pm (bookings preferred), with a selection of choices to which you can add a glass of prosecco if you are in a celebratory mood. There is also a Gentleman’s Full Afternoon Tea, which includes toasted BLT and sausage roll with an optional pint on the side.
Danielle & James are keen to support local charities. On Friday 14th through Sunday 16th October, The Three Cranes will be putting a fish supper on its specials board for lunch and dinner in aid of the RNLI.
Opening Hours: Tuesday: 5-10pm (food 6-9pm); Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 12-3pm (food 12-2pm) and 5-10pm (food 6-9pm); Saturday: 12-11pm (food 12-9pm); Sunday: 12-9pm (food 12-5pm); Monday: closed.
The Three Cranes, 1 Loddington Road, Great Cransley, NN14 1PY Tel: 01536 790287 • www.thethreecranes.co.uk
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