William Shenow-Brady and Sophie Webb at The Dove, Dargate
There’s a new look at The Dove, Dargate, near Faversham, where business partners William Shenow-Brady and Sophie Webb have taken the helm.
After working together for seven years at a restaurant in Canterbury, they decided it was time to branch out on their own. William, 28, works as head chef, while Sophie, 22, manages front-of-house.
They are both familiar with the area, as William grew up in Wingham and trained in catering at Canterbury College, while Sophie grew up in Sturry and joined the hospitality industry from school.
Sophie said: “After we decided to start our own business we started looking at restaurants and pubs, and when we found The Dove it ticked all the boxes. We loved its traditional look and warm, inviting feel, and it was spacious but not too big.
“It’s also in a great location, surrounded by beautiful countryside but only 15 minutes’ drive from Faversham, Canterbury or Whitstable.”
The pair took on The Dove in July before closing it for a couple of months to allow extensive renovations. Supported by Shepherd Neame, work included painting throughout, refurbishing the toilets, installing new lighting and installing new kitchen equipment. The top bar counter was also removed to make the bar area lighter, and all the floors were renovated.
William said: “We are really pleased with the finished results. The pub looks lighter and more contemporary, but we have still retained its traditional character.”
Family affair
The business is a real family affair, as William’s brothers Tom and James helped with the refurbishment work, his father Michael looks after the garden, and his other brother Robert supports the pub’s digital marketing.
Sophie’s sister Chloe is part of the management team while her Mum Claire reupholstered the pub furniture. William lives at the pub with wife Samantha, and her father Jason also built new garden furniture.
William said: “It was quite daunting at the start as Sophie and I had never run a pub before, but we have received amazing support from our family, and also from Shepherd Neame, who have not only helped with the refurbishment but given us extensive guidance in areas such as cellar management and financial management.”
In addition to its new look, The Dove boasts an exciting new menu of contemporary British classics. Everything is cooked to order, using fresh local produce from suppliers including cheese from Cheesemakers of Canterbury, based in Dargate, meat from the Goods Shed in Canterbury and Salvatori in Whitstable, and fish from the Goods Shed and Griggs of Hythe. William also makes his own bread, and gets vegetables and fruit from BVS Wholesalers in Whitstable, and from his Mum and brother James, who have allotments in Whitstable and Herne Bay.
William said: “Our aim is for the Dove to still be very much a friendly, relaxed pub, but serving restaurant-quality food. My inspirations are chefs such as Nathan Outlaw and Tom Kerridge, who use the best ingredients to create contemporary yet simple British dishes.”
In addition to their food offer, the pub’s drinks have also been refreshed, with a great range of beer and cider on draught and in bottle, along with a choice selection of premium wines from a range of suppliers including the nearby Simpsons Estate in Barham.
