Dave Watts is Chef and owner of The Crown Inn, Upton, a charming cottage-style pub in the heart of the Test Valley, Hampshire, and he  has lost no time making sure the place stays ahead of the game, particularly during these difficult times.  By serving high quality food with an unusual twist, using local and artisanal produce, not being afraid to be different and providing the best possible experience inside and out, The Crown Inn has been able to bounce back following lockdown.  Using suppliers as close to the pub as possible means that The Crown has also avoided some of the delivery difficulties experienced by others and reduced its carbon footprint.

Dave started his career at the famous Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons under the direct guidance of Raymond Blanc before moving on to tread his own path and find his true food style and values.  He worked in various high end restaurants, winning the coveted The Good Food Guide’s ‘Chef to Watch’ Award in 2013, then offering bespoke in-home catering before moving to the Crown.  It’s this experience that influences the food offering here –combining classic French with modern rustic and a touch of light, clean Japanese.  And Dave is passionate about what he does, cares for his team and his customers and particularly enjoys talking to those eating and drinking in the pub rather than staying in the kitchen.