New owners aim to keep the standard high at The Auberge

Family and honouring heritage are the main focusses of the new owners of The Auberge in Yaxley.

Jake Berridge and Katy Winch-Furness have taken over the two AA rosette restaurant with rooms from the Stenhouse family, who ran it for more than two decades.

The reputation of the Grade II-listed former coaching inn has not been lost on the couple and they themselves have gained great comments from customers in the month they have been in charge.

Jake said: “We have had such positive feedback and reviews.

“We know we have very big boots to fill and there was a very high standard set here before us, but we are very passionate about continuing that as best we can.”

The pair, who moved from Hertfordshire, not only fell in love with the area when they were looking to take on their first place, but also what it can provide.

Jake said: “We are really passionate about locally sourced ingredients and working on a small-business-to-small-business basis.

“We deal directly with a Lowestoft fishmonger, use a butcher in Stowmarket, and get our fruit and veg and dry goods from Diss. Getting these things so close to home is very important to us.”

Jake says a lot of guests remember the pub being known as the Yaxley Bull, so its new name will be The Bull Auberge, with the restaurant taking the title of the Yaxley Bull.

The menu has also been changed to an à la carte instead of the set offering previously.

He said: “We have made gentle adjustments, but we are still offering classic English-European cooking with a slight contemporary twist.

“We want to keep that homely family atmosphere as we feel this business has gone from one family to another.

“My mum and grandparents are moving to the village and Katy and I are getting married here in May.

“We regard everyone who works here and comes here as guests as our extended family and we want them to share this experience and new adventure with us.”