Tom Kerridge’s Restaurant Group To Open New Chelsea Gastropub

This week, it was announced that Tom Kerridge is closing his Chelsea pub The Butcher’s Tap & Grill. However, in just a few weeks his restaurant group will be launching a new venue in its place: The Chalk Freehouse, a sister pub to The Hand and Flowers in Marlow helmed by chef Tom De Keyser. 

The Chalk Freehouse: A New Gastropub Is Coming To Chelsea

Set to open its doors on 16 June 2025, The Chalk Freehouse will be housed in a two-storey Victorian property just round the corner from the King’s Road. De Keyser has worked alongside Kerridge for 12 years, most recently heading up The Hand and Flowers – the first pub in the world to be awarded two Michelin stars. He’ll be bringing his expertise to The Chalk Freehouse, creating a three-course menu available for lunch and dinner. 

There will be a focus on comforting classics, beginning with starters of cheese and onion scones, spiced chicken thighs, and chicken and duck liver parfait. Mains, meanwhile, include a pork schnitzel with smoked bacon cabbage, curry roasted baby chicken, and roasted ray wing, alongside daily specials on a blackboard – think olive oil baked turbot and fillet of beef on the bone.

Sundays will be all about roasts, served with heritage carrots, potatoes and Yorkshire puddings, with the dessert offering including the likes of chocolate tart, brown sugar pavlova, and a warm pork fat Chelsea bun.

The wine list has been put together by Galvin Hills, featuring a mix of both Old World and New World varieties, as well as plenty of beers, ciders and non-alcoholic drinks. 

‘I’m so excited to be taking on the next stage of my career within the Tom Kerridge Group and opening a new site,’ said De Keyser. ‘Tom has taught me so much about proper gastropub dining and what it is to create truly brilliant food within the context of a pub menu – I can’t wait to bring everything I’ve learned to Chelsea for The Chalk’s opening.’’

Kerridge added: ‘Ever since I met Tom DK 13 years ago I knew he’d go far within our Group. He’s brought so much to both The Coach and The Hand and Flowers over the years and I have full confidence that he’ll do the same with The Chalk. He’s worked really hard on this new concept creating some absolutely standout dishes, and I know with the help of our incredibly loyal team he’ll do brilliantly in bringing it to life.’

Alongside The Hand and Flowers, Kerridge’s restaurant group includes The Coach in Marlow, Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at the Corinthia Hotel, London, and Kerridge’s Fish & Chips at Harrods.

VISIT:

The Chalk Freehouse will open at 25-27 Tryon Street, Chelsea, SW3 3LG on 16 June 2025