- Exciting birthday events include celebrity guest chefs and retro menus -

The Fox and Hound Hunsdon – the Hertfordshire pub & restaurant in the Michelin Guide, with an on-site shop, beautiful garden and covered terrace – is celebrating its 20-year anniversary in 2024.

Independently owned by James and Bianca Rix, who met at school and have raised their children in the homely pub environment, The Fox and Hounds has provided a warm and relaxing spot for two decades, offering imaginative food with rustic Italian and French influences.

During the Covid pandemic lockdown, when pubs had to temporarily close, the couple opened a pop-up shop to keep supporting the local community. The Fox Shop was such a hit that it remained a permanent fixture. The shop supports small and local businesses with products such as local gin, beer, honey, chocolate & baked goods, plus a range of Brindisa Deli nibbles, treats & store cupboard essentials, alongside a range of Fox & Hounds home cooked ready meals, bread & treats from the pub kitchen.

Chef and owner James previously worked alongside chefs Gary Rhodes and Alastair Little, before 2000, when he moved to Tom Conran’s The Cow in Notting Hill as head chef for four years before opening The Fox and Hounds. Driven by a desire to open their own restaurant outside London, James and Bianca found and lovingly restored The Fox and Hounds it to create the stylish pub & restaurant it is today.

This year will see a host of exciting special events to mark the anniversary, including:

Special limited-edition menu, with dishes, wine and prices from 2004

The Fox and Hounds will be celebrating its dishes of old, offering a special set dinner and drinks menu for a limited time only, with dishes from its opening year.

Sample dishes include:

Starters: French Onion Soup Gratinée; House Terrine with Chutney, Pickles and Toast

Mains: Calves liver ‘persillade’ & Duck Fat Potato Cake; Filet of Seabass with Lentils and Gremolata

Desserts: Chocolate & Caramel Pot; Pear and Almond Tart

With a nod to the opening prices in 2004, the set menu will cost £20 for two courses, £25 for three courses with house wines from £2.75 per glass 175ml / £11 a bottle!

Available from 2-5 October

The regular menu will also continue to run as usual

Guest Chef Charity Takeover with Matt Tebbutt

On Thursday 3 October, top chef and Saturday Kitchen presenter Matt Tebbutt will host a ‘Tebbutt Takeover’ in the kitchen with James. The pair became firm friends after working together back at Alastair Little’s Frith Street restaurant in Soho in the 90s and together will create a special three-course menu.

They will also run a Charity Raffle, with raffle prizes from suppliers and brands, including a Brindisa Hamper, Adnams beer & Nyetimber sparkling wine;  local artwork, flowers, a Fox & Hounds gift voucher and Matt Tebbutt’ new Pub Food Cookbooks, signed by the chef himself.

The fun and sociable evening will include canapés and fizz on arrival, a three-course set menu, teas and coffees, a chance to chat with Matt, and will end with the Charity Raffle.

Throughout September and October, The Fox and Hounds will be marking their 20-year anniversary with a number of mini events, promotions, offers and great specials, as well as an archive photo display from the restaurant over the years. Their newsletter subscribers and followers to their Instagram and Facebook pages can look out for special offers and events, including a book signing with friend of the Fox & Hounds, Lisa Snowdon

Chef owner James Rix says: “We’re proud to be able to celebrate 20 years in business, having successfully run our restaurant for two decades and ridden the waves of the hospitality business over the past few years. We’d like to thank all of our customers, and we hope that customers old and new will come to celebrate with us this year, whether it’s to come to one of our special anniversary events or just to come in for a drink, some great food and a friendly chat.”