About Doughty's Brasserie

Doughty’s Brasserie in Hitchin was our first venture back in October 2006, our background is within four star hotels and quality restaurants and I hate to admit it but we have 39 years of experience between us.

Adrian began washing pots at the age of fifteen and worked his way up the ranks in kitchens such as at the George of Stamford and The Haycock at Wansford. Adrian has also had a stint o­n the Carnival Cruise Liner, although this was many years ago!

Adrian was Head Chef at Sheene Mill in Melbourne and was also at the Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket as Executive Chef, Bedford Lodge was awarded two AA Rosettes.

My background is within four star hotels, working my way through all the departments, managing restaurants, bars and reception. I have worked at The Haycock at Wansford, The Welcombe Hotel & Golf Course in Stratford and at Sopwell House in St Albans. I left my position as Operations Manager at Bedford Lodge in Newmarket to open the restaurant.The o­nly thing I have never done is cook, I leave that firmly to Adrian!

We had always wanted to open our own restaurant and have talked about it for a long time so we finally took the plunge. We looked at so many properties but fell in love with Bancroft straight away. It is such a fantastic property and we saw the potential immediately. It had been empty for about a year and neglected for ages, we hope we have restored some life back into the place. We hope that the earthly colours, natural floorings and quality furniture we have regained some of the original feeling back into the building. 

In October 2008, we were approached to take over the restaurant at GL-14 Health Club in Stotfold. We went to have a look and again it was a fantastic building in the restored old hospital at Fairfiled Hall and we loved it. To open our second restuarant there in January 2009 was scary but great!

We are delighted to keep seeing our regular customers, but we also love to see new faces.

Then in August 2010 we recived a call to say that the Crown at Northill had closed down, it was an opportunity too good to miss so here we are! It has been a great experiece completely gutting the pub and we hope that it can now be a great local pub and a great eatery..

Then... in November 2011, we were approached to take over The Red Lion in MIlton Bryan, what a great pub, we could not turn it down, come and see us! 

We hope that we offer genuine hospitality and great food and service so you can sit back and relax, our new take away menus at both restaurants are also prooving rather popular if you just want to curl up in front of the TV with great food.

Please see the review page for more comments.

We hope to see you soon.

Kind Regards

Victoria Doughty

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