Welcome back to Nottingham for Orange tree head chef

Chef Ian Martin at the Orange Tree

Chef Ian Martin has returned to his roots in Nottingham and is back in the kitchen he helped to establish more than 12 years ago when he became the first head chef at the Orange tree pub in the city.

Ian has once again taken charge in the kitchen of the popular bar after returning to the city following a spell working abroad.

It’s a venue he knows well. He spent four years there as head chef when the pub opened in 2003.

Ian, 45, said: “It’s great to be back running the kitchen where I was the original head chef when it first launched back in 2003. It was very satisfying to be the launch chef and help to build up the good reputation for food that the Orange tree still has today.

“There’s been a lot of change in Nottingham in that time. There’s much more choice for eating and a much stronger presence from the chains, but there are fewer strong independent pubs, like the Orange tree, in my view.”

Coincidently, there’s another link for Ian to the building that houses the Orange tree on the corner of Shakespeare Street and North Sherwood Street.

Before he joined the Orange tree first time round, he had previously been head chef to Nottingham Forest Football Club, and the Orange tree sits on the site of the building in which the football club was born 150 years ago, in 1865. Then known as the Clinton Arms, it was the venue for a meeting of shinney players – who played a sport similar to hockey – and, when they decided to begin playing football instead, it was the start of Nottingham Forest Football Club.

During Ian’s first spell at the Orange tree, more than a decade ago, the menu was very much targeted at the student market. Now, however, the pub attracts a much wider clientele and the new Spring menu, which has just launched this month, has been designed to reflect that.

His appointment at the Orange tree marks a home-coming for Ian, who grew up in the city where his dad ran various pubs. Classically French trained, he undertook his chef’s training in Nottingham before working at a variety of positions in the region including at Nottingham Forest, where he travelled all over the world with the football team. He also worked as head chef at the county cricket ground at Derby.

After four years at the Orange tree, he moved on to run a bistro restaurant in the Canary Islands, and later became the head chef at a four-star hotel on the islands.

Ian, who is also head chef for Orange tree Weddings and the Orange tree group’s events side of the business, said: “Styles and fashions in food have changed over the years, but I’m really pleased that the Orange tree still has a good reputation for quality food and for a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. It’s good to have returned to the kitchen here.”

The Orange tree in Nottingham, part of the East Midlands-based independent Orange tree group of bars, serves food daily from noon until 7pm.

Group managing director Gareth Smith said: “We’re delighted to have Ian back at the helm in the kitchens in Nottingham. He knows the group, he knows the Nottingham pub, he knows the kitchen very well, and what’s really important is that he knows our customers.”

For more information, visit www.orangetree.co.uk/nottingham

Press release issued by Nottingham based pr company Perfect 10 PR http://www.perfect10pr.co.uk 

The Orange Tree, Nottingham, launches new-style rolling menu

Photo by Scott Choucino

Technically, seasonal food reflects what’s available in each of the four seasons. But one Nottingham bar has gone a step further and is introducing an ultra seasonal menu by opting to alter its dishes every month on a rolling menu. 

At the same time, the Orange tree in Shakespeare Street is bringing back traditional British pub food - cooked and served in an elegant manner. 

Head chef Chris Slocombe and his team are also focusing on locally produced food and ingredients, with bread from Basford bakery Bake Off and Pie, mixed leaf salads from farmer John McDonald based just outside Nottingham at Woodborough, and meat from Leicestershire-based family butchers Mark Patrick, which was founded in 1981 and produces sausages which are renowned locally for their quality and range. 

“The trend in recent years has been to offer street food, but the Orange tree wanted to buck the trend and instead turn the focus back on to great-tasting British pub food,” explained Chris, who is supported by second chef Nathan Taylor and Max Chadwick and Billy Craighan on his team. 

“However, we’re putting an Orange tree twist on it by adding a touch of elegance and finesse to our dishes, so for example our pan fried chicken breast is served with saffron potatoes, wilted gem lettuce, and pea and bacon broth. 

“The new monthly rolling menu is much smaller and much more seasonal than it’s ever been previously, which means we can use really seasonal ingredients to create the freshest, tastiest of dishes. It’s an unusual move for a venue like ours to change its menu so regularly, but it’s a great way to offer a variety of different dishes to customers.” 

The Orange tree is continuing its commitment to those with specific dietary requirements and the current menu, launched on April 1^st, features three gluten free main course dishes and two vegetarian offerings. Further choices are also available from a daily specials menu. 

Among the main course dishes are OT pie of the week with buttered mash, spring cabbage and stout gravy, sausage and mash with sticky onion marmalade, stout gravy and crispy leeks plus slow roast lamb shoulder with warm broad bean pea and mint salad and crumbled feta. 

Other items include mushroom and asparagus risotto, deep-fried crispy (but still runny) egg, mushroom ketchup and garlic crisps, plus baked salmon with pesto crust, roast tomato coulis and lemon and dill potatoes.  

Current dessert dishes include homemade Bakewell tart, warm custard, and strawberry jam, and warm homemade chocolate brownie, vanilla ice cream and white chocolate sauce. 

The Orange tree is part of the independent, East Midlands-based, Orange tree Group, which has bars and venues in Nottingham, Leicester and Loughborough. It opened the Orange tree in Shakespeare Street in October 2003. 

It is popular for business and shoppers’ lunches, as well as pre-theatre meals, early evening dining, and also attracts lecturers, staff and students from nearby Nottingham Trent University.

For more information about The Orange Tree visit http://www.orangetree.co.uk/nottingham/

Press release issued by Nottingham PR agency Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

The Orange Tree, Nottingham, raises cash for Maggie's cancer care charity

A tasty Bake Off challenge at The Orange Tree in Nottingham has raised more than £145 for charity.

The pub in Shakespeare Street is a regular supporter of Maggie’s, the cancer caring centre based at the City Hospital, Nottingham.

As well as the proceeds from the Bake Off, the pub has also collected £107 from a swap shop event earlier this year, and £169 from its clubcard scheme – netting more than £420 for the charity in the last few months.

Almost 20 bakers battled it out in the latest event, which attracted classic cakes, beautiful bakes and a selection of fancies.

Guest judges who sampled the tasty entries included Nottingham actress Ros Hanson, who featured in the Bafta award-winning This is England, Nottingham Post feature writer Lynette Pinchess, cake designer Danielle Gotheridge, who runs the Hockley-based Danielle Gotheridge outlet, and The Orange Tree’s head chef Jim Gordon and second chef Callum France.

The winner was Aimee Walker, with an elaborate design topped with fruit. She was followed by Karima Mulji, who came second, Betty Butcher third, and Sam Davies fourth. They each won a bottle of champagne.

Prizes of a cream tea for two at The Orange Tree went to Natalie Smith, who was fifth, Judy Willis, who was sixth, Claire Wood, who was seventh, and Sam Gray, who took eighth place.

Melanie Newbold, general manager at The Orange Tree said: “The standard of entries was superb – well above and beyond what I thought we would get. It’s fantastic that so many people have gone to so much trouble to take part in our Bake Off event for Maggie’s.

“I’d like to thank those who entered, and also our judges for giving up their time.”

After the judging, the cakes were sold off in aid of Maggie’s – raising more than £145.

www.orangetree.co.uk

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Annual Glastontree event staged at The Orange Tree in Leicester

Mini music festival Glastontree returns to The Orange Tree in Leicester next month, raising cash for hospice charity LOROS.

It is the eighth year that the event has been held at the pub in the High Street, and this year’s line-up includes some of Leicester’s finest musical talents plus a band from further afield.

Staged on Sunday 5th August from 1pm to 1am, Glastontree has raised more than £11,000 for charity since it was first organised.

It was originally set up by Leicester musician and bar manager at The Orange Tree Andy Tomlinson, in memory of his mum who died in 2005, and has since been held in tribute to Andy, who lost his life in an accident two years later.

Live music will run from 3pm to 12pm, with the line-up featuring Leicestershire bands and musicians Hell’s Addiction, Grace Petrie, Kenworthy, The Manhattan Project, Push, Martha Bean, Skunk Boy Project, Kieran Fowkes and DJ’s Champion Sound.

Seven-piece alternative folk/pop collaborative Shy and the Fight, from the Chester and North Wales area, completes the line-up.

There will also be a charity raffle with a host of prizes donated by local firms and big drinks brands. Prizes up for grabs include local festival tickets. Carvery cobs and roasties will also be served.

“Glastontree is one of our highlights of the year and has become a regular date on Leicester’s music and entertainment calendar,” said Orange Tree general manager Jon Glover. “We’re really looking forward to it, and hope that once again our customers and the people of Leicester will support the event and help us to raise as much as possible for charity. We will be holding Glastontree in tribute to Andy, who is still sorely missed by all of us at The Orange Tree and those on the Leicester music scene.”

A wrist band for the day costs £5 and is available from The Orange Tree.

All proceeds go to LOROS, the Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice.

www.orangetree.co.uk

Press release issued by Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Orange Tree in Loughborough supports student’s charity effort

Staff at the Orange Tree pub in Loughborough are taking to the saddle to raise money for charity.

The team will cycle 960 miles, but they’ll go nowhere, as they’ll be completing the challenge on an exercise bike in the bar.

The money is being raised in support of customer Alex Carter, 22, who this summer is undertaking a gruelling challenge in aid of Malaria No More UK.

Loughborough University student Alex has pledged to swim 21 miles over two days in Loughborough Olympic Swimming Pool, the equivalent distance of swimming the English Channel, cycle 969 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End, and complete a series of extended marathon runs from Lands End to Loughborough – covering approximately 372 miles over 13 days.

The International Business student is attempting the challenge in aid of Malaria No More UK after almost losing his life to malaria while working in Ghana as a basketball coach in 2008 during his gap year.

Alex spent four days in hospital after contracting a deadly form of malaria, falciparum. Now he has set himself an ambitious personal challenge, which begins in August, and which he has dubbed Victory Over Malaria 1,422 Ultra Triathlon. He hopes to raise £5,000.

The Orange Tree staff have pledged to support his efforts by undertaking their own John O’Groats to Lands End challenge.

“Alex is a housemate of one of our bar staff and a regular at the Orange Tree, and when we heard about his challenge we wanted to do our bit,” said Orange Tree bar supervisor Liam Richards. “We’ll be setting up an exercise bike in the bar and staff will be pedalling the equivalent of Alex’s ride from John O’Groats to Lands End.”

The pub’s efforts begin on Sunday May 20th and Alex will complete the final mile on the evening of Thursday May 24th, when the Orange Tree will also stage a music night in aid of the charity effort.

More than 20 of the Orange Tree’s staff from Loughborough and its sister pubs in Leicester and Nottingham have pledged to do their share of the cycling, including managing director Ben Hings.
All will be doing their bit during their free time.

Customers are being urged to support the charity effort in aid of Malaria No More UK, which is part of a global movement to end suffering and death from malaria.

Sponsorship pages have been set up online and donations are being taken at the bar in Bedford Square, Loughborough.

 The charity push will culminate in an evening of music on Thursday May 24th when two DJs and two bands play at The Orange Tree. Entry is free, with customers being urged to donate to the cause.

“Alex is attempting a gruelling challenge in aid of Malaria No More UK, and we have set ourselves a target of raising more than £1,000 to help the cause,” said Liam. “A little goes a long way in the fight against malaria. £5 is enough to buy, hang and deliver a life-saving mosquito net to a family in Africa, protecting two people from malaria. £10 can transport 150 life-saving nets to a community in rural Ghana – enough to protect 300 people.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/victoryovermalaria for more information or to donate to Alex’s appeal, or leave donations at the Orange Tree.

The photo shows, left to right, Ollie Scott, Dan Newbold, Alex Carter and Liam Richards. Ollie, Dan and Liam are all Orange Tree staff.

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk