the fat goose - about us

Welcome to The Fat Goose

In 1904 two old cottages were knocked together to create a public house known as the Live and Let Live.

Over the years it has changed hands many times, even changing its name back and forward, with different owners, between the Tendring Tavern and The Live and Let Live. In the seventies an extension was added to provide a small restaurant and in the nineties a conservatory was the latest addition. It lasted over the years as a small rural country pub never really succeeding.

In November 2007 we took a lease with Punch Taverns, to take on this old white elephant, we were reliably informed by all, that it would be a big mistake as no one had succeeded in making a success of the pub since the days of the fifties when it was operated by Trumans. We had no intention of running it as just a pub and so after closing it for four months for a “refurb”, it opened as The Fat Goose.

The name came about by a couple of things, firstly we had discovered that Tendring had a Goose Green, so we decided on the “goose”, and secondly, Chef/Patron Philip Hambrook-Moore had proposed to his wife Claire, at the Fat Duck in Bray, at the time the number one restaurant in the world, it was obviously a very good sign as she had accepted his proposal, so the Fat Goose was born.

The restaurant opened in February 2008, and very quickly built up a good name for quality and value for money. In May 2009 it was awarded an AA rosette, for culinary excellence, and later made an entry into the good food guide. Philip was a finalist in the young entrepreneur of the year for The Colchester Business Awards, together with reaching the finals of The Essex Food and Drink Awards. In June 2009, we had the opportunity to purchase the freehold from Punch Taverns, and after the sale completed we applied for planning permission to extend the restaurant and car park. This was granted in late 2009, and work started in January 2010.

After the worst winter in decades and various delays we now have the “fattened” Fat Goose.

The restaurant has a beautiful vaulted ceiling with exposed hand cut timbers, two sets of French doors lead out onto the newly landscaped lawn and the new dining terrace where you can dine in comfort. The large wood burning stove will provide the perfect ambiance for the cooler months, the relaxed unpretentious surroundings welcome you to relax and enjoy the facilities now provided by The Fat Goose. We are now able to offer a completely separate private dining room for up to 60 diners. Our disabled customers have also been catered for with the addition of a purpose built entrance and WC facilities.

The latest addition to The Goose are the Marquee facilities, which can now be provided to cater for any number of guests, so we are now able to cater for the very largest wedding or party, all to the normal high standards which are The Fat Goose.

The bar area is still a relaxing venue, with the chesterfield and the open fire, if all you want is a drink and a quiet get together.

The Fat Goose provides the perfect venue for very occasion.