Chef Tom Harris explains what a proper English pub is, throws down some amazing jazz funk playlists (among others), and explains why recipes should be described in musical terms.
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The Marksman pub in East London has been around for over 150 years, exemplifying what a pub should be – cozy wood paneling, regulars that have been stopping in for decades, comforting food and quality local beer – English hospitality at it’s finest.
Chef Tom Harris took over the place with his co-founder and co-chef Jon Rotheram in 2015, and perhaps their greatest achievement, aside from being named Michelin’s pub of the year for 2017 (the first time a London pub was awarded the accolade), is that they kept the historic pub…a pub.
They could have easily turned the space into a fine dining establishment only – given that Chefs Tom and Jon met while running the St John Hotel restaurant together and worked previously at London’s legendary St John restaurant under head chef Fergus Henderson – but with the Marksman Public House, they managed to leave the bar downstairs relatively unchanged and converted the second floor into a stylish yet casual dining room to showcase their English cooking.
Chef Tom’s Shift List
Johnny “Hammond” Smith – “Shifting Gears”
Joubert Singers – “Stand on the Word”
Fela Kuti – “Mr. Follow Follow”
Idris Muhammad – “Piece of Mind”
Roy Ayers – “Everybody Loves The Sunshine”
Eddie Hazel – “California Dreamin’”
The Allman Brothers Band – “Blue Sky”
Moses Boyd – “Rye Lane Shuffle”
James Brown – “I Got The Feelin’”
Eek a Mouse – “Wa-Do-Dem”
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers – “You Don’t Love Me”
The English Beat – “Mirror in the Bathroom”
Charlie Parker – “Ko-Ko”
Neil Diamond – “Desiree”
Chef Tom’s Shit List
Arcade Fire – “Wake Up”
Theme song: Jamie Drake – “Wonder”
