The Cross Keys

THE VOICE OF HILLAM VILLAGE APRIL 2021 VOLUME 36 ISSUE 2

On 13th Jan 2020, Daniel and Sascha took over running The Cross Keys. Daniel has a wealth of experience in the pub trade—you may have noticed that he loves chatting to customers, and he is really keen that the pub contributes to life in the village. Sascha has an impressive 30 years culinary CV, from working in 5* London hotels to cheffing on cruise ships and casinos. The move to working in a local village pub kitchen has given Sascha control over the food he cooks, and has brought him much closer to the customers that he is cooking for. In Sascha’s own words –“We change the menu’s regularly according to the seasons and what our customers want, just good pub food with a twist”

Running the pub together, they were really looking forward to picking up where Mel and Jayne had left off. With beer ordered, food stocked up, and menus designed, everything was looking good. But then ‘you know what’ happened in March, and from then to now, Daniel and Sascha have pulled out all the stops to make sure that The Cross Keys would survive the pandemic. Reopening in July, shutting in October, reopening in December, and shutting again just 4 weeks later on 30th December, it really has tested their resilience and determination to keep our local pub in business.

April 12th saw The Cross Keys officially reopen. Here is just some of what you can expect— Pub is the Hub—Monday 10am –12am – back from May 17th Fish Friday— Fish and chips twice for £17 Mums n Tots group—Tuesday 10am – 12am starting from May 17th Bottomless Brunches—Saturday afternoon—booking essential. All big sporting events showing, and what a summer of sport there is! From April 12th, booking is essential in the marquee, the remaining outside tables will be on a first come, first served basis. And it doesn’t stop there!

Sascha and Daniel have exciting plans for the future. Something that they would love to do is have a minimusic festival in the car park—who knows what 2022 will bring, but rest assured, The Cross Keys is firm fixture in our village!