Chef Luke Dale Roberts continues to create, innovate and evolve and his latest project “Ye Olde Test Kitchen”, Luke seeks to create excellence out of simplicity and innovation out of the ordinary – based on his youth and memories.

It is a vehicle catered to the guests’ wants and needs as well as a personal project of challenging and pushing his chefs to create something different from his youth. The result is a dining experience where the bells and whistles ring loudly and clearly in your head, even when you cannot see them.

The menu will consist of a set number of rotating a la carte dishes, served as starters, mains and desserts, with a range of sides. Starters will consist of dishes such as Pressed Terrine of the day, Salt Beef Ploughman and Potted Lango, mains of Mini Beef Wellington, Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks and, of course, Fish and Chips, with desserts including a cheeseboard, Sticky Toffee Pudding and a crumble of the day.

Luke grew up in Punnetts Town, East Sussex. A small village that in his own words, “had about 15 pubs in a mile’s radius” from his home. Having been immersed in the British pub culture for much of his youth, he had been mulling the idea of creating a modern-day pub-food experience for some time. Recently, seeing demand grow for more accessible, hearty meals, Luke, never one to idle, decided to create a unique, yet age-old, dining experience stirred by his own nostalgia and the simple question, “Is it tasty?”

“This is not The Test Kitchen in terms of multi-course, multi-sensory experience, but we are offering the same degree of skill and attention to detail to good, old-fashioned, honest food” – Luke Dale Roberts

Tinashe, The Test Kitchen’s renowned sommelier, will be preparing a bespoke wine list comprising some special vintages and bin ends. Although space does not allow anything on tap there will be a selection of craft beers available by the bottle.

Launching on the 21st of August, the “Ye Olde Test Kitchen” pop-up will open its doors for every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, lunch only for two months. Located in the Old Biscuit Mill at The Test Kitchen bookings for seats in the Light Room will be available online, while walk-in guests will be welcomed in the Dark Room.

Please note that Ye Olde Test Kitchen will be able to cater to limited dietary requirements and that Ye Olde Test Kitchen closes at 15h30.

Bookings are essential and open on 16th July on 021 447 2337 only. Find out more on their website, here…

Photo credits: Andy Lund