James Cochran to launch first pub project

Revered chef restaurateur and Great British Menu star James Cochran has announced that he will soon launch his first pub project. 

The Brave, a new 'bistro-pub' venture, will open this December on Islington’s Essex Road in London. It marks Cochran's return to the pass following the recent closure of his acclaimed flagship restaurant 12:51.

He has said The Brave will be a fresh take on the British pub, inspired by his Scottish heritage. It will have 50 covers across various dining and drinking areas.

The project is a partnership with the Seven-Eighths Group, which runs east London sites The Hemingway and Hunter S.

"We’re creating something really special here at The Brave," says Cochran. "It’s not just a pub – it’s a place where people can enjoy quality food and drink in a warm, authentic environment. My dad used to take me to the pub when I was a kid and I have happy memories of that time, so this feels full circle for me. And, given all the love we received from locals when we closed 12:51 this summer, it was a no-brainer for me to open something five minutes’ down the road."

The Brave's Menu 

Keen to showcase dishes that reflect his culinary journey, mixed Scottish-Caribbean family heritage and a passion for British Isles-sourced produce, Cochran’s launch menu features seasonal, artisanal ingredients.

Snacks will include jerk spiced chicken scotch egg with scotch bonnet jam; and crisp hash browns, chip shop curry sauce, scraps and malt vinegar.

Larger plates feature Mangalitza brawn, gherkin ketchup, gem lettuce, pork scratchings and anchovies; roast spiced spiced Orkney scallop, tikka masala sauce, roe and coconut; and roast maitake mushroom, celeriac, bread sauce and kale.

"With James at the helm in the kitchen, The Brave is set to become the culinary jewel in the crown for the group," says Michael Butt, who is overseeing the project for Seven-Eighths Group. "It’s a space where the best of traditional pub culture meets innovation, and with an epic food menu from James, we can’t wait to see the pub full of happy diners."

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