A COUPLE with years of experience in the food and pub industry have taken on their first attempt at running a rural Powys border pub.

Chef Tom Tudor and Bar Manager Vittoria Turolla, who live in Ludlow, have recently taken over the reins at the Stagg Inn at Titley, near Kington.

Chef Tom, previously from Birmingham, has extensive experience in kitchens all over the Midlands.

He has worked at three AA rosette winning Mallory Court in Leamington Spa, and moving to France to develop his skills before his first experience of Herefordshire working for the Riverside at Aymestrey with local chef Andy Link.

He also helped run the kitchen at the Bateman Arms in Shobdon, before the Covid pandemic, and most recently worked with French chef Cedric Bosi, who co-owned the Bell Inn at Yarpole for five years, with his brother Claude.

His aim is to mix traditional British fayre with Asian and French cooking influences mixed in.

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Mr Tudor said: "We're looking to offer local food with locally sourced produce and give it a twist to offer something a bit different."

This is Mr Tudor's first attempt at running a pub and he is looking to use all the experience he has gained through his previous work to make the Stagg Inn a huge success.

He said: "It's scary taking on your own pub, especially at the moment, but it can also be more enjoyable but it gives you the freedom to put your own stamp on it."

Ms Turolla said that since they took the pub over with the help of co-owner Muralidhar Shanmugam in the summer, it has built up a good base of loyal customers both locally and from a bit further away.

She said: "As the news has spread about the place, we have had people coming and more importantly returning with others."We are hopeful the Stagg will be a great success."