FORMER UK resident Peter Stephenson feels right at home as new owner of The Gamekeepers Secret Inn, an English-style country pub in Rockbank.
He says it has many similarities to a country pub in his home country.
“With its polished timber bar, crackling fire, country artefacts and cosy booths, the inn really is a slice of old England,” Mr Stephenson says.
“Even the food has the feel of country comfort. They say an Englishman’s home is his castle and my team and I certainly soak up the ‘homey’ atmosphere — as do our visitors.”
Mr Stephenson arrived from Liverpool about 25 years ago, met and married an Aussie girl and got loads of hospitality experience under his belt.
His impressive credentials include managing the Essendon Football Club Social Club, Moonee Valley Racing Club gaming complex and the 400-seat Campari Restaurant on Station Pier. He was also hospitality operations manager for the Western Bulldogs.
In his two months at the helm, Mr Stephenson has seen no need to reinvent the wheel, saying the inn is still in the business of delivering top-notch affordable pub grub and an enviable entertainment line-up. The menu focuses on old favourites, with slow oven-roasted lamb shanks with fluffy mash, house-cooked corned beef with creamy seeded mustard sauce, and a beef and Guinness pie rubbing shoulders with bacon mash.
Top-quality steaks done to a turn, tapas share plates and a good seafood selection spice up the table while comforting cakes and desserts, including more-English-than-the-Queen Devonshire teas, make for a sweet finish, with coffee.
A well-balanced wine list showcases local wines from the neighbouring Witchmont Winery and the Galli Winery up the road along with a selection from family winemaker Angoves.
There is also a new early bird menu available on Fridays and Saturdays between 5pm and 6pm. Children are also well-catered for with meals only $7.
Upcoming entertainment includes these red-letter events:
■ September 7: Back to the 70s and 80s (fully booked).
■ October 19: Roy and the Legends
■ November 23: Neil Diamond
■ Christmas lunch and dinner (be quick)
The inn has the required ingredients for any function, from a birthday party to a corporate event. It’s the kind of pub everyone wants as their local; one that strikes the right note for a relaxed night out, including live music each Friday and Saturday evening, a leisurely lunch or a drop-in for coffee and cake. This inn shouldn’t be a secret any more.
The Gamekeepers Secret Inn is at 1555 Melton Highway, Rockbank. Inquiries: 9747 1000 or gamekeepers.com.au.
