Here is just a little info to let you get to know us better...
Here is a little potted history of our pub and the local area... if you have a spare minute or two and maybe a cup of tea (or is that a G&T), we think it's well worth a read.
The Mill House was one of eight mills listed under Odiham in the Domesday book. This sounds like a very large number for a comparatively modest community, but of course the water wheel was one of the few sources of power generation available to the contemporary population (alongside the horse).
It was burnt down in 1345 and was subsequently rebuilt. It was called King's Mill, and was owned by the former royal Manor of Odiham, and subsequently by successive Lords of the Manor until 1920. Sections of the present building date from the 17th century.
The first known miller to operate the mill was John Hooker in 1615, and it was last used as a corn mill in 1895, when the then miller, Sydney Loader, was described as an il cake and manure merchant".
The mill became a residential property in the early 20th century, and was sold with the rest of the manor in 1920, at which time it was restored. It became the Mill House restaurant in the early 1990's, and the mill wheel was restored in 1995.
The wheel ceased working a couple of years ago, but we completed a further restoration of the wheel as part of the current refurbishment of the building.
When we took the Mill House under our wing, it was trading as a Blubeckers branded restaurant, with a 'meet and greet' station at the front door and full table service. There was a scheme in place to introduce a staircase from the gallery down into the restaurant, but we scrapped that as we felt it would spoil the layout of the building.
As part of the renovations to the Mill House in early 2011, over a period of eight weeks, we moved the bar to a more central location and substantially increased its size. In addition, we re-located the loos, and undertook a major renovation of the kitchen, replacing almost all the existing equipment.
Many thanks to local historian Sheila Millard for all your help compiling this history: your assistance has been invaluable.
If you'd like to put a name to a face, allow us to introduce you to the crew...
Manager
Rob has come to us from working in a 5 star hotel, he used to run pubs, so has plenty of experience in our field. Rob's the one who cracks the jokes on the busy shifts - which keeps us all smiling. Rob is a proper family man and loves to take his kids out on his days off. He loves a drink and good food, which suits us perfectly!
Deputy Manager
Tom has been a part of the Mill House team since February, joining as our Assistant Manager and bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. Tom has recently completed the WSET Level 2 course (Wine & Spirit Education), and passed with flying colours achieving a well deserved Distinction! He is a big fan of a loud, colourful shirts and can generally be found in the kitchen trying to learn Slovakian from the Chefs.
Deputy Manager
Proud Frenchman Hervé joins us after an eclectic career that has spanned rugby, economics, hotels and more recently top-end pubs. He's full of joie de vivre and always up for a chat about the latest rugby news or anything else that takes his fancy, so feel free to pop in and practice your fran-glais over a G&T or glass of white wine (he recommends the Picpoul de Pinet).
Assistant Manager
Katie is an Assistant Manager here at the Mill House. Previous to this she has 10 years experience in hospitality. Katie loves getting to know the customers and strives for great customer service. In her spare time she likes to have fun with her family and friends, or relax with a good book.
Assistant Manager
Hayleigh joined us as a waitress in 2018 and has worked her way to become Assistant Manager. Hayleigh is lively, friendly and bubbly. Hayleigh is often working behind the scenes helping to look after and direct the team. Hayleigh enjoys to socialise the other side of the bar, when she is not at home looking after her 2 children.
Supervisor
Georgia is definitely a child at heart and she makes a lovely fuss over any children that come to visit us at the pub. She even helps the parents get some vegetables into them. She is a keen netball player so when she isn't here she is on a court somewhere. She is a joy to be around.
Supervisor
Jo started with us in May 2022. Jo is a personal trainer and a mum of 2 during the day, then waitress by night. Jo is super attentive and always busy finding work to do. Jo enjoys her family time and fluff baby as well.
Bar/Waiting
Eddie has worked with us since May 2021 and he is one of our fabulous food runners and much loved member of the team. In his spare time Eddie enjoys Kayaking, paddle boarding and sea swimming during the warmer months. He is the very proud owner of the family dog, Boris. If you do not catch Eddie running food you will find him saying hello to our more fluffy customers. He's also attending night school to learn how to cook.
Bar/Waiting
Sophia joined the Millhouse in July 2022 and does a great job as a food runner. Sophia is one of our many talented staff who is also a figure skater and studying Economics, Sociology and Accounting.
Bar/Waiting
Sid is the Jack of all trades. A familiar face around the pub helping whoever he can, be it at the bar, running food and drinks or at the tables. Sometime we do think that sarcasm might be his middle name.
Bar/Waiting
Jasmin started working with us in July 2022. Jasmin is one of our fantastic food runners so you will often see her going from table to table. Jasmin is with us most weekends and some evenings. Jasmin is super talented, she is a national athlete in hurdles and high jump. Jasmin is also a regional level football and volleyball player. On top of this she is also studying Maths, Physics and Business.
Bar/Waiting
Desriee joined our team in August 2022. You will often find her here at the weekends looking after you downstairs in the restaurant. Desriee enjoys music, both listening and playing instruments. She loves a good book, calligraphy and dancing too.
Bar/Waiting
Poppy has returned back to us at the Mill House and it's like she never left. Poppy is an acting for film student at Uni. Poppy has 5 dogs who we all know and love at the pub, as they are regulars. Poppys passion is all things food and drink which makes working at the Mill House the best fit!
Bar/Waiting
Neve may be described as a book worm to some as she loves all things to do with English language and history. She is an eager gym goer and is studying these subjects at college.
Bar/Waiting
Megan hasn't been with us long but she is fitting in really well. If you don't see her in the pub it could mean that she is out on the football pitch with her local team.
Head Chef
James is our larger than life head chef who has a million stories to tell and especially if you want to share a bottle of whisky or a curry. He loves to bring our menu to life and serves up an amazing roast dinner and he really loves to be outside on the BBQ when he can.
Sous Chef
Luke is our new Junior Sous Chef with 12 years experience working in kitchens. Luke has fitted straight into the kitchen and is learning the ropes in a new place. Luke enjoys reading, cooking, gaming and card games.
Sous Chef
Lewis has just joined us at the Mill House as a Sous Chef, he previously worked at the Leather Bottle, one of our sister pubs. Lewis has 20 plus years working in kitchens but when he's not in one he enjoys spending down time with the family and staying active.
Chef
Nikki is our amazing pudding master and has been with us for 3 years now. Nikki is also a very talented artist.
Senior Chef de Partie
Zdenko joined the pub with his brother Yoshi, and started as a Kitchen Porter, but while no ones looking he has been sneaking his way up the kitchen and is now a full time chef. Zdenko is particularly fond of a nice golden rum after a long hard day in the kitchen. Zdenko also enjoys playing video games when he is not busy at work.
Chef de Partie
Sandra is one of our Kitchen Porters. Sandra likes to meet new people and enjoy life. In her free time Sandra likes to cook and travel, and hopes to combine her passions with her work life.
Kitchen Porter
Yoshi loves working with his brother but not as much as he loves beer and online gaming when he has some free time. In between all of that he will also have a workout in the gym to keep fit.
Gardener/Maintenance Person
Simon is our 'go to guy' for pretty much everything and anything. If it needs unblocking, mending, tidying, pruning - he will have done it in no time! Always seen with his beloved wing-woman, his dog Pip, at his side and on a mission to get the latest set of crazy jobs he's been given done. Whether at work or home, he is bound to be cracking a joke or two. We would be lost without our Simon.
Gardener/Maintenance Person
Ian is our fabulous Gardener. Ian is making his mark and looking after our wonderful grounds.
