The Story Behind The Chalk Freehouse

 

There’s a particular kind of pub that Tom Kerridge has always believed in. One where the welcome is warm, the food is properly cooked, and nobody feels out of place, whether they’ve popped in for a pint or settled in for the evening. That pub, in Chelsea, is The Chalk Freehouse.

Opened on Tryon Street, just off the King’s Road in the heart of SW3, The Chalk is the latest chapter in Tom’s story, and has Tom De Keyser, previously head chef of The Hand & Flowers, at the forefront. 

 

From Marlow to Chelsea

 

Tom Kerridge built his reputation in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, where The Hand & Flowers became the only pub in the UK to hold two Michelin stars. Alongside it came The Coach — a one Michelin starred pub with a devoted following — and The Butcher’s Tap & Grill. Three pubs. One very clear philosophy: do things properly, keep things welcoming, and focus on the best of British produce to create menus of proper food, full of bold flavours. 

Chelsea was the natural next step. A neighbourhood that deserves a serious pub, somewhere that can be a local for those who live here, and a destination for those who don’t. The Chalk Freehouse is that pub.

 

The Chef: Tom De Keyser

 

At the heart of The Chalk’s kitchen is head chef Tom De Keyser, a man who spent over a decade cooking alongside Tom Kerridge at The Hand & Flowers and The Coach. He was formerly head chef at both, understanding better than most what it means to cook food that’s technically brilliant but never feels like it’s trying too hard.

At The Chalk, Tom De Keyser has brought that same rigour to a more relaxed setting. The menus are seasonal, ingredient-led, and rooted in the British tradition of making the most of what’s in season. Expect pub classics reimagined with care.

 

The Space

 

The Chalk occupies a beautiful corner building on Tryon Street that feels like it was always meant to be a pub. Inside, the space runs across two floors — a ground-floor bar and dining room with an open kitchen, and a private dining room downstairs designed for more intimate occasions.

It’s warm without being fussy. Chelsea without being pretentious. The kind of place you want to linger.

 

Sister Pub to The Hand & Flowers and The Coach

 

As a sister pub to The Hand & Flowers in Marlow and The Coach, The Chalk carries the same values — proper food, warm hospitality, and great British cooking. But it’s its own thing entirely. Chelsea has its own character, and The Chalk has been built to reflect that.

“I’m so proud to be opening The Chalk Freehouse in Chelsea,” Tom Kerridge has said. “Built on the same values of proper food, warm hospitality and great British cooking. The food is seasonal, comforting and full of flavour, with the same care and high standards we’ve always aimed for.”

 

Come and See For Yourself

 

Whether you’re a Chelsea local looking for your new regular, or someone planning a special evening in SW3, The Chalk Freehouse is ready for you. Come in for a drink, stay for dinner, and let us show you what a proper Chelsea pub looks like.