OUR STORY
WINNERS OF BEST PUB IN HERTFORDSHIRE
About
The Silver Cup sits on the edge of Harpenden Common and is minutes from the bustling High Street and the station. A part of Harpenden’s Community for nearly 200 years, we have lovingly refurbished the pub to bring it up to date - a public house for the 21st century.
We serve top quality Modern British food in our dining room, it’s just a little bit special but welcoming and unpretentious. We’ve retained our bar so everyone is welcome to call in for a drink and a bar snack.
Our small and dedicated kitchen and front of house team are here to welcome you and create a memorable experience, whether you are simply calling in for a drink, to catch up with friends over lunch or indulge for a special occasion.
The Silver Cup is led by siblings, Matthew and Olivia, who grew up in Harpenden and share a love of good food and drink and who have returned to their home town to offer the warmest hospitality and top notch food to locals and visitors alike.
SILVER CUP
19th Century
SILVER CUP
Present Day
Our Story
Established in 1838, Silver Cup was a classic Victorian public house at the end of the Harpenden race course on the common - traditionally the winner was awarded a silver cup, hence our name. As far we know, we are the only pub in the country called The Silver Cup!
Matthew took over the lease in spring 2020 in the depths of the first Coronavirus lockdown and took the time he was forced to close to lovingly refurbish the interior of the pub and transform it into a contemporary
and stylish dining space.
OUR AMBITION
A high end food and drink offering in a relaxed and casual dining environment.
We aim to be a contemporary public house with a casual neighbourhood restaurant serving some
of Britains finest produce.
Having completed work on the garden and downstairs in 2023 our next ambition is to renovate the rooms to attract local guests and those from further afield.
We will always be a pub at heart and part of the Harpenden community we grew up in.
OUR PEOPLE
Matthew and Olivia grew up in Harpenden and have gained years of experience working in bars and restaurants
around the world. They are supported by a small dedicated team and all share a love for good food and drink
and warm hospitality.
Matthew
CHEF PATRON
Matthew is a passionate chef who has always loved food and cooking and is dedicated to creating imaginative Modern British Food. He loves sourcing the best seasonal British produce and designing menus that will surprise and delight people with inventive twists.
Matthew has worked in some of the top restaurants in London and Hertfordshire including Auberge du Lac,The Typing Room, The Galvin Brothers and Anglo in Farringdon where he was head chef.
Having grown up in Harpenden in a family who ran The Silver Cup for seven years and with aunts and grandparents running pubs in North London, Matthew was almost destined to build his life around working in hospitality. After graduating from Westminster Catering College, he travelled to Australia to expand his palate and discover new culinary techniques and styles. Back in London he developed his love of British produce and worked with some of the top names in the industry including Lee Westcott, Mark Jarvis, Tom Spence and Galvin Brothers. Driven to run his own restaurant, he began hosting weekly supper clubs at what was then his fathers pub, The Silver Cup along with the support of his sister Olivia.
Olivia
FOOD AND BEVERAGE DIRECTOR
Food and Beverage Director Olivia’s personal love for all things food and drink, meant a career in hospitality was inevitable. Her journey began with a focus on Event Management during her university years.
After completing her degree, she wanted to travel and see more of the world. Over a few years and various continents she was able to experience all different hospitality vendors from street food in Asia to 5* star hotels in Europe and the Middle East. Having spent a couple of years working in Australia, which is one of the leading new world culinary countries, she has gained a real understanding of produce lead restaurants in a casual dining experience. Olivia strives to create a comfortable dining environment by welcoming all guests with warmth, care and guidance.
She believes the key to hospitality is to make people feel at home. With three brothers, Olivia perfected the art of being the bossy sister in her early years and has now embraced a lifetime subscription to the role.
Josh
Sous Chef
Meet Josh, our talented Sous Chef, who has been an invaluable member of our team for two years. Josh is a local lad, born and breed in Luton.
From a young age he has always found himself in and around the kitchen. After working in a number of local pubs and restaurants his talents caught the eye of Chef Russell Bateman, who extended an offer at Colletes @ The Grove.
Josh formed a strong relationship with Russell and they teamed up in three different restaurants, including the Gordon Ramsay's 'Petrus' in Knightsbridge. During his culinary adventures, Josh also spent two years at The Tudor Room in Surrey, where they achieved a Michelin star in just five months. He enjoys each section of the kitchen from the hot side to pastry and even knocking up the odd staff meal. An encounter with Matthew, reignited his desire to come closer to his roots and The Silver Cup was the ideal place. With the added bonus of being back around the corner from the beloved Luton Town FC & Kenilworth Road - it sealed the deal for him.
