New Face Behind The Bar At Popular Shepherd Neame Pub!

A new face is behind the bar at Shepherd Neame’s waterside pub Pier Five in Chatham Maritime.

Sunny Chowdhury, 33, has just been appointed as General Manager at the contemporary bar and kitchen, which boasts a beautiful marina setting on the River Medway.

He brings years of hospitality experience to the role, after taking on his first part-time job in a Café Rouge at the age of 18 while studying Business Administration at King’s College in London. He was appointed Assistant Manager three years later, before moving on to work as a General Manager for The Restaurant Group in Rochester, then at Prezzo restaurants in Maidstone and Canterbury.

Sunny said: “I had worked for Prezzo for five years, and was looking for a new challenge. I was very familiar with Shepherd Neame as I moved from Guildford to Gravesend with my family when I was 16 and have lived in Kent ever since, so I had visited lots of their sites over the years and enjoyed their range of food and drinks.

“After working for big national companies which are very centrally-focused and dictate what you do, the prospect of working for an independent family business really appealed, so when I saw the role at Pier Five was available, I decided to go for it.”

Since starting at Pier Five, Sunny’s priority has been to work on showcasing everything on offer at the venue, with customers able to enjoy an extensive range of drinks, delicious menu and games including shuffleboard and darts.

He said: “There really is something for everyone to enjoy at Pier Five, and we want more people to know about it! We have a wide selection of award-winning beers and lagers, along with premium wines, spirits and cocktails. Our kitchen team have also created a fantastic menu to suit all tastes, including gourmet burgers, homemade pizzas and our incredibly popular loaded fries. It is my intention to make Pier Five the most versatile place to visit.”

Sunny has also been focused on developing his team since taking on the site. He added: “The thing that I love best about working as a leader in this industry is being able to support people and help them progress. We have a fantastic team at Pier Five and it has been great to get to know them since I joined. By putting in the time to identify any issues, offer support and do your best to ensure everyone feels fulfilled and supported in their roles, you get the best results. That will then ensure that you offer an exceptional experience that make customers return again and again.

“We have already seen record bookings for our festive menu in December, and I’m really excited about what we can achieve going forwards. The support of key members of the company has given my decision-making much confidence and I am looking forward to my future with my new family.”