Famous Devon food pub celebrates the start of an exciting new chapter
Everyone at FORCE would like to send our best wishes to the new owners of one of the West Country’s best known dining pubs, which has been a fantastic supporter of our charity for many years.
The Jack in the Green at Rockbeare, near Exeter, recently changed hands and is celebrating the beginning of a new chapter in its proud and illustrious history under husband-and-wife team Craig and Miranda Griffin, who now own and run it.
It was previously owned and managed by Paul and Judy Parnell from May 1992 until April 2024.
During that time the pub was transformed from an ailing, dilapidated roadside inn into an independent, multi-accoladed dining pub. Over those three decades, the business has also been a proud sponsor of Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club, trained four winners of the prestigious South West Chef of the Year competition and raised more than £90,000 to help disadvantaged children living in Devon.
Nurture
Building on their combined 20 years of service at The Jack, Craig (31) will continue to lead the kitchen and Miranda (26) Front of House, with both also overseeing various apprenticeships and employing 30 local staff.
The pub will continue to nurture its close knit relationships with Sidmouth Rugby Club and their long-term chosen charity, FORCE while also remaining active members of Taste East Devon and East Devon Excellence to help promote tourism.
Miranda commented: “We’re thrilled to be taking over the Jack! A huge thank you to Paul and Judy for all their support and kindness over the years and the opportunity to continue an epic journey – we couldn’t have asked for a more revered or cherished Devon dining institution to now call our own. We fully intend on continuing exactly as we are. Thirty-two years ago Paul implemented two simple factors – excellent food and excellent service – and here we are taking on the business with an incredible reputation built on that basis. That said, the cost of living crisis is very much happening – we are seeing it day to day. We want the Jack to be a place where everyone can come and feel welcome, eat something delicious within their budget and leave feeling better than when they arrived.”
Proud
Paul added: “Wow, the end of a career spent dedicated entirely to hospitality… retirement has finally caught up with me! After 32 years of hard work, more than £13 million spent on local food and drink, three cutting edge kitchens, four refurbishments, one pandemic and several recessions later, The Jack is still going from strength to strength both as a business and as a dream. Much may have changed since we began in 1992 but many of our qualities and the energy for what we do has remained the same – we still lead by example and still proudly nurture the next generation. More than three decades on and it gives me great pride to hand over the reins to Craig and Miranda…. Long live The Jack!”
Craig and Miranda have already underlined their continuing support FORCE. On Sunday 30th June, Miranda will be cycling 100 miles as part of the 25th The Nello ride and Craig will be cooking at one of the pit stops for cyclists at Nomansland, near Tiverton.
Olly Watts, FORCE Head of Income Generation, said: “We wish Craig and Miranda every success. Paul and Judy have been fantastic supporters of FORCE for many years and we look forward to working with the new Team Jack!”
For more information on the pub please visit: www.jackinthegreen.uk.com
Follow the Jack on Instagram: @thejackinthegreen
