Our Story
Kinghams Story
William Blackman built Kinghams Restaurant in approximately 1620, a prosperous time for Shere, thanks to the wool trade. At some point in the 1800’s the front door was moved from the front of the building to the side and the building was extended, making what we now call the reception and bar area. It was previously known as The Hangman’s Cottage and until the 1970’s, Oak Cottage.
Kinghams Restaurant, opened by Paul Baker in 1993, was named after Paul’s late grandfather Reginald Kingham. Mr Kingham’s sculpture, created by his daughter, Paul’s mother, can be found sitting on the bar at the entrance to the Restaurant.
Kinghams Timeline
Circa 1620
Kinghams was once known as Hangman’s Cottage as its occupant worked at the Shere gibbet! Kinghams was originally two labourers’ cottages on the Netley Estate.
1993
Paul bought the building in 1993 & proceeded to create Kinghams Restaurant.
2006
Mohssine joins the team after completing his Cordon Bleu diploma with Tante Marie and training at the Mirabella Restaurant in Mayfair.
2012
Jack joins the team after working in restaurants and hotels across Surrey.
2013
Kinghams won Surrey Life’s Restaurant of the Year Award being named as the top eatery in Surrey and has been a finalist three times since then.
Kinghams Restaurant was purchased by Jack and Mohssine in 2019. Mohssine has been a chef for the best part of 20 years after completing his Diploma in
Cordon Bleu Cookery at the Tante Marie School of Cookery. Early in his career he worked in a variety of prestigious establishments including The Mirabelle, Sonny’s, Bachmann’s Patisserie, and Island at the Royal Lancaster.
Jack became the restaurant manager at Kinghams in 2012. After studying Hospitality Management, Jack continued to complete other hospitality and wine qualifications and his passion for food and wine carries on driving the restaurant forward.
Kinghams Restaurant offers a high standard of contemporary dining with personal service, thanks to a dedicated team in the kitchen and front of house. Fresh local produce, attention to detail and interesting fine wines have proved a successful formula and Kinghams Restaurant continues to thrive.
Mohssine re-joins the Team
2018
Kinghams turned a fabulous 25 in 2018, celebrating years of dedication and consistency in a challenging industry.
2019
2019
Kinghams won Surrey Life Restaurant of the Year for a second time.
2022
Present
Our customers continue to enjoy our friendly service, seasonal food and quality, well chosen wines.