It all started as a bold mission—Jeremy Clarkson, the former Top Gear host, wanted to serve nothing but 100% British-made products at his countryside pub, The Farmer’s Dog, in the Cotswolds.
But that patriotic vision quickly sparked controversy.
Why? Because certain staple items didn’t make the cut. No Coca-Cola. No coffee.
And, perhaps most jarring for British food lovers—no ketchup.
The Bold ‘No Ketchup’ Policy That Got People Talking
When Clarkson opened his pub last year, he proudly announced that everything on the menu would be British-grown or made in the UK.
Admirable? Absolutely. But it came with limitations.
Customers quickly noticed the absence of familiar global items, and the huge “No Ketchup” sign at the pub drew both laughter and grumbles.
While many admired the commitment to local sourcing, the absence of basic condiments raised eyebrows.
After all, what’s a burger or bacon sandwich without a squeeze of ketchup?
A British Sauce Company Steps Up to the Challenge
Enter Condimaniac, a UK-based sauce company founded by Kier Kemp and Jennifer Dreier.
Inspired by Clarkson’s ketchup ban, they decided to do something about it.
Their mission? Create a 100% British ketchup that could proudly sit on the pub’s tables without compromising Clarkson’s homegrown vision.
After months of experimenting with local ingredients, they succeeded—and decided to hand-deliver a batch to The Farmer’s Dog.
First Reactions: “I’m Not Having Heinz Again!”
Even before meeting the pub manager, Annie, curious customers got a taste of the new ketchup—and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
One diner declared they were “never having Heinz again,” while a staff member from the Farmer’s Puppy—a smaller tented version of the pub—praised the effort.
The meeting with Annie turned out to be more than just cordial.
She agreed on the spot to stock the ketchup for wholesale at the pub’s on-site butcher shop and serve it at the Farmer’s Puppy.
A win for everyone involved.
Condimaniac Co-Founder Sings Clarkson’s Praises
After the visit, Kier Kemp couldn’t help but express how impressed he was with the team.
He noted that Clarkson’s pub doesn’t just say it’s committed to British products—they live and breathe it.
“They’re not just putting on a show. It’s real,” Kemp said.
“Honestly, the best wholesale clients I’ve ever worked with.”
He added that everyone he met was “super lovely,” saying, “That’s not always the case in this business.”
The new ketchup is now available on Condimaniac’s website—though it’s currently sold out, thanks to high demand.
The Music Mishap That Stirred Up British Pride
While the ketchup dilemma may be resolved, there’s still one odd detail that visitors can’t stop talking about—the music.
Despite branding itself as proudly British, some guests were puzzled by the very American soundtrack playing at The Farmer’s Dog.
One visitor, James Milligan, took to social media to express his confusion after spending two hours listening to American-themed songs.
“Food was amazing,” he said, “but please change the music to suit. #NotBritish.”
Avocados, Coca-Cola, and Country Music?
This isn’t the first time Clarkson’s strict British-only policy has faced criticism.
On his website, he even jokes about how hard it is to run a pub without basics like avocado or Coca-Cola.
But the irony didn’t go unnoticed—while customers are told there’s “no coffee” and “no ketchup,” they were surprised to hear country and western music blasting through the speakers.
Some called it a contradiction, considering Clarkson’s long-running British pride.
A Nod to Clarkson’s Provocative Past
Let’s not forget, Clarkson’s history with American culture has always been a little tongue-in-cheek.
Back in 2007, he famously drove through Alabama with the phrase “Country and western is rubbish” painted on his car—a stunt that caused more than a few raised eyebrows.
So maybe the music choice is another subtle joke, or maybe it’s just a pub playlist that needs tweaking.
The Story Behind The Farmer’s Dog
Clarkson bought the pub, formerly known as The Windmill, in the village of Asthall near Burford for around £1 million.
After a renovation, he rebranded it as The Farmer’s Dog, named in honour of his dogs and the nearby Diddly Squat farm that he runs.
The pub offers a hearty menu featuring dishes like gammon steak and ham hock terrine, all made with meat reared on British soil.
What’s Next for Clarkson’s Pub?
With the ketchup conundrum now delightfully solved, and feedback pouring in from loyal fans, the future of The Farmer’s Dog looks as flavorful as ever.
Maybe the playlist will get a British makeover next—or maybe that’s just part of the Clarkson charm: doing things his own way, even if it’s a little cheeky.
Either way, one thing’s clear—this pub is still stirring up conversation, one bottle of homegrown sauce at a time.