130 LIFESTYLE
MARK POYNTON RETURNS TO CAMBRIDGE
WITH ANCIENT SHEPHERDS
Established residents of Fen Ditton, Gareth and Emma have been fans of Mark Poynton’ s cooking ever since he opened his Cambridge restaurant, Alimentum, in 2009.
Having lived in the village for over 20 years, the pair safeguard the future of MJP @ The Shepherds and are proud to be part of its next chapter. With over two decades of running a successful Cambridge business behind them, Gareth and Emma ensure that Ancient Shepherds gives back to the local community. They work with two Cambridge charities: Centre 33, which offers free and confidential support to young people, and Jimmy’ s, which provides housing and assistance to those experiencing homelessness. Support takes the form of“ invisible dishes,” charitable events, and pledges to donate from profits made by the restaurant.
Fresh from winning a Michelin star for his Norwich restaurant, Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall, Mark leads the kitchen at Ancient Shepherds with his right-hand man, Chris Lee. Chris’ s background includes holding three AA rosettes for more than a decade across Suffolk restaurants such as The Bildeston Crown. Together, they focus exclusively on a tasting menu that reduces waste while elevating both customer and staff experience. Tight menu management keeps food costs sustainable while the regularly changing dishes encourage diners to return. The structure also allows for a healthy balance behind the scenes: one team works four days a week, with set holidays when the restaurant closes. For Mark, creating a happy, balanced team goes hand in hand with building a thriving business.
The kitchen uses as many ingredients as possible from the Kitchen Garden at the back of the restaurant, complemented by Mark’ s long-trusted suppliers. Menus come as three, five or seven courses, each including bread, snacks, and amuse bouche. Current dishes include chilled pea mousse with cottage cheese and truffle, wakame-cured cod with tomato and elder ponzu, loin of hogget with tapenade and courgette, and for dessert, pineapple parfait with fennel sorbet and pollen meringue.
The restaurant is housed in a former pub dating back to 1580. Emma has overseen a sympathetic refurbishment that preserves the building’ s character, using a Farrow & Ball palette of soft plaster pink and grey to complement the exposed brickwork. Contemporary touches include ceramic slatetopped tables, while walls host rotating exhibitions curated by Fen Ditton Gallery, featuring artists such as Roger Law, Rebecca Jewell, and Felix Higham.
With space for 34 covers, the restaurant maintains an unpretentious style where food takes centre stage. A cosy lounge welcomes guests for pre- or post-dinner drinks, while five simple, stylish rooms upstairs offer an overnight stay or a base to explore Cambridge.
With Mark’ s reputation continuing to grow, Ancient Shepherds stands as both a community hub and a destination restaurant, strengthening Cambridge’ s vibrant food scene.
www. ancientshepherds. com
THE ART OF LUXURY ISSUE 72 2025