The Toby Roast Story: Serving You Since 1985
At the Heart of the British Sunday Roast
For generations, the Sunday roast has been the heart of British family life. It’s a tradition we cherish; a time to gather, share stories, and enjoy a meal that’s comforting, generous, and lovingly prepared. At Toby Carvery, we’ve been the proud home of the roast since 1985. But our story isn't just about serving a meal; it's about honouring a tradition. It’s a story that begins in the early hours of the morning, with dedicated chefs and the finest ingredients.
It All Starts with Our Chefs
Long before our doors open, the heart of our kitchen is already beating. Our roast chefs are the masters of their craft. Their day begins with firing up the ovens and expertly preparing each joint of meat for the slow-roasting that will make it perfect. They are the guardians of our gravy, the makers of our Yorkies, and the carvers-in-chief who greet you at the deck. Their passion is ensuring that every single plate that leaves the carvery deck is a true and worthy tribute to the great British roast.
More than a Sunday meal: Butcher-Selected Meat
A roast is only as good as its centrepiece. That’s why we take such care in sourcing our meat from trusted sources.
Roast Beef: Our beef joints are basted in their own juices and slow-cooked for hours to be perfectly tender and succulent.
Roast Gammon: Our honey and mustard-glazed gammon is a sweet and savoury favourite, cooked until it’s ready to fall apart.
Roast Turkey: A classic for a reason. Our turkey crowns are tender and full of flavour, a taste of celebration every day of the week.
Roast Pork: With a generous helping of crackling, our roast pork is a masterclass in texture and taste.
The Secret to the Perfect Toby Potato
Everyone knows the perfect roast potato must be crispy on the outside and wonderfully fluffy on the inside. It’s a culinary science, and we’ve perfected it.
Our chefs select the best potatoes for the job before peeling and chopping them by hand every morning. They are parboiled until just tender, then gently shaken, or "hand-ruffled", to create the all-important rough edges. This is the secret to a truly crunchy finish. Finally, they’re roasted in sizzling hot oil until they are gleaming, golden, and irresistibly crisp.
The Art of the Perfect, Wonky Yorkie
Some people look for perfect symmetry. We look for perfect taste. Our famous Toby Yorkies are never frozen. The batter is mixed fresh throughout the day from a simple, traditional recipe of flour, egg, and milk.
We pour it into hot tins and bake until it rises into a glorious, golden cloud. Because they are freshly baked, no two are ever the same. They are gloriously, authentically "wonky", and that’s how you know they’re the real deal. A crisp, light, and airy pudding, ready to be filled with our signature gravy.
Your Plate, Your Way
From our fluffy mash and seasonal steamed vegetables to our mac & cheese, every element is there to help you build your perfect roast. And to top it all off, our rich, savoury gravy is simmered to perfection, ready to crown your creation.
Our Story is Your Tradition
Since we first opened our doors, we’ve been the place families come to share a proper roast dinner. We handle the peeling, the roasting, and the washing up, so you can focus on the important part: the time spent together.
We’re proud of our story, and we’re proud to be a part of yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a Toby Carvery roast special?
It's the care that goes into every element. Our roast chefs start early each morning to slow-roast butcher-selected meat, hand-ruffle every potato for extra crunch, and mix fresh Yorkshire pudding batter throughout the day. Nothing is frozen or rushed; it's a proper roast, done properly, and we've been doing it since 1985.
Where does Toby Carvery get its meat from?
Our meat comes from trusted farms, so you can be confident in its quality and origin every time you visit.
How does Toby Carvery make their roast potatoes so crispy?
It starts with hand-peeling and chopping fresh potatoes every morning. They're parboiled until just tender, then gently shaken- what we call "hand-ruffled" to rough up the edges before roasting in sizzling hot fat. That rough texture is what gives them their signature crunch on the outside and fluffy centre.
Are Toby Carvery Yorkshire puddings fresh?
Yes, our Yorkshire puddings are never frozen. We mix the batter fresh throughout the day from a simple recipe of flour, egg, and milk, then bake it until golden. Because each one is made fresh, no two turn out exactly alike, a sign they're the real deal, not a factory product.
Who are the chefs behind the Toby Carvery roast?
Our roast chefs are the people behind every plate, arriving before opening to fire up the ovens, prepare the joints, hand-ruffle the potatoes, and carve at the deck. They're the guardians of our gravy and the makers of our Yorkies, dedicated to getting every detail right before you sit down.
Is a Toby Carvery a traditional English Sunday roast?
Yes. While we serve it every day of the week, the Toby Carvery roast is built on the same principles as a classic English Sunday roast: slow-roasted meat, crispy potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and rich gravy, made fresh using traditional methods, honouring over 35 years of British roast dinner heritage.