Over the past two years, under the direction of owner Tom Arnold, The Burleigh Arms has become one of the city’s standout dining destinations, earning two AA Rosettes and national recognition among the UK’s top gastropubs. The arrival of Sturman marks a natural progression — strengthening an already established offering while giving guests new reasons to return.
Sturman, 29, joins from The Bull Inn, Troston, where he led the kitchen to two AA Rosettes and a place in the Good Food Guide’s Best Pubs in Britain. He has also trained in some of the UK’s most respected Michelin-starred restaurants, including Midsummer House in Cambridge, The Raby Hunt in Darlington, Pollen Street Social in London and Morston Hall in Norfolk. His cooking is firmly produce-led, combining technical precision with a lightness of touch that allows ingredients to take centre stage.
This next step was previewed on Thursday evening at a relaunch event attended by invited guests, including leading food writers, fellow gastropub operators and representatives from Wells & Co, the Bedford-based pub company and brewery. The menu offered a clear sense of direction — refined but approachable dishes designed to feel both memorable and worth revisiting. Highlights included hand-dived Orkney scallop crudo with nashi pear and lime, Cornish wild bass with crab and kaffir lime, and salt-aged lamb paired with a rich shepherd’s pie.
For guests, that approach will now shape the experience at The Burleigh Arms: confident, seasonal cooking rooted in quality produce, with an added focus on detail, balance and consistency across every visit.
Tom Arnold said: “We’ve always wanted The Burleigh to be somewhere people can rely on — whether that’s for a great meal or just a good time. What we’ve achieved so far has given us a strong platform, and bringing Sam in is about building on that in the right way.
“He shares our belief in doing things properly and never standing still. This is about continuing to improve, refining what we do, and making sure there’s always something new for guests to come back for.”
Sam Sturman added: “The Burleigh already has a great reputation, so for me it’s about building on those foundations and evolving that, making every part of the experience feel considered. It starts with the ingredients, but it’s also about how everything comes together — flavour, presentation and the overall feel when you’re here.
“We want people to leave having really enjoyed their time with us, and to feel like it’s somewhere they want to return to.”
Set within a historic Cambridge building dating back to the 1820s, The Burleigh Arms continues to balance the character of a great British pub with a forward-thinking approach to food. With a growing reputation both locally and nationally, this latest chapter further strengthens its place at the forefront of modern British dining in Cambridge.
