The world knows her as a fierce Marvel assassin or a despondent cult survivor, but in her hometown of Oxford, Florence Pugh is simply the girl who’s a bit slow with the coffee orders. Despite her meteoric rise to A-list status—cemented by an Academy Award nomination for her role as Amy March in Little Women (2019)—Pugh remains famously tethered to her roots.
For the Pugh family, Christmas isn’t just about red carpets; it’s about surviving the holiday rush at her father’s renowned establishments, such as Kazbar and Café CoCo.
“Ordered Around Like an Intern”
Florence’s father, Clinton Pugh, is a staple of the Oxford culinary scene. He has owned and operated several beloved spots on Cowley Road for four decades. According to Mr. Pugh, the Hollywood glamour vanishes the moment Florence walks through the door on Christmas Eve.
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The Reality Check: Customers often double-take when they see the “Black Widow” clearing tables. Clinton jokingly notes that behind her Oscar-nominated glory, she is still mercilessly “ordered around” by him like any other staff member.
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The “Bar” Power: Florence has credited her time behind the bar for her confidence, famously telling Vogue, “There’s an enormous amount of power when you’re behind a bar.”
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A Family Affair: All the Pugh siblings, including Game of Thrones actor Toby Sebastian, grew up working in the family cafes, making cappuccinos and learning how to handle difficult customers.
A Career Defined by Groundedness
This “down-to-earth” nature has become a hallmark of Pugh’s public persona. Whether she is posting her “Cooking with Flo” videos on Instagram or taking her parents as her dates to the Academy Awards, she refuses to let the industry change her. Her father’s restaurants served as the backdrop for her creativity long before she reached professional sets.
The End of an Oxford Era
Recent years have been challenging for the family business. Clinton Pugh has been vocal about the financial strain on independent Oxford businesses, reporting losses of over £1 million due to local traffic restrictions (LTNs).
“My family has been incredibly helpful, especially my daughter, who has given me a huge amount of money to get us out of this,” Clinton recently revealed, highlighting Florence’s fierce loyalty.
In a bittersweet update in early 2025, Clinton confirmed he had officially sold his final remaining business, Kazbar, to another local family. While this marks the end of his 40-year career as an Oxford restaurateur, the legacy of the “Dishwashing Star” lives on. Florence’s commitment to her father—even helping him financially to ensure he could retire comfortably—proves she will always be an Oxford girl at heart.