Roux Scholar Matthew Tomkinson named executive chef at The Hambrough

Matthew Tomkinson has been named executive chef at The Hambrough on the Isle of Wight. 

As the Ventnor restaurant is set to reopen on May 17th, having the chef and 2005 Roux scholar at the helm is hoped to improve on its nationwide notoriety.

After completing a placement at the Les Prés d’Eugénie in the Landes region in France, he was named head chef at at The Goose in Britwell Salome in Oxfordshire, and shortly thereafter he earned a Michelin star for the restaurant.

He then moved to the Montagu Arms Hotel Beaulieu in Hampshire, where he secured a star for the Terrace restaurant and retained it for eight years. In 2019, he was named chef patron at The King's Head gastropub in Whiteparish, Wiltshire.

The Hambrough Group said that having the chef on board would help elevate its existing reputation as one of the key destinations on the Island’s culinary map.

The chef told The County Press that he was "thrilled" to take on the role, "particularly as it will give me the chance to work closely with local suppliers, showcasing the abundance of fine, seasonal produce available on the Island.

"I’ve already been fortunate to use some of the Island’s home-grown ingredients in my professional career.

"I’m extremely excited to expand upon this experience at The Hambrough.”