Alex AitkenChef Patron, The Jetty, Christchurch

Alex Aitken, our Chef Patron, is one of the South of England’s most respected chefs. Alex has a passion for local ingredients, which is evident in his outstanding seasonal, fresh food.

Having opened his first restaurant, Le Poussin, in 1983, Alex taught himself to cook – a fact that Gordon Ramsay noted when he named Le Poussin one of his top 11 favourite places to eat in The Times.

Alex’s culinary journey began on the seas, where he worked as a trawler man, giving him unparalleled knowledge of fish and seafood and how to make the most of the ocean’s bounty. Championing simple, seasonal and local produce from the very beginning – Alex has received multiple awards and accolades to support this philosophy.

As Chef Patron for The Jetty, Alex is committed to creating menus that showcase the region’s finest flavours: “I started my career as a trawler man and this ‘raw’ fishing experience proved invaluable and a culinary asset during my career as a chef. I spent twenty five years of cooking within the New Forest, including many years running my own highly-acclaimed restaurant, Le Poussin in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, which led to my Michelin Star in 1995.

…and now I am here, at The Jetty, celebrating over 30 years in the business, producing the locally sourced sustainable food I love, for you all to enjoy with me!”

To enquire about making a reservation at The Jetty, please call us on the number below, or enquire online and we’ll get back to you.