Congratulations to John Campbell and his team, we wish them every success in Ventnor who is planning to take over from Robert Thompson chef. This just in from The Hambrough Group. In their own words. Ed
Chef John Campbell is making a sensational return to the hotel and restaurant scene following a 17-month hiatus, Caterer can exclusively reveal.
The former two-Michelin-starred chef, who left Coworth Park in Ascot, Berkshire, in November 2011, has acquired The Hambrough in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight from chef patron Robert Thompson.
John Campbell Restaurants
Under his new business, John Campbell Restaurants, the double Catey Award-winning chef will oversee the food and beverage outlets and the accommodation at the one-Michelin-starred property.
The portfolio at The Hambrough includes the seven-bedroom hotel and 38-seat restaurant, The Villa Lavinia (a five bedroom villa and a two bedroom apartment), and The Pond Café (an Italian-influenced restaurant with 30 covers).
Deal includes Ventnor Winter Gardens
The deal also sees Campbell taking over the redevelopment of the Ventnor Winter Gardens project, incorporating a 34 bedroom hotel, food and beverage outlets and a 400 seat auditorium.
Olly Rouse, Campbell’s former head chef at restaurant John Campbell at Coworth Park, which held one Michelin star, will be heading up the team at The Hambrough.
Thompson: “Decided to seek out new adventure”
Thompson said “I’ve had an excellent five years on the Island but have decided to seek out a new challenge, he wished John and team all the best and thanked all of his customers and team for all their support”
Campbell will continue to consult to BaxterStorey.
Campbell joined Coworth Park in Ascot, Berkshire, in 2009 as director of cuisine from the Vineyard in Stockcross, also in Berkshire, where he held two Michelin stars.
Update
Following clarification of ‘acquisition’, headline changed from ‘Hamborough Group sold: Robert Thompson to leave the Island’ to ‘The Hamborough: Robert Thompson to leave the Island’ and extract changed from ‘Island ambassador Robert Thompson has decided to seek out a new challenge he says, as Hambrough Group sells’ to ‘Island ambassador Robert Thompson has decided to seek out a new challenge he says, as Hambrough businesses ‘acquired’ by Chef John Campbell’
Image: © Chef John Campbell
