The Atlantic Hotel and Ocean Restaurant has announced that Michel Roux Jr, world-renowned, 2 Michelin star chef, television personality and owner of Le Gavroche in London is set to headline the Eat Jersey Food Festival 2023.
After a hiatus due to Covid, the gourmet food festival returns from Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th March 2023. Executive Chef, Will Holland will be joined by a stellar line up of renowned chefs for this four day event celebrating Jersey’s finest produce.
The highlight of the festival will be a collaborative six course tasting menu designed and prepared by Michel Roux Jr and Will Holland, served in Ocean Restaurant on Friday 24th March.
Executive Chef, Will Holland said: “I met with Michel Roux Jr at the International Cheese show in 2021 and began conversations with him about visiting Jersey and the plans we had for Eat Jersey in 2023. He was really enthusiastic about the island and our local produce and I was over the moon when he said he wanted to be involved. The lineup this year is better than ever before and we’re really excited to bring this amazing event to Jersey.”
Announcing the return of Eat Jersey, Patrick Burke, Owner and Managing Director of The Atlantic Hotel and founder of the Eat Jersey Food Festival, said: “When we started Eat Jersey in 2015, it was with a strong desire to celebrate the exceptional produce to be found on our beautiful island, as well as the remarkable dining experiences it offers.
“We are thrilled that this unique event will be returning in March 2023 after a couple of missed years due to Covid and I must say that to secure Michel Roux Jr as the headline chef is incredibly exciting. It promises to be a spectacular four days combining some of the UK’s best chefs with the finest Jersey produce.”
The festival will kick off on Thursday 23rd March with the Famous Five dinner. A spectacular five course banquet crafted by five outstanding chefs who have all been part of Will Holland’s brigade at one time or another and have gone on to be famous chefs in their own right. Joining Will on the night will be:
- Liam Dillon, The Boat Inn in Lichfield
- Tim Spedding, Lola’s in Padstow
- Ian Swainson, formerly Amarillo in Brighton
- Chris O’Callaghan, The Devonshire Arms on the Bolton Abbey Estate
- Andy Lynam, The Devonshire Arms on the Bolton Abbey Estate
On Saturday 25th March the hotel is delighted to welcome Bryn Williams. Hailing from North Wales, Bryn has previously worked under Marco Pierre White and Michel Roux Jr and is now Chef Patron of Odettes in London. Bryn will be serving a three course lunch with dishes inspired by Porth Eirias, his relaxed beach side bistro, and in the evening a four course dinner from his neighbourhood restaurant, Odettes.
The festival concludes on Sunday 26th March with an informal Jazz Brunch from award-winning chef Elliott Lidstone. Elliott brings with him trendy industrial vibes from BOX-E, his shipping container based restaurant on the Bristol docks, recently crowned the best restaurant outside London by Food & Travel Magazine readers.
Ingredients featured throughout Eat Jersey will be sourced from the land and waters surrounding the island wherever possible. By working with produce grown, reared and fished locally, the festival will seek to minimise food miles and reduce its environmental impact.
International charity Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust will again be the festival’s philanthropic partner. Headquartered at Jersey Zoo, Durrell has a mission of saving species from extinction and focuses on the most threatened species in the most threatened places. Through its work at the zoo and in the wild, its aim is for more diverse, beautiful and resilient natural landscapes in which species can thrive and people can enjoy a deeper connection with nature. To date, The Atlantic Hotel has raised almost £30,000 in support of Durrell.
More details about the Eat Jersey Food Festival 2023 can be found here.
Photo Credit: Jodi Hinds Food Photographer London
