FOOD
New chef, fresh beginnings...
G
raham Walker has taken up the
position as new Head Chef at
Ventnor Botanic Garden. Taking
over the management of The Plantation
Room Café and edulis restaurant,
Graham, along with newly appointed
Front of House Manager Kirsty Lawrie,
will be delivering an excellent dining
experience all year round.
Since joining the VBG team in January,
Graham has been working behind the
scenes creating new menus and will be
stamping his own unique cooking style
on VBG’s ethos of only using the freshest,
local and VBG grown ingredients.
VBG’s experts continue to grow soft
fruit, vegetables and micro herbs that
will take centre stage in Graham’s
cooking. At edulis restaurant, a name that
means edible in Latin, Graham will be
experimenting with new and unusual
ingredients that can’t be found in the
local supermarket.
When Graham and his team open edulis
restaurant later in the year, visitors will
be able to enjoy dishes while overlooking
the Mediterranean Garden and fountain.
edulis will also be open on selected
evenings this summer offering an alfresco
dining experience amongst the rare and
sub-tropical flowers that inhabit the
Botanic Garden. VBG also makes for a
unique and scenic setting for birthdays,
parties and other special occasions.
Details of special openings and dining
events can be found at the VBG website or
by joining the VBG mailing list.
Graham was born and bred on the
Isle of Wight, originally hailing from
Freshwater, but now settled in Ventnor.
He has trained under such top names as
Kevin Mangeolles, Nathan Outlaw and
John Campbell. As a veteran of Michelin
Starred kitchens, he has vast and varied
experience.
Graham’s cooking style focuses on
getting the very best from his ingredients.
By using local produce and simple
cooking processes to maintain and
maximise flavour, every plate offers an
uncomplicated take on modern cuisine.
Graham believes his back-to-basics
approach will work well with having a
Botanic Garden as his pantry. He added:
“I’m working with the Garden’s Curator to
find new seeds to grow exotic edibles that
can’t be found anywhere else and push
the boundaries of what we can deliver."
The Plantation Room Café is open daily
from 10am serving light lunches and
homemade cakes. edulis restaurant is
open throughout the summer months.
There is free parking and free entry with
admission fees only applying to visitors
entering the garden.
For more information or to make a
reservation or for more information call
(01983) 855307 or email café@botanic.
co.uk.
www.visitilife.com
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