Michelin-Starred Chef Matthew Tomkinson Joins Harbour Hotel Southampton
Harbour Hotel Southampton announces the appointment of Roux Scholar Matthew Tomkinson as Executive Head Chef at The Jetty Ocean Village
Left to right: Mike Warren, CEO of Harbour Hotels; Matthew Tomkinson, Executive Chef; Alex Aitken, Chef Patron; and Jorge Gertrudes, General Manager.
April 2026…// Harbour Hotel Southampton has announced the appointment of Michelin-starred chef and Roux Scholarship winner Matthew Tomkinson as Executive Head Chef at its waterfront restaurant The Jetty Ocean Village, marking a significant new chapter for the South Coast dining destination.
Joining alongside newly appointed General Manager Jorge Gertrudes, Tomkinson will lead the culinary direction of The Jetty Ocean Village, bringing a renewed focus on elevated, ingredient-led dining rooted in seasonality and coastal provenance.
The appointment forms part of the continued evolution of The Jetty restaurants, under the direction of Chef Patron Alex Aitken, whose long-standing influence and commitment to British seafood and produce define the group’s culinary identity.
“Harbour Hotel Southampton has always been about delivering exceptional hospitality in a unique waterfront setting. The arrival of Michelin-starred chef Matthew Tomkinson at The Jetty Ocean Village, alongside Gertrudes’ appointment as General Manager, represent a significant investment in the future of the hotel. Together, they bring outstanding culinary and operational expertise that will further elevate the guest experience.”
Mike Warren, CEO of Harbour Hotels
Matthew Tomkinson, Executive Head Chef at The Jetty Ocean Village
Leading the culinary direction at The Jetty Ocean Village, Matthew Tomkinson brings a distinguished career shaped by some of the UK’s most respected kitchens. A Michelin-starred chef and winner of the prestigious Roux Scholarship, he is best known for his tenure at The Montagu Arms in Beaulieu, where he earned and retained a Michelin star for eight years while overseeing the hotel’s entire food operation. Earlier in his career, he was awarded his first Michelin Star as Head Chef at The Goose in Oxfordshire and has since worked as Executive Chef at the highly regarded Yarmouth restaurant, The Terrace.
Knownfor his refined yet approachable cooking style, Tomkinson brings a strong focus on seasonal produce and coastal flavours to The Jetty’s menus, celebrating the best of British ingredients with a particular emphasis on seafood. Signature dishes on the new menu include Hampshire Partridge ‘Schnitzel’ with cider apple purée and toasted hazelnuts, Honey-roasted Creedy Carver Duck Breast with caramelised orange and endive tart, Roasted Cornish Monkfish Tail with garlic and herb butter, and stone bass with smoked bacon, Tenderstem broccoli and red wine sauce, offering a clear expression of elevated, ingredient-led dining in a striking waterfront setting.
Jorge Gertrudes, General Manager at Harbour Hotel Southampton
Jorge Gertrudes brings nearly three decades of experience in luxury hospitality to his role as General Manager at Harbour Hotel Southampton. Jorge spent his formative years within the Hotel Du Vin group before joining the pre-opening team at Lime Wood. He then spent a number of years with The PIG Hotels, where he played a central role in the brand’s growth and national recognition during a transformative period for the group.
Gertrudes now leads Harbour Hotel Southampton with a focus on service excellence, team development and strengthening its reputation as a five-star waterfront destination.
Harbour Hotel Southampton is a five-star waterfront hotel located at Ocean Village Marina, offering 121 bedrooms and suites with panoramic views across the Solent, alongside a spa, a vibrant rooftop terrace and HarBAR on 6th. At the heart of the hotel is The Jetty Ocean Village, its signature restaurant overlooking the marina, known for contemporary British cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood, seasonal produce and relaxed waterside dining.
