With its ever-changing and fresh fare, The Jetty sails far beyond its competition when it comes to quality.

The Jetty restaurant in Mudeford is a venue like no other.

At the helm is chef patron and restaurateur Alex Aitken, who joined the Harbour Hotels Group to head up its Jetty restaurant concept back in 2010.

With the flagship Jetty restaurant in Mudeford, Dorset, having established itself as the country’s number one seafood restaurant (recently awarded the coveted title of the ‘UK’s best seafood restaurant’) The Jetty concept now stretches from Devon to Sussex, landing in Southampton this year.

A trawler man turned award-winning chef, Harbour Hotels’ chef patron Alex Aitken has an incomparable passion and respect for seafood; keeping things simple, with dishes that allow the flavour to shine through.

Having spent twenty five years cooking within the New Forest, including many years running his own Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Poussin in Brockenhurst, opened in 1983, Alex championed simple, seasonal and local produce from the very beginning.

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. Alex has received multiple awards and accolades to support this philosophy.

One such award is the prestigious Seafood Restaurant of the Year 2016. This is the second year of the competition, organised by Seafish UK and The Caterer, which was launched to highlight great use of seafood and businesses’ knowledge.

AJ Aitken, Food and Beverage Director for Harbour Hotels said: “This award symbolises everything we stand for at the Jetty and Harbour hotels. Sustainability is at the top of our agenda. It’s especially timely as we expand the Jetty brand across four new locations where we can showcase our fresh, seasonal and local ethos.”

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Alex strives to cook food that his customers love and want to eat - always looking for the very best seasonal, sustainable produce, spanning from Mudeford, Brighton, Newhaven to Brixham.

Alex said: “We are very proud to have won Seafood Restaurant of the Year. We train our staff hard so every team member has excellent knowledge and respect for seafood.

The Jetty is located in a prime spot to take full advantage of the beautiful local catch of the day. Alex creates an ever changing seasonal menu utilising sustainably caught seafood from along the south, including pot caught Mudeford crab - which Alex serves with fresh pickled pear.

“I like to go to market to write a menu and get inspiration. The menu also includes brilliant prime meats including Wagyu beef burgers and Rib eye steak, plus seasonal specialities such as fresh fennel, asparagus, chilli, and shredded wild garlic from the New Forest.”

Alex will be at this year’s Christchurch Food & Wine Festival on Saturday, May 6, alongside Lesley Warters.

“Ever since I came to Christchurch six years ago I’ve participated in the demonstration tent. It's great to participate and create lots of banter with the crowd and fellow chefs.

“We will also be hosting a garden party on the green at The Kings Arms Hotel on Sunday for families - very kids orientated with a bouncy castle, swing band, refreshments, with space to run around away from the bustle of the high street.”

Alex will also be in attendance at the upcoming Highcliffe Revival Food Festival, May 20-21. Plus, Taste of the South in Poole Park, in association with European maritime, May 19-21; Dorset Seafood Festival July 8-9; and Milford on Sea bi-annual food festival, 2018.

Alex, a self-proclaimed showman, hosts regular lunch clubs and popular special wine paring evenings at The Jetty.

•             For bookings; www.thejetty.co.uk / 01202 400950