Blog, Newsletters & Recent Press

December 2011

Thursday 22nd December

We have had such an amazing year and recieved so much support for this we thank you all!

One thing we have not been included in and would love to be is the good food guide, im not even sure they know we exist! This is something only the public can make them aware of if you have enjoyed yourself with us it'd be great if you could show your support by taking some time to write to them the link is below,

Many thanks and have a great Christmas and New year! See you soon http://www.thegoodfoodguide.co.uk/feedback

Monday 5th December

Pleased to announce we have been selected as one of three Winners in the Taste of South West Award category, for the prestigious South West Tourism Excellence Awards. The official tourism awards for the region, we were shortlisted and visited by a Mystery Guest, scoring extremely well in all criteria.

With 45 Winners announced in total, chosen from 350 entries, three Winners have been announced in each category and 'the jetty' sits alongside two highly acclaimed and established South West restaurants – the Two Michelin Star restaurant at Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon and The Bath Priory Hotel Restaurant, Bath; both headed up by chef Michael Caines MBE.

“We are delighted to have been chosen as a winner in this category, the fact that we have been selected alongside two such highly respected and recognised restaurants is a clear testament to our fantastic team, demonstrating just how far we have come in such a short amount of time. By using local produce and celebrating our fantastic region, we aim to continue contributing to the tourism of the South West.” Alex Aitken

All will have to wait until 6th February to learn whether we have won Gold, Silver or Bronze at the Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Independent and TV Travel Writer Simon Calder at Torquay’s Riviera Centre. Good Luck Team!!

November 2011

Wednesday 30th November

'the catch' issue 4 is now available to download! If you have trouble viewing please give us a call and we can email one to you!

> Download 'the catch'

August 2011

Wednesday 31st August

The Sky’s the Limit for our Charlie

Restaurant Manager, Charlie, celebrated his Mother’s (Roberta) Birthday this month in unique style...by jumping out of a plane! Taking part in a family skydive over the historic site of Stonehenge in Dorset, Charlie was raising money for a local charity that’s close to their hearts – the Cicely Foundation www.cicelyfoundation.com , which exists for deprived, vulnerable and needy children in both the United Kingdom and throughout the world, to help overcome some of their difficulties.

Charlie said: “My family and I believe in giving the best possible start to children lives and the Ciceley foundation goes a great deal to help some of those as not as fortunate as ourselves.”

Jumping out of a plane from 10,000 feet high, Charlie and his family all succeeded and have so raised £400 – but are still hoping to raise more, if you would like to show your support, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Charles-Williamson .

Well done Charlie!

July 2011

Friday 15th July

My wife and I took the grandchildren, Alex and Oscar, crabbing yesterday – we all had great fun, as we filled the bucket and raced the crabs to the water’s edge on release. It’s such a good activity for children, educational and exciting – round up the family and head down to Mudeford Quay, the joy on the children’s faces the first time they catch a "BIG" one is contagious! To get you started, see below for my top ten tips on crabbing with children:

1)Bait - if there are mussels on the beach you can smash these to use as bait. Crabs like bait such as bacon, chicken, fish and the like. You don’t need the good bits – best bait is smoked bacon, fish heads, and the very best is sand eels.
2) Weight - you have to get your line to the very bottom, close to rocks so use a good heavy weight.
3) Be patient - wait a little, then slowly bring up the line. Bring the line up too quick and the crabs will let go and drop off.
4) Bring a net on a long pole - you can then use the net to go under your bait when you pull it out of the water and catch the crabs if they let go.
5) If you want to keep your crabs before release fill your bucket with sea-water, add a couple of pebbles and seaweed so they are in a nice place and not scared.
6) Handling crabs - handle your crabs as little as possible and beware of those sharp pincers, they really can give a nasty nip! You can hold the crab by the top of the shell just behind the pincers.
7) Young children do get carried away and often forget to hold on to buckets and lines, so tie a piece of string to the lines and bucket and fix to something.
8) Releasing the crabs is great fun and best done by the water’s edge, each choose a crab and see who wins, as they scurry sideways to the water.
9) Throw any leftover bait away and wash your bait bags or they get very very smelly!
10) BE CAREFUL, ANY ACTIVETY WITH LITTLE CHILDREN AND GROWN-UPS BY THE WATER CAN BE DANGEROUS

 

Wednesday 13th July

Had a fantastic fishing trip with local skipper, Jamie Russell, and the Daily Echo’s Taste Editor, Nicky Findley, this week. Setting sail in ‘Offshore Rebel’ from Mudeford Quay, Jamie took us out across the Christchurch ledge to catch some mackerel, and we caught plenty! He knew the local hotspots – as we reeled them in one after another, over 30 caught in total! We then headed back to the restaurant, where I prepared my own version of mackerel on toast, with a tasty tomato compote, check out my recipe in Monday’s Daily Echo…it doesn’t get much fresher than that! I even made a sushi sampler with the raw mackerel – all you need is lime and a pinch of salt, yum!

 

 

Monday 11th July

This weekend I was at the Dorset Seafood festival down in Weymouth, the weather, the food, the crowd were all fantastic. I was on Stage 2 at 2:30pm on Saturday preparing one of 'the jetty's' favourite dishes, Mudeford Paella. My grandson, Alex was there giving a helping hand as well as charming the audience. If you didn't have a chance to watch the demonstration, you can download the recipe here...but don't tell too many people!

> Download the Mudeford Paella Recipe

Monday 4th July

We have just had Olly Smith and the Saturday Kitchen crew in for lunch, they are in the Christchurch area sourcing some great wines for this weekends Saturday Kitchen. Be sure to watch it on Saturday 9th July at 10am on BBC1. 

Friday 1st July

I am pleased to announce that the third issue of 'the catch' (our quarterly newsletter) is now out, if you can't wait to get your hands on a copy you can download it here, or pop in to 'the jetty' when you're passing or stopping in for a bite to eat and pick up your very own copy.

> Download issue 3 of 'the catch'

June 2011

Thursday 16th June

Vote for us! 

We all love food - and live in an area where some of the country's finest food is produced. So lets celebrate it!

The fourth annual Taste of Dorset Awards takes place this year, with 18 categories, this is your chance to nominate your favourite pubs and restaurants and your local food heroes, so others will discover more great restaurants and pubs, farm shops and independent food shops and specialist food and drink producers.

We would love you to vote for 'the jetty' for the "Best Restaurant" Award in the Taste of Dorset 2011 Awards. All you need to do is click here and submit the voting form.

May 2011

Tuesday 10th May

Last Night (9th May) saw the return of the glamorous Best of the Best awards at the Regent Centre and the after party at The Kings Hotel, we are over the moon to announce that we won Best Seafood Business Award for 2011.

Restaurants, cafes, tearooms and pubs were nominated by members of the public who voted on paper or online at the Food Festival website. The three or four establishments receiving the most public votes were then visited by an independent panel of judges who made the final decision on the winners.

The awards, sponsored by Coastline Food Service, started at The Regent Centre where an Oscar-style awards ceremony was held, hosted by Steve Power from Wave 105 FM and with the Festival’s patron, Lesley Waters, presenting the awards.

So, on Monday (16th May) I am treating the staff to a celebratory fishing trip, followed by wine tasting and Steak and Chips! I think you will all agree we deserve the day off!

Monday 9th May

Last Sunday at the Christchurch Food Festival, Lesley Waters and I fought it out to be the winner of the “cookafun!”

We were both given the same ingredients and an hour to cook up a storm.

In the hour I cooked - Asparagus pastry pillows with soft poached egg with butter sauce, Raspberry Millefeuile lobster with asparagus and lobster sauce, Warm pastry pillow with nectarines and raspberries, Parma ham cannelloni filled with cream cheese and crayfish tails with a nectarine salad, Lobster omelette with a lobster sauce.

It was a very close competition but I think I just stole the show with my Lobster Omelette with Lobster Sauce that I pinched from Lesley!>

Friday 6th May

We have just had a fabulous Food Festival Ladies (& Gents) Luncheon at 'the jetty'! The favourite dish was the Sopley Farm asparagus with soft poached egg and Hollandaise Sauce, so I thought i would provide you with the recipe.....

Asparagus Cooking;
The secret of cooking asparagus is PLENTY of boiling salted water. The adding of salt not only seasons the asparagus but raises the temperature of the water. Also if preparing for a dinner party it’s a good idea to pre cook so have plenty of iced water to arrest the cooking and maintain great colour.

Soft Poached Eggs:
The secret to a good egg is using the freshest eggs and you can add a little white wine vinegar to help co-agulate the white. Again plenty of water and a gentle simmer/rolling boil. When just cooked remove and again you can arrest the cooking to serve later by cooling in iced water

For the Hollandaise;
4 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 small shallot
6 peppercorns
3 egg yolks
200g/6oz butter
lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste

Put white wine vinegar, peppercorns and shallot in small pan and reduce by three quarters, Strain onto the egg yolks in a heat proof bowl and whisk.
Melt the butter, put the heatproof bowl over a bain marie to lightly heat the eggs and slowly pour on the butter, little by little whisking all the time. As the eggs cook and the butter is incorporated you will have hollandaise. Check seasoning and add to taste.

April 2011

Monday 11th April

Oh dear nearly a whole month since i last updated my blog...It has been a busy month for everyone down at 'the jetty', with the weather getting warmer, we have opened our Terrace dining area - Last Friday it was buzzing with people celebrating the beginning of better weather to come!

I have also been busy, as I have taken on the job of over seeing the kitchen at Jacks Restaurant at The Kings Hotel in Christchurch...so look out for some great changes there!

This week I am compering the Milford on sea Food Week's BIG COOK OFF! So I hope to see some friendly faces there! I am also starting work on the third issue of 'the catch', our newsletter, which has some great news stories and features our exciting Billecart-Salmon Champagne Evening on 20th May!

Until next time.... Alex

March 2011

Friday 11th March

Our ladies (and gents) had a fantastic time at our Ladies Luncheon today! I demonstrated how to prepare Potted Shrimps, Duck Confit and how to construct the Cod with simple herb crust and butter sauce - absolutely delicious! Was fantastic to see some Gentlemen attend too! My Next Ladies (and Gents) Luncheon is on Friday 1st April! Here are a few photos from the day...

February 2011

Tuesday 15th February

I am pleased to announce that on Wednesday 13th April 2011 2:30 to 4:30pm, I will be the compere for Milford on Sea Food Week - BIG Cook Off!

The cooking competition will be between 'The Big Boys' (Chefs from Chewton Glen & The Jetty) versus 'The Local Boys' (Chefs from Verveine & Westover Hall). The teams will demonstrate and cook a complete four-course menu, using local ingredients, and items from the shops in the village - and you then choose the winners.

Come along and support our team - and enjoy a lot of fun along the way! Tickets are £15 | Available from Online Ticket Office at www.milfordonsea.org

Tuesday 8th February

We have had a fantastic day down at 'the jetty', the sun has been shining, the tide was up and we had our freshly landed at 5am Mackerel on the menu! We have fresh Mackerel on the menu everyday this week, in support of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Fish Fight. www.fishfight.net

But to top things off we are now the Number 1 Restaurant in Christchurch on Trip Advisor! Congratulations to 'the jetty' team and a big thank you to everyone for taking the time to review us...keep up the good work!

January 2011

Friday 14th January

We are joining the fight!

Monday 10th January

We are now on TripAdvisor.....so please tell us what you think!

Wednesday 5th January
Happy New Year! We hope you had a fantastic Christmas we certainly did and also may have slightly enjoyed ourselves too much! So for January and February we have come up with a fantastic idea....Enjoy half sized dishes at half the price! For a lighter portion if you have over indulged over Christmas or if you want to try a few dishes. Available from our A la Carte Menu for lunch or dinner Monday to Friday. So pop in for a light lunch or try a variety of our dishes for dinner and wish us a Happy New Year! We look forward to seeing you soon!

December 2010

Monday 20th December

Brrrr.....the snow covered jetty! But not to worry I have the josper oven fired up ready to warm our diners with some great food!  

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, hopefully I will see some of you over the festive period, if you still haven't got plans we still have some availability on most days! Take a look at our opening hours and if you're free pop down for a drink and say hello! Merry Christmas!!    Alex Aitken

  

 

Tuesday 14th December

We have just received a fantastic email from one of our diners, we are so pleased with it so it is going on the blog!

"Hello to all the staff and chef at The Jetty. My family and I had our first experience of eating at The Jetty on Saturday for lunch. We would like to pass on our thanks to all concerned in this exquisite experience. We have between us all eaten all over the place and in lots of countries but...........we were all agreed that the meals we collectively had on Saturday were the best we have had in a very, very long time. The atmosphere was great, the view incredible and the service brill. We would recommend your restaurant to all. Well done and a big thank you from us all. Marion Hirst and family"

Thursday 9th December

If you are not yet a follower of our Twitter page you won't have heard about our new mascot at 'the jetty'! Harry the Hedgehog was found by my Grandson, Alex (4), injured in the middle of the road. We have been nursing him and he has finally gone into hibernation, safe and cosy in his wine box in my stables. Follow us on Twitter!

 

November 2010

Monday 29th November

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week I was at Highcliffe School presenting Talisker Broadhurst (14) from Brockenhurst with her prize after winning a round of The Rotary Young Chef Competition. I was so impressed by the quality of the cooking and the enthusiasm the students possessed. I invited the contestants and their teachers to 'the jetty' for lunch and gave them a tour of the kitchens. The runner-up was Sam Herbert (14). Also in the competition were Paige Starks, Connor Mason, Joshua Mann, Tom Murphy and Sarah Martin. The finals of the competition will be held in early 2011. Good luck to all the finalists.

Wednesday 24th November

Wow! Fantastic review from the "Ladies Who Lunch in Hampshire" they scored us 23/25 ... read their review here: http://www.ladieswholunch-in-hampshire.co.uk/index.php/directory/170-other-counties/153-dorset-mudeford-the-jetty-2325.html

Good news..... we are also offering a free glass of wine for LWL (Ladies Who Lunch) Card Holders plus up to 3 guests when everyone has a lunch of at least two courses on every day, all day!

 

 

Thursday 18th November

Oh Oh we have been vetted by "Ladies Who Lunch in Hampshire” they came for a lunchtime meal at 'the jetty' and will be posting their review soon on their web site www.ladieswholunch-in-hampshire.co.uk/  lets hope we get a good review! 

Monday 15th November

Yesterday's Sunday diners witnessed the most breathtaking sunset over the Mudeford Estuary, someone managed to capture it on their iphone.  We are now open all day on Sunday (12 noon to 8pm) serving a special Sunday menu, featuring the Beef Wellington with traditional garnish!

 

 

 

 

Thursday 11th November

My perfect Sunday, a late lazy breakfast, a walk in the woods or along Hengistbury Head. Then a late lunch at 'the jetty' with the Sunday papers and a great bottle of red! We are now open all day on Sunday with a mouth-watering Sunday menu for you to enjoy.

 

Monday 8th November

Last Friday we had a fabulous turn out for our monthly Ladies Luncheon, we had two presentations! The next ladies luncheon is on the 3rd December just in time to demonstrate how to make food presents in time for Christmas. Take a look at the menu.

 

 

 

 

Monday 1st November

With the mornings getting lighter I have been out in the woods picking mushrooms this morning!  There are an abundance of 'wood hedgehogs'!

Also take a look at these brown chanterelles, which I am simply going to saute with cream, parmesan and rocket and serve on toast.

 

 

 

October 2010

Monday 25th October

What a fantastic morning, albeit a little chilly.  I tried to capture the view on my Blackberry.  The autumn sunshine is beaming, it's the perfect setting for my Mudeford crab on toast followed by my famous cheese souffle only £6.50 each.

  

Friday 22nd October
Listen to'Dave's Morning Bit' (7am - 11am) on Fire Radio (107.6 FM) every morning next week, listen carefully to the clips of me preparing some of my dishes for a chance to win a meal for two every morning!

 

Wednesday 20th October

Fantastic news... I have just set up our new Twitter account!  Follow us at: www.twitter.com/alexatthejetty

 

Take a look at this amazing cep we picked this morning in Rans Wood, this superb specimen weighed nearly a kilo! At market price thats £20 or for those who eat at 'the jetty', a great risotto!

 

 

The most difficult mushroom to spot, the French call it "trompette de mort- the trumpet of death", I prefer the English "Horn Of Plenty" it grows under beech trees and holly prolific when you find them this time of year taken on my blackberry this morning.

Tuesday 19th October

This morning I have been out collecting wild New Forest mushrooms to be used in our amazing wild mushroom risotto and the breast of chicken with wild mushrooms on the local produce menu at £12.50.  The mushrooms have fascinating names: “Wood hedgehogs” “horn of plenty” and “brown chanterelles”.

Monday 18th October

Today is the first Monday we have opened...I hope the word has got out that we are now open seven days a week!  Come join us for lunch 12 noon to 2.30pm or dinner 6.30pm to 10pm.

Friday 15th October

Just a quick note from myself, AJ!  I want to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome during my first few days at 'the jetty', if you haven't had a chance to say hello, why not pop in for a drink?

Tuesday 12th October

It’s now just a few weeks since i landed at ‘the jetty’ and i am delighted to welcome my son, Alex Aitken Junior (AJ we like to call him), on board.  AJ joins the team as general manager working with Charlie and myself to bring you the best local neighbourhood restaurant.

Sunday 10th October

X factor and Strictly season has started, why don't you Sky Plus them instead and come down to 'the jetty' this evening!  Take a look at our menus to get a taster of what you could be enjoying!

September 2010

Monday 27th September 

During this month, as well as the à la carte menu, I have put together a seasonal 'local produce' menu  with one of my favourites, Mudeford crab on toast, unfortunately not caught by myself!

Thursday 16th September

I have been kindly informed that it is 100 days until Christmas Eve, it doesn't seem possible with all the good weather we have been having recently!  I have put together a seasonal menu for you all to enjoy in the lead up to Christmas, we also have set menu's for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the New Year celebrations!  Take a look at our Christmas pagefor more information or call me on 01202 400950.

August 2010

Tuesday 10th August

It is a real honour to be asked to introduce the first jetty blog...
On my first day at 'the jetty', the very first people I wanted to meet were the local fishermen.  I too started as a fisherman in scotland, and so i have an affinity with their life and work; in fact, Pete Dadds (skipper of the déjà vu) and I found that we already shared many local friends.  I also saw people out at low tide collecting cockles and clams – another source that I’d like to take advantage of, so watch this space.

Happy eating – I look forward to cooking for you.

Alex Aitken.

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