He's the celebrated chef who has launched some of Hampshire's most successful eateries and boasts three Michelin Stars. 

Alex Aitken, chef patron at The Jetty at Ocean Village, talks taking on The Hairy Bikers on TV and his famous cheese souffle in our meet the chef column. 

What first inspired you to become a chef?

"I'd just been made redundant as a maitre d' when my wife Caroline and I ate at Le Gavroche in London. The food was so amazing we decided to buy our own restaurant! I first went into that kitchen on my 25th birthday. It was mad, especially as Caroline was eight and a half months pregnant!"

(Image: The Jetty)

Tell us a bit about your career so far…?

"My first ever catering job was washing up in Romsey aged 13 or 14. At 15, I went to Scotland for the summer and joined a fishing trawler, returning after my final year at school. It was an amazing experience which has opened many a door with our local fishermen. I returned to Romsey and started my career as a waiter in  various restaurants and hotels, culminating in several years at Le Chanteclerc. We ran Le Poussin (in Brockenhurst) independently from '83 until '99, achieving accolades including a Michelin Star in '94. We purchased Parkhill Hotel just outside Lyndhurst, renamed the business Le Poussin at Parkhill and gained a Michelin Star in our first year. Whilst Parkhill was closed to be rebuilt, we moved our restaurant to another hotel, Whitley Ridge and within a year I was awarded a third Michelin Star. In '99, Parkhill re-opened as Lime Wood, and Le Poussin at Whitley Ridge became the first Pig Hotel. I left and  started the first Jetty Restaurant in Mudeford. 14 years on and The Jetty in Ocean Village is one of four within Harbour Hotels." 

What is your proudest career moment?

"Being awarded a Michelin Star, not once but three times, although The Jetty being awarded the UK Seafood Restaurant of The Year runs a close second."

(Image: The Jetty)

What is your signature dish?

"Customers say it's ‘Alex’s Twice Baked Cheese Souffle’ and to be honest it's always on every menu!"

Where is your favourite place to eat in Hampshire?

"Les Mirabelles in Landford."

What do you like to drink with dinner?

"I'm a big Chardonnay fan."

 What is your culinary guilty pleasure?

"Trifle from Waitrose or M&S."

 Which key ingredient is always in your fridge?

"I love a chunk of cheese."

(Image: The Jetty)

What is your favourite Hampshire ingredient?

"The New Forest produces superb wild venison which has helped me win awards, from beating The Hairy Bikers on the TV with a venison dish to winning The Times Restaurant of The Year for venison road kill!"

Which chef do you most admire?

"The Roux family."

(Image: The Jetty)