Ross Stovold to leave Alimentum for Isle of Eriska

Ross Stovold, currently head chef at Michelin-starred Alimentum in Cambridge, is to join the Isle of Eriska hotel off the west coast of Scotland following the departure of Simon McKenzie.

McKenzie has returned to Guernsey to open a deli restaurant concept on the island, scheduled to open in August.

Meanwhile, Stovold will join Eriska on the 19 July. He has worked alongside Mark Poynton at Alimentum and Sat Bains at Restaurant Sat Bains, and will bring a training and development ethos to the kitchen.

In the meantime the kitchen is being run by Nigel Godwin, formerly executive head chef at Hanbury Manor in Hertfordshire.

Isle of Eriska owner Beppo Buchanan-Smith said: "Ross is excited about entering Scotland's larder and we are already working to build and strengthen supplier links to insure that we offer what is best about Scotland.

"Part of his concept is to employ four apprentices in his team alongside a strong top level, leaving him time to train and work with the juniors in an endeavour to grow our own chefs of the future."

In addition, Buchanan-Smith said there were plans to employ a full time trainer at the hotel to further team development throughout the business.

He added: "We employ under 50 staff so this will be a considerable investment but the concept is to guarantee all our team one day a month of training which is not directly linked to daily business but will help enhance the business in the long run."

McKenzie said that he was excited about the new venture, which would give him a chance to be closer to his family.

"For me what were about to do is really exciting and I'm working with an investor who has big plans," he said. "I think my food style with fit the deli brasserie style well, but there will be a chance for some more serious cooking too."

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