Friends hope to put a hotel “back on the map” by hosting a monthly food night in the disused restaurant with different guest chefs.

Partners Elena and Monish Shome, with pal Claire Charlton, have launched GH Test Kitchen at the Gordon House Hotel in Rochester High Street.

They plan to host a different guest chef every month in the hotel’s disused restaurant.

It is set to provide a “unique dining experience” and will have a changing menu that uses both seasonal and local produce.

Claire, 38, said: “I think the hospitality industry, especially in the last couple of years, has really suffered.

“For us, it's about working with local produce as much as possible and reducing food waste. Then we can manage the demand.

“It's a great way for customers to be able to try something new and chefs to try something that maybe they wouldn't be able to do on their own menu.”

Elena added: “I feel like the hotel has been a part of the community for so long, it would be nice to put it back on the map.

“We want to make it as lively as the high street is.”

The 35-year-old has been married to Monish for 18 months.

They first met while bartending at the Tap 'n' Tin in Chatham during their early twenties.

Monish and Claire have been friends since they were pupils at Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School in Maidstone Road.

Monish’s parents, David and Mei, have run the 17th-century hotel for the last 25 years.

They previously owned the Singapora Lounge restaurant, which is now known as Bodega 51 and is run by their daughter Kayea.

“I grew up in the hospitality industry,” the 38-year-old explained. “The hotel has had some recent renovation works.

“It's a Grade II-listed building, so there's not much we can change.

“But it’s really important for us to raise awareness and show the public how beautiful the building is.”

In June, the hotel and its neighbouring fish and chip shop were put on the market for £1.9 million.

Monish says his parents did this to see if there was any interest in it at the time.

The four-storey site has 15 bedrooms, as well as a restaurant, bar, reception and 25 parking spaces.

Currently, the hotel is just being used as a bed and breakfast, despite having the potential to host weddings and parties.

The group aim to bring the venue back to life with the introduction of a monthly event for food lovers.

Over the past six weeks, they have been busy booking guest chefs from across Kent and beyond.

Each cook will have complete free rein to create their menu.

Claire said: “It could be a budding chef who feels like his creativity is stifled and wants to be able to showcase a menu, but wouldn't necessarily have the funds to open up his own restaurant.

“It could be somebody in between restaurants, or even a chef that just wants to take a holiday and come to do something different.

“It will be ticketed so we know exactly who to cater for and make it into an event for people to look forward to.”

The first session will be held for family and friends on Saturday, April 20.

They have partnered with chef Damon Dalmedo, who runs the Barn Events Company in Sittingbourne with his wife Sarah.

Spiced potted crab, duck confit and baked pavlova are just some of the items on offer.

The trio are also talking with colleges in the area to try and offer hospitality courses or work experience for young adults.

GH Test Kitchen is expected to officially open at the end of May.