He’s been teaching the next generation of chefs but now Craig Mather is heading back into the kitchen – still with one eye on helping up-and-coming chefs.

Michelin-trained chef Craig Mather is swapping the classroom for the kitchen as he heads from his post as chief lecturer at a Kent college to take over the Empire Room restaurant in the Royal Harbour Hotel, Ramsgate.

He’ll take on running the 30-cover restaurant at the beginning of July in a partnership with James Thomas, owner of the award-winning boutique hotel.

“I am delighted to be forming a partnership with Craig – his skills as a chef, his experience and local knowledge will help build the reputation of the Empire Room,” said James.

Prior to joining the East Kent College at Broadstairs in 2011, Craig, who trained for four years at the Michelin-starred Mallory Court in Leamington Spa, was head chef at Eddie Gilbert’s seafood restaurant in Ramsgate.

While he was there, Eddie Gilbert’s won a string of accolades, including two Taste of Kent Awards.

Craig’s signature dish of soft boiled duck egg with crispy smoked eel soldiers was also named Starter of the Year by food critic Jay Rayner.

He will be rustling up the dish again when he returns to the kitchen at the Empire Room.

Looking back on his most recent post, Craig said: “It’s been brilliant to see the students’ progress [at East Kent College] and to support their development to succeed in this fabulous but hard-working industry.”

He himself graduated from the college when it was Thanet College, joining other star names including Gary Rhodes and Richard Phillips.

Despite his new appointment, Crag aims to maintain links with the college, offering work placements and apprenticeships as well as running cookery courses for the public.

“This partnership with James offers an exciting opportunity to bring a regularly changing menu, focusing on the best of seasonal Kentish ingredients, in a relaxed and unique restaurant environment,” he said.

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THE DETAILS

Lunch at the Empire Room with the set menu costs £12 for two courses and £15 for three.
The Sunday lunch menu is £19 for two courses and £25 for three. The restaurant is closed on Sunday evenings. For details visit theempireroom.co.uk or call 01843 582511.