Gordon Ramsay trainee takes charge of Poole restaurant's food

Josh Deacon will take on the new role at Rockwater’s various venues in Branksome, Hove and, later this year, in Sandbanks. 

With 12 years experience as a chef, Josh has been executive head chef Josh at The Stratford Hotel in east London and head chef of the Rail House Café in Westminster.  

He is a classically French-trained chef who has learnt from Gordon Ramsay at the Savoy Grill in the Savoy Hotel and his Maze restaurant.

Rockwater Branksome (Image: Newsquest)

Josh said: “I have a passion for championing local producers and believe in using the best ingredients to create delicious, seasonally driven menus.  

“Rockwater venues are set in the most spectacular locations, with the sea just a stone’s throw away from each, and this presents incredible opportunities for me and my kitchen teams to create a destination dining experience.” 

Josh will oversee culinary operations across all Rockwater venues and has launched a new spring menu. 

He leads the menu development and engineering across two sites at Branksome and Hove, currently supporting a 70-strong kitchen team in achieving its goal for “high standards of excellence, taste, presentation and guest satisfaction”. 

“An exciting part of my role includes supporting management to develop and bring to fruition the forthcoming Rockwater Sandbanks venue,” he added. 

“I’m looking to introduce a host of new dining concepts to Sandbanks, allowing guests to enjoy a variety of new and intriguing dining experiences.  

Gordon Ramsay (PA) (Image: PA)

"We’ll be offering standards and styles of dining to suit many preferences, which will allow customers to revisit the venue time and time again as they enjoy completely different experiences and culinary tastes. 

“’I'm sure that the combination of different dining styles and the gorgeous panoramic views of the water across Poole harbour and the Jurassic Coast will create a venue that is second to none in the area. 

“I’m excited for this new chapter in my career which brings me out of the city and to the south coast. 

“The business boasts an amazing amount of potential, and the sky is the limit for what we can do, we’ll constantly be striving for absolute excellence in all our venues. 

“I look forward to raising the standard of dining along the south coast, working closely in tandem with our suppliers and amazing team of chefs.” 

Luke Davis, chief executive of Rockwater, said: “It’s great to welcome Josh to the Rockwater family as group executive chef. 

“He joins us at an exciting time with the impending opening of our Sandbanks venue later this year. 

“His extensive experience will further enhance the dining offerings across our venues, and we look forward to the culinary journey ahead under his guidance.”