It’s National Apprenticeship Week (Feb 7-13) and we are proud to showcase our apprentice Jack Breach.
Jack,17, joined the kitchen team as a Kitchen Porter and his talent and enthusiasm were soon spotted.
To make the most of his potential, he was placed on the apprenticeship programme at Havant and South Downs College and he hasn’t looked back since.
“I enjoy doing all different styles of cooking – I’m doing my Level 2 and loving it,” he said.
To mark National Apprenticeship Week, Jack’s starter featuring scallops and cauliflower prepared three different ways, will be highlighted on the restaurant menu – and we hope diners will opt to sample it.
“I hope they find that it tastes good – it looks fresh on the plate and tastes fresh too,” said Jack.
General Manager Catherine Austen said: “ We are really proud of the progress Jack has made.
“Apprentices are the future talent of any business and we believe it’s important to nurture them so they can be the chefs of tomorrow.”
Bar and restaurant team members had a chance to kick back and enjoy cocktails and delicious food at the Queens Hotel in Southsea when the tables were turned for just one day.
With so many new staff members joining the hotel in recent times, training manager Jodie Chamberlain, was keen to ensure everyone working in the bar and restaurant was fully versed in the details of good table service.
“We decided to make our training session fun and interactive by having the managers serve our bar and restaurant team members.
“It was an opportunity for them to see how our classically trained managers take food orders, serve dishes and clear tables.
“They also had the chance to see things from the customer’s point of view – and we hope there will be important lessons learned by everyone,” she said.
The Queens Hotel has been undergoing a major transformation, restoring the building to her former glory. Since the current owners took over in 2017, a multi-million pound restoration and redevelopment project has been undertaken allowing her Edwardian elegance to shine once more.
General Manager, Catherine Austen, explained that having worked so hard on the building project, attention was now turning to the all important service that is provided for guests and visitors.
“We have always been known for our friendly team members and we are now ensuring they have the right training to be able to deliver great service.
“Our management team brings a wealth of experience to the hotel and they are helping us to deliver a wonderful training package for our team,” she said.
Bartender Omaid Sayed, said: “ I really enjoyed the training because it was a completely immersive experience rather than being lectured to, we got to be the customer.
“We learned everything from how to talk to customers and ask the right questions and the importance of knowing all about allergens.
“I only joined the team a month ago and I had limited knowledge but now I feel more confident to be out on the floor,” he said.
Watch the video HERE.
Anyone staying at the Queens Hotel, can’t help but notice the wonderful era defining images taken by the photographer known as ‘Mr Sixties’.
The black and white photos capture the glamour and full on rock n roll lifestyle of the swinging sixties and they are the work of celebrated photographer, Philip Townsend.
Credited with taking the first professional photos of the Rolling Stones, he also photographed the likes of Hollywood stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton along with aristocracy and scenes of Carnaby Street – the epicentre of cool in the sixties.
A close friendship with the Rolling Stones first producer Andrew Loog Oldham, allowed Philip to gain access to the group. He photographed the band around Chelsea and in one memorable shot, got them to wear check jackets – the opposite of their bad boy image.
Another memorable shoot involved the meeting of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi with the Beatles in 1967. He captured candid shots of the band relaxing including Paul McCartney with his girlfriend Jane Asher.
It was still early in their career and the Beatles were accessible, allowing Philip to record elements of their life away from the stage.
A colourful character, Philip was once detained by notorious gangsters, the Kray twins Ronnie and Reggie, until his mother paid her gambling debt. He survived the experience and even went on to photograph the infamous brothers.
Philip died in 2016 at the age of 75. He worked as a photographer from 1960 to 1969 and his work is held at the V&A and the National Portrait Gallery.
With so much talk about the hospitality industry struggling to fill thousands of jobs, we are delighted to welcome apprentice chefs, Ketan Dixon-Whiteaway and Jack Breach to our kitchen.
The youngsters are being supported on their career path thanks to a new apprenticeship programme offered at the Queens Hotel.
General Manager, Catherine Austen explained: “We are keen to promote the career opportunities that are available in hospitality. We want to develop the skills of our talented team.
“By offering an apprenticeship programme, we can develop the talent of the future. We can also help to retain team members who are gaining work experience at the same time as learning.”
Ketan,21, explained he has been working in local restaurants for a number of years. However, being supported to do his Level 3 qualification (the equivalent to an A Level) as part of a day-release at HSDC South Downs College means he can take his cooking skills to the next level.
“I love cooking and this will give me a chance to gain even more understanding as well as new skills.
“It would be great to be able to progress at the Queens and do more qualifications. Ultimately, I would love to run my own restaurant,” he said.
Jack,17, joined the kitchen team as a Kitchen Porter. Executive Chef, Simon Hartnett, soon spotted his potential and let him know about the apprenticeship programme.
“I enjoy doing different styles of cooking. I’m doing my Level 2 and loving it,” he said.
Simon said: “The great thing about working in a kitchen is that you can literally start as the pot washer and go all the way to the top. You just need a bit of determination.
“By offering the apprenticeship programme, we are helping people to progress in their career and providing the right structure for them to thrive.”
The Queens Hotel is developing more apprenticeship opportunities. Please take a look at our social media for more details.
Southsea DJ Kim Little is looking forward to spinning some vinyl in the sunshine at the Queens Hotel on Saturday.
He’s been sharing his vinyl mix of R&B, soul and sixties music for the past five years or so at the hotel under the mantle of New Breed Boogaloo and Kim can’t wait to get back to the decks once more.
“When the sun is shining and you’ve got the right mix of people, there’s nothing finer,” said Kim.
Come and relax with friends from 12 to 7pm – booking is recommended.
To book your table, please click here.
It was such a joy to welcome national treasure Christopher Biggins to the Queens Hotel. He stayed with us ahead of the four-day naming ceremony for Viking Cruises’ latest ship, Venus, departing from Portsmouth International Port.
With more cruise ships choosing to operate from Portsmouth, the Queens Hotel is keen to provide the perfect place to stay the night before the voyage begins.
And the former King of the Jungle was happy to endorse the Queens Hotel as a great place to stay.
He told us: “It’s such a beautiful hotel. It’s great to be able to stay the night before we embark so we don’t have to set off early and worry about getting stuck in traffic.
“We love to go on cruises. It makes it so much more relaxed and enjoyable if you can stay in a hotel like the Queens before you depart.”
We wish him Bon Voyage and look forward to welcoming him and husband Neil once again to the Queens Hotel soon.
Introducing 1865..
A brand new, relaxed fine dining restaurant in the heart of Southsea at the Queens Hotel, opening Thursday, 20th May.
To try our modern cuisine prepared for you by our highly specialised team of chefs, book your table HERE.
More information to follow..
With government restrictions forcing the temporary closure of Southsea’s finest hotel, we can finally reveal what has been going on behind closed doors.
The latest part in the multi-million pound revamp project at the Queens Hotel is underway and when guests and visitors step back into the hotel, they will be in for a pleasant surprise.
A team of highly skilled craftsmen have transformed the bar and restaurant areas. Both rooms were stripped right back to their original bones and re-layered with ornate plasterwork, heritage parquet flooring and infused with rare sea blue marbles for the bar top.
Managing Director, Farid Yeganeh, explained: “We decided to make the most of the closure and put the time to good use. Until now we have carried out the work on the hotel while it has still been open but the enforced closure meant so much more could be achieved without disturbing anyone.”
The stylish new look for the restaurant and bar has happened with the help of London design studio, Studio Kinford.
Having designed for such hotels as The Corinthia, The Connaught and London’t top private members’ lounge, the team focused on creating a ‘home away from home’ experience for guests using a balance of traditional bespoke furniture and mid-century vintage items, to harmonise and compliment the hotel’s Edwardian character.
“They have helped us to create a signature look for the hotel that will set us apart and give us a new identity.
“Their attention to detail is phenomenal and they have helped us to create spaces where diners will feel safe and comfortable coming to eat with us.
“The same team created our conference and meeting room suite on the lower floor and you can see the same vibe continue into the restaurant and bar,” he said.
The new scheme will see more dining in the bar area as well as seating for 64 guests in the restaurant.
“While the doors have been shut we have also been working on the main stairwell and landings to ensure they look their best and are integrated into the overall decorative scheme,” added Farid.
Since the new management team took over in 2017, they have overseen a transformation that has breathed new life and elegance into the lobby, while completely overhauling and redesigning two floors of bedrooms many of which have stunning views over the Solent.
“While the pandemic has brought many challenges, we have used the time wisely to invest in the future of our hotel.
“This is the latest chapter in her transformation and we are looking forward to welcoming back customers old and new.
“The re-design is just the start and we will be placing even greater emphasis on providing great service to our guests and an enticing menu,” said Farid.