A CHEF says he is excited to join the team at a popular West Mersea restaurant returning to a brand where he had his "happiest years".

The White Hart Inn, in High Street, West Mersea, has recently announced that Colchester's Ed Campbell is now acting head chef.

First starting his career at the age of 16 at The Anchor in Nayland while training at Colchester Institute, he then went on to work for a luxurious award-winning restaurant group in London. 

Years later, after returning to Essex the more than capable chef worked for the White Hart Inn’s sister restaurant, Church Street Tavern between 2016 to 2018 and became a Sous chef.

Gazette: Leading the team - A photo of the restaurant's new Head Chef, Ed Campbell Leading the team - A photo of the restaurant's new Head Chef, Ed Campbell (Image: Oliver Suckling)

Gazette: Exterior - The White Hart Inn in West MerseaExterior - The White Hart Inn in West Mersea (Image: Oliver Suckling)

From there, the father of two took on his first head chef role at The Lion, in Earls Colne, and now he has returned to spearhead the team and bring his culinary expertise to the West Mersea restaurant.

Speaking about his return to work for Baker Hospitality, the company that owns The White Hart Inn and many other restaurants, Ed said he was excited for this new chapter.

He said: “My two or three years working for Baker Hospitality at Church Street Tavern, were my happiest years cooking and I’m really excited to be come back to the fold at the new White Hart Inn.

"I love the ethos behind all Baker Hospitality’s sites, to create good honest food with the best possible British produce, much of it from Essex and Suffolk.

“Our menus are driven by the seasons, and we let the ingredients shine through but like everything at Baker Hospitality, there is great attention to detail.

“A bonus is that I have lots of friends on Mersea Island so it’s fantastic to be here.”

The White Hart Inn reopened in June 2022 after originally closing in 2013.

Gazette: Interior - The main restaurant area of The White Hart Inn Interior - The main restaurant area of The White Hart Inn (Image: Oliver Suckling)

Gazette: Dish - A meal at the restaurant, WHI hake II, broccoli, anchovy, turnup, and gnocchi romaineDish - A meal at the restaurant, WHI hake II, broccoli, anchovy, turnup, and gnocchi romaine (Image: Oliver Suckling)

The relaunch and revamp that occurred last year came after publican Piers Baker announced a £1 million investment into the business

Piers is the owner of Baker Hospitality, which owns the Church Street Tavern in Colchester and The Sun Inn, in Dedham. 

The establishment was refurbished and boasts a restaurant, pub area, a cosy lounge, and six individually designed ensuite double bedrooms. 

Piers said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Ed to The White Hart Inn and back to Baker Hospitality.

"Ed is raring to start and build on the great platform our previous head chef Eliot has left.

"Our food will follow the similar ethos of simple, seasonal and local."