Drive eastwards from St Helier along the coast road, and in about three miles you get to Green Island, the most southerly point in Jersey, which has stunning views across a craggy low-tide seascape. Here you’ll find Green Island Restaurant, and its irrepressible host Alan Winch.
Although not a fully fledged Jerseyman, Alan has lived here for 30 years, so he almost qualifies! He trained as a chef, but, as he says, ‘it was too much like hard work’, and he wasn’t meeting enough people.
So has the cult of the celebrity chef made people more adventurous with their food? ‘It’s certainly brought modern cooking into everybody’s kitchen,’ replies Alan, ‘which is fantastic. But what’s more important is the fact that people are travelling a lot more now.’
It was in Majorca that Alan gained the inspiration for Green Island. ‘I found a lovely restaurant on the coast with a great view, and I thought “this is what I want to do – wear shorts and tee-shirt all year round, and just filter through that relaxed atmosphere to the customers.”’
After the more formal hotel dining scene of the 1970s and 80s, the tide turned in the early 90s. ‘People wanted a more relaxed environment,’ says Alan. ‘Good quality food served at the right temperature, and good service. That’s really been the secret of Green Island Restaurant’s great success.’
Much of the restaurant’s fare is fresh seafood, so whatever has been landed that morning – maybe langoustine, crayfish or lobster – will be the specials for the day. Alan and his chef discuss menus first thing in the morning and organise supplies. ‘It needs a bit of dedication and focus,’ he admits, ‘but I enjoy it, and if I didn’t I wouldn’t be doing it.’
Dougal Anderson - Chef
What's your style?
Emphasis on light dishes, not too many heavy sauces, likeness to a Mediterranean style.
How has Jersey influenced your cooking?
Jersey has influenced me with the fresh seafood available. Seafood now being my favourite thing to eat.
What do you recommend? (favourite dish off the menu)
Herb crusted Brill on a crab linguini with ribbon vegetables and a shellfish bisque.
Favourite restaurants in the world (apart from your own, of course!)?
The Fat Duck (Heston Blumenthal) which I have eaten at. It was more than just eating food, it was an amazing experience.
Green Island Restaurant