A SOUTHBOURNE restaurant has been recognised as among the nation’s finest.
Restaurant Roots was awarded three AA Rosettes at an awards ceremony in London.
It is the only restaurant in Dorset and the first in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole to achieve the accolade, which is for restaurants that 'demand national recognition'.
Run by husband-and-wife team Jan, 39, and Stacey Bretschneider, 36, Roots was founded in 2015.
Jan, who is originally from Berlin, said the pair were ‘elated and humbled’ to receive the award.
“From a chef’s point of view, having worked up and down Europe in some of the best kitchens, 5-star hotels and Michelin-star kitchens, there’s always the personal ambition to be the best I can be and if that includes me in guides then I am totally happy with that,” he said.
“As a restauranteur, I have to offer a balance of food, service and the happiness of the customer. If the customer isn’t happy, it doesn’t matter what food guide I’m in, they’re not coming back.
“What I want is the smile on people’s faces.”
The pair have a fine dining background and met in Buckinghamshire.
Jan said it was always their ambition to open their own restaurant.
They wanted to open in Bournemouth, where Stacey is from, and found the unit in Southbourne Crossroads.
Within their first year of opening, the restaurant was awarded Dorset Chef of the Year and Restaurant of the Year and added to the Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide.
The idea behind the restaurant is to provide a fine dining tasting menu experience while also being friendly.
“A neighbourhood with an attitude for good food and good service, that’s our restaurant. That’s always what we strive for,” Jan said.
“We’re not here to create everyday food for the everyday. It’s special, it’s challenging, it’s comforting, it’s us. It’s a very personal experience.
“Here’s our heart and soul on a plate.”
The restaurant has become something of a destination, with regulars coming from Bedfordshire, Hampshire, York and London.
Jan said that the area of Southbourne is ‘a hub for ultra-good food’.
“You’ve got Terroir, which is an amazing concept I absolutely adore. You’ve got the Larder House, you can go to breakfast at Syd’s Slaps, there’s so many good restaurants here. One of the best bakeries in the country with M’s Bakery,” Jan said.
“The area here is an absolutely stunning area for food and for people who look to find outstanding products, locally, nationally or worldwide. It’s fantastic.
“It’s great for the locals because they have a choice. For us restaurants, it’s great because we don’t step on each other’s toes because there is such a wide variety, which only helps for the local community.
“For the Southbourne community, it’s a great asset.”
Jan and Stacey have opened the neighbouring two units, The Table, a private dining room, and the Cork and Lobster, aimed at everyday eating for the local community.
They want to contribute to Southbourne in a positive way, helping local causes and supporting the area in any way they can.
Jan has big ambitions for Roots. He said: “What I would like to achieve personally is I would like to achieve a fourth rosette and make it the best restaurant in Dorset.”
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