A Ramsgate chef who was awarded a Bib Gourmand for his first restaurant is now preparing to open a new venue in Broadstairs.
Luke Crittenden – brother of Stark restaurant founder Ben- was recognised in 2019 with the award from Michelin for Arya, a small restaurant set in a dining room above the former Ravensgate Arms in Ramsgate’s King Street.
Prior to opening Arya with his sister Jess, Luke was a commis chef at The Marquis at Alkham before heading to London, where he worked with the likes of Gary Rhodes, and Chris and Jeff Galvin, becoming head chef at Polpetto and working with Florence Knight.
In 2021 Luke relocated to Wales and opened Foxglove with a now former partner. The tiny 10-cover restaurant became a hit with its five-course tasting menu and foraged ingredients.
He is now bringing that format to Broadstairs in the premises owned by his brother – the first home of Stark in Oscar Road.
Aster Broadstairs will cater for eight covers in an intimate open setting where the kitchen is visible to diners.
There will be a set, vegan/vegetarian menu of five or six courses and additional ‘snacky bits’ with a focus on local produce, ‘wild food,’ organic and sustainable products.
Luke says it’s “all about the vegetables and mushrooms,” with no ‘fake meats.’
The 39-year-old said: “Aster is very small, vegan, mostly organic with lots of local produce. There will be a set menu, so you come, I cook and you have no say in what you will eat!
“It’s all quite allergy free, I hardly ever use gluten and can take it away from the dish if needed.
“I try to be organic and have connected with Windmill Community Gardens for root veg and greens and they have offered to help me source organic produce from others too.”
There will also be wine from Songbird Wine, based in Canterbury, and ‘foraged’ goods from Bello Wild Food which sources from Cornwall to Scotland.
Luke said: “I am keen on foraging, I’m not an expert but I know quite a bit. I did it during covid with things like wild mushrooms, so it was self learning. I pick in my leisure time but it’s not for the restaurant, Bello is my wild food supplier.
“I use a lot of Asian and French influence in my cooking and I don’t use fake meats or anything like that. I’m all about the vegetables and mushrooms.”
Aster – the name derives from a sea vegetable called sea aster- will also be a place where Luke hopes diners will chat to each other and to him.
He said: “I like talking and I laugh a lot. Aster is open plan, I can see the customers and they can see me. I’m unpretentious and after a vibe where people will talk to each other.
“I also get excited when I am cooking and do quite a lot of singing! I’m a massive fan of heavy metal so will have music but something a bit softer, maybe rock ballads with some 80s pop, maybe a bit of Backstreet Boys.”
And Luke won’t just be cooking, he is also front of house, serving, washing up and any other job that crops up. The only other ‘staff’ member will be his Chihuahua Sparky!
Luke said: “I love dogs so Sparky will be there and I think I might allow one dog (with a customer) on a first come first served basis.”
The restaurant is currently having a makeover with Luke being helped by his dad, who is a carpenter, and Ben when he is able to pop down from his home and restaurant in Essex.
Ben and Sophie Crittenden and their children relocated to Mersea Island last year.
Bookings are due to go live next week with Luke hoping to open the doors on November 14.
I’m sure the food will be lovely… but is it a legal requirement for all chefs to be weirdy beardys these days?
And why would a vegan restaurant have a dog installed ?
Surely that conflicts with the ideals of a vegan restaurant ?
I thought only assistance dogs were allowed in food establishments. Please do not tell me this is ”an emotional support dog” for the chef.
I hope it’s really pricey so locals don’t go there and spoil it ..
Price does not define character.
It does poor people (like you) don’t go to places like this .. you lot stay at home and have chicken nuggets and chips.. but people with money and education and class eat at restaurants like this.. prices keep the poor away …. just being Frank
Sounds awesome!
What price will the set menu be please?
Great need more goid resturants with a Vegan choice
What a shame its a vegan restaurant, I will probably still give it a go though.
Go to Tripadvisor and search for “Foxglove Barmouth” and take a look at the reviews there; that’ll give you an idea of what people thought of the food.
Food that is good for people not wanting bowel or colon cancer or clogged arteries.
Veganism doesn’t stop that though, just reduces the chances by like 10% or so. and vegans wonder why no-one likes their proselytising.
That’s not what the scientific studies show.
My mum was a vegan but still got bowel cancer.
Every person I have met with bowel cancer or colon cancer has been a meat and/or dairy eater, even both sides of my close family died of it. I have never met a long term Vegan on a balanced diet to get this awful illness. Very sorry about your mum.
I have never met a long term Vegan on a balanced diet to suffer from bowel or colon cancer. Your mum must have been very unlucky.Very sad.