Former Jamie Oliver Group boss Ryan Jacovides (left in picture) and chef Tony Rodd (right) have linked up to open a new restaurant, bar and bottle shop in Margate. Pomus opens next Thursday, 16 May, in the coastal town’s The Centre shopping precinct.

The pair have both made the move to the Kent coast after establishing their careers in London. Tony, who stood out with his distinctive moustache as a MasterChef finalist in 2015, closed his highly rated Blackheath restaurant Copper & Ink in January this year.

He and his partner Becky had not considered leaving London until the Pomus job offer came up but, he said, “I absolutely love it down here, so I’m really pleased we did it.”

For Ryan, who served as Jamie Oliver’s MD for eight years until 2017 and then as MD of White Rabbit Projects (Lina Stores; Kricket), Pomus marks his debut as owner.

“I’ve lived in Margate for a few years & used to holiday here since I was a little baby, so it’s a dream to be opening up Pomus here.”

Ryan also pointed out that he and Tony are both half Greek-Cypriot – “which is a strange coincidence” – one which may explain the name of the restaurant, which is Ancient Greek for fruit tree.

The opening menu at Pomus includes dishes such as chicken karaage; buckwheat waffles with togarashi spice; and barbecued langoustine tails, razor clams, fennel relish and cucumber ketchup. Local produce from East Kent Growers will be used alongside oysters from Whitstable, while the wine list features independent and British producers, with a different variety on offer every day at £5 a glass.