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Short biography, 50 words

Chef Robert Thompson MBE is the chef-patron of RT Café Grill and Thompson’s in Ryde, Isle of Wight. He won a Michelin star at Winteringham Fields in 2007 and in 2009 brought the Isle of Wight its first, at The Hambrough. He was appointed MBE for services to cooking.

Full biography, 150 words

Chef Robert Thompson MBE has been a defining figure in Isle of Wight dining for close to two decades. Born in Bedfordshire and inspired to cook by his brother Patrick, he was washing up in a professional kitchen by thirteen.

At Winteringham Fields in Lincolnshire he took over as head chef and was awarded a Michelin star in 2007. In 2009 he earned a second at The Hambrough in Ventnor, the Isle of Wight’s first.

In 2015 he opened Thompson’s in Newport, his first solo restaurant, which ran for nine years. In 2024 he moved the business to Royal Maritime House in Ryde, opening RT Café Grill, named Best New Restaurant in the UK that year, with Robert named Best UK Chef in 2025. Thompson’s tasting menu now runs on selected dates in The Cellar beneath the restaurant.

House style

Please refer to him as Chef Robert Thompson MBE on first mention. The restaurant is RT Café Grill, a restaurant rather than a café. Michelin should be described as listed in the MICHELIN Guide; the stars were at Winteringham Fields (2007) and The Hambrough (2009).