Meet the Team – Say hi to Jordan Wiltshire our Front of House Manager

If you have visited the Angel, you will definitely remember our Front of House Manager Jordan Wiltshire.  Always happy and smiling, he is the man behind the exceptional service and superb wine list you will discover when dining with us.

Jordan, now 26, was actually born in Sydney, Australia and moved to the UK with his family when he was just 4.  Settling in Stubbington, Hampshire, he always loved baking with his mum and after taking part in a cookery contest at school, decided he wanted to be a chef.  However, having gained excellent grades at school, he was persuaded to study on the BTEC Hospitality Level 3 course at South Downs College and passed with Distinction Triple Star, one of only 2 to do so that year!  Covering all aspects of the hospitality business such as marketing, budgets, food service and IT, Jordan soon realised he had made the right decision. During his last year in college and after he worked at the 4-star Solent Hotel & Spa in Fareham before he joined the 10 out of 10 Hospitality Training course working at 5 different establishments including Rick Steins in Cornwall, Chewton Glen in the New Forest and Lucknam Park, just outside Bath; gaining valuable experience and insights into running a business.  It was at Lucknam Park that Jordan, as Head Waiter in Restaurant Hywel Jones, met Elly, and their fantastic working relationship began.

We asked Jordan some deep and meaningful questions in order to get to know him better:

Jordan, what is your favourite chocolate bar? – Galaxy cookie bar.

And your favourite wine – Santorini Assyrtiko.  I am really into the Greek wines at the moment.  In fact, I am really heavily interested in all things wine and wine tasting.  I’ve passed my WSET level 2 and 3 and really enjoy sourcing different wines for the restaurant to match with Elly’s food.  I cannot wait until I can travel freely again and visit some vineyards in South Africa, Australia and the USA.  That’s the dream.

Best film you have ever watched? = Hot Fuzz or Starship Troopers, both of which I have watched far too many times!

Your dream car – one that works would be good!

Your favourite meal – apart from Elly’s cooking!  Fish or pasta.  Prawn Linguine is a particular favourite.  If I am snacking it has to be cheese and biscuits.  I love cheese almost as much as wine.

If you had to choose a bottle of fizz to celebrate, what would it be?  It would have to be an English sparkling.  Either Gusbourne Brut Reserve or Rathfinny Classic Cuvee.  English wine and in particular our sparkling wine should not be overlooked.  It is just as good as champagne and can be better value for money in my opinion, and we should support our growers!

The best holiday you have ever had? New Zealand was the best week of my life!  I did black water rafting in Waitomo through the mysterious Ruakuri Cave. My highlight was white water rafting in Rotorua on the Kaituna river for an epic 14 rapids including the world’s highest rafted waterfall which was 7m! What a trip that was.

The best thing about working in Dartmouth – I think it is the sense of community within the amazing local independent businesses.  You feel like you are all in it together, which is lovely.

Jordan and all the team at the Angel look forward to welcoming you soon to enjoy both the delicious food, excellent service, and most definitely the wine!