CHEF Martyn Cutler has taken the reins at Ventnor Botanic Garden cafe.
Martyn, who was well-known for his food at Quay Arts, Newport, will create his menus from what his suppliers have picked each morning, said the garden’s new owner John Curtis.
Mr Cutler said diners could expect to see familiar ingredients used in unusual ways.
He said: "Beetroot and chocolate cake, cherry salad or sunflower and strawberry bread are a few of my recent creations."
Martyn said he planned to introduce hampers to encourage picnics in the New Zealand, Mediterranean Gardens and in the meadow with its views over the English Channel.
He said: "I have a larger canvas to work with here – I can develop my cooking in new ways given the resources we have."
The Ventnor Botanic Garden is transferring from the IW Council to a Community Interest Company which is now running the café.
CIC director Mr Curtis, said: "Martyn has a great team trained by the Royal Hotel and we are delighted to have him, his creativity, and his approach to sustainability."
Martyn, who has identified his first apprentice to work in the kitchens in conjunction with Isle of Wight College, has accelerated the new company’s plans for a Sustainability Hub by working with suppliers to cut packaging and by moving away from single serving plastic bottles.
With the gardeners, he is now sowing the seeds for his summer salads and improving composting so less food waste is shipped away.
Jonyth Hill, of the VBG Friends Society, said: "It is back to the future in a way as much of the food for the 160 patients was grown within the gardens during its days as the Royal National Hospital.
"There were seven acres of potatoes where we now grow hops for our beer."
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk