A firm set up by the late Michelin-starred chef Gary Rhodes, specialising in luxury deserts, has been sold.

Rhokett, which is based in Cranbrook, with additional facilities in Hawkhurst, near Tunbridge Wells. was set up in 2002 by the chef who grew up in Gillingham and trained in Thanet.

His shock death in November 2019, at the age of 59, stunned the world of cuisine.

The company, which he created alongside Martin Dockett and peter Le Voir, produces a range of premium chilled desserts, with customers including five-star hotels, airlines and supermarkets.

But it has now been sold to private equity-backed Palacios, a Spanish organisation which develops, produces and sells a wide range of food products.

Palacios has now acquired a majority interest with an option to purchase the remaining shares from the management team at a later date.

Pedro Dominguez, CEO at Palacios Group, said: “This acquisition is aligned with our strategic objectives, internationalising the Palacios Group in one of the most interesting markets such as the UK, focusing and growing in pastry, one of our ‘core’ businesses. We have acquired a great company, managed by an excellent team and we are very happy to start this new adventure.”

Rhokett's Peter Le Voir added: “We look forward to the partnership and tremendous opportunities with Palacios going forward who we believe will be strong custodians of the key elements of the business that we and in particular Martin have built up including key customer and other stakeholder relationships, and our tremendous team.”

Law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore, which has offices in Tunbridge Wells and Dartford, advised the shareholders of Rhokett on the deal.

Joanne Gallagher at the law firm added: "We are sure that as part of a new enlarged international group, Rhokett, will continue to go from strength to strength.”

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