For more than 180 years, Cowes Week has been the only place to be in August, a beguiling, playful jewel in the British Social Calendar, and the discreet summer playground of the jet set. Now there is a new, unmissable reason to visit Cowes and historic Northwood House this summer.

Robert Thompson, chef patron of The Hambrough in Ventnor - the Island's only Michelin starred restaurant - is setting up a pop up outpost at Northwood House throughout July and August 2010, by kind permission of the Trustees.

Thompson's objective? - To showcase - 'a delicious, light as air summer menu' - bursting with vibrant, seasonal ingredients and surprises from the island farmer, fisherman, and artisan producer in the rare and lovely setting of a Victorian Grade II* listed jewel. Northwood was the rather grand vision of one man, George Ward, who requested the offices of John Nash to redesign the building and in 1837 a new house rose out of the shell of an 18th Century house and grew to become a magnet for all of glittering social and political Europe.

Thompson says "For the past year, people have been asking me to come over to the other side of the island and match my passion to the history and iconic status of Cowes Week. Now, it's going to happen. Throughout July and August my menus will be taking inspiration from the incredible island larder, and the intriguing history of Northwood. It's going to be all about the flavours of a perfect Isle of Wight summer."

From Thompson you can expect youthful, laidback glamour, culinary zeal and some cherished Thompson concepts: The stars of the menu will include: Salad of local lobster with island tomatoes, marjoram and olive oil; oven roasted veal tenderloin, with pink fur apple potatoes, lemon and rosemary; island organic eggs, with watercress, girolles and summer truffles, and to finish, strawberries from Arreton with mascarpone, lemon and mint.

He adds, 'Cowes is an exciting, world-class event. People from all over the globe come to the island to take part in the racing, to people watch and to have fun but few visitors know that only a 5 minute stroll away from the waterfront stands this beautiful building and I thought what a fantastic setting it would make for a restaurant. I would like to see that we can more than match the excitement and prowess on the water. Here is my invitation: come and dine on vibrant, local food amid the charm and splendour of Victorian Northwood and witness the house come back to life.

Robert Thompson at Northwood will be a celebration of island excellence, and a dazzling reminder of the island's sexy past, when Lily Langtry once paraded on the promenade in all her finery, and attracted the attentions of a king, Edward VII.

Robert particularly hopes that the opportunity to dine at Northwood, at such a glorious time of year will help highlight the Trustees' cause - "I have been in close contact with the Trustees who are working tirelessly to secure the building's survival, and a percentage of the profits from the venture will be donated to the Charitable Trust."

 For more than 180 years, Cowes Week has been the only place to be in August, a beguiling, playful jewel in the British Social Calendar, and the discreet summer playground of the jet set. Now there is a new, unmissable reason to visit Cowes and historic Northwood House this summer.

Robert Thompson, chef patron of The Hambrough in Ventnor - the Island's only Michelin starred restaurant - is setting up a pop up outpost at Northwood House throughout July and August 2010, by kind permission of the Trustees.

Thompson's objective? - To showcase - 'a delicious, light as air summer menu' - bursting with vibrant, seasonal ingredients and surprises from the island farmer, fisherman, and artisan producer in the rare and lovely setting of a Victorian Grade II* listed jewel. Northwood was the rather grand vision of one man, George Ward, who requested the offices of John Nash to redesign the building and in 1837 a new house rose out of the shell of an 18th Century house and grew to become a magnet for all of glittering social and political Europe.

Thompson says "For the past year, people have been asking me to come over to the other side of the island and match my passion to the history and iconic status of Cowes Week. Now, it's going to happen. Throughout July and August my menus will be taking inspiration from the incredible island larder, and the intriguing history of Northwood. It's going to be all about the flavours of a perfect Isle of Wight summer."

From Thompson you can expect youthful, laidback glamour, culinary zeal and some cherished Thompson concepts: The stars of the menu will include: Salad of local lobster with island tomatoes, marjoram and olive oil; oven roasted veal tenderloin, with pink fur apple potatoes, lemon and rosemary; island organic eggs, with watercress, girolles and summer truffles, and to finish, strawberries from Arreton with mascarpone, lemon and mint.

He adds, 'Cowes is an exciting, world-class event. People from all over the globe come to the island to take part in the racing, to people watch and to have fun but few visitors know that only a 5 minute stroll away from the waterfront stands this beautiful building and I thought what a fantastic setting it would make for a restaurant. I would like to see that we can more than match the excitement and prowess on the water. Here is my invitation: come and dine on vibrant, local food amid the charm and splendour of Victorian Northwood and witness the house come back to life.

Robert Thompson at Northwood will be a celebration of island excellence, and a dazzling reminder of the island's sexy past, when Lily Langtry once paraded on the promenade in all her finery, and attracted the attentions of a king, Edward VII.

Robert particularly hopes that the opportunity to dine at Northwood, at such a glorious time of year will help highlight the Trustees' cause - "I have been in close contact with the Trustees who are working tirelessly to secure the building's survival, and a percentage of the profits from the venture will be donated to the Charitable Trust."