This week I’ve been reminded of my love affair for Cornwall, food & Rick Stein.

I discovered a podcast interview with Jack Stein done by an Australian chef called Gary Mehigan. Jumped in the bath, started the podcast, an hour and 6 minutes later sitting in cold water it had finished. The time flew by as Jack spoke about the Stein family, the restaurant during Covid, the recent battles during the pandemic, the bashing Rich took from the media due to furloughing his staff to protect the business, Jacks passionate response to this, Cornwall, Cornish produce. Everything that first drew me towards Rick and his cooking. I tagged Jack on my Instagram foodie site and he was good enough to reply ❤️.

Everything about Rick’s business model fascinates me. No frills, brilliant food without the theatre with the beautiful staff that are always smiling and just can’t do enough for you. Ive never missed a tv series done by Rick or Jack. I have all of Rick’s books which have taken my cooking to another level. I’ve been lucky enough to eat at his flagship restaurant The Seafood Restaurant and St Petrocs Bistro. Amazing experiences that can never be taken away from me. St Petrocs Bistro memory is something I will always cherish. After a difficult miscarriage we decided to escape, no better place for escapism…..Cornwall. We managed to luckily get a table for 7pm. Just what we needed. We always plan to go back and eat in better circumstances but not sure if that would change our thoughts on it due to it being a beautiful experience…a couple hurting inside but enjoying some much needed time together in a place we love….the jury is out…….maybe just to painful.

After I met Rick at a book signing in Padstow in 2018 and brief chat his status was confirmed as legendary. So welcoming and warming willing to discuss my passion for food. It wasn’t until I returned to my holiday caravan in deepest Cornwall that evening I decided to sit down with my new book with a bottle of Korev that I discovered what he had written in my book, what a guy!

To have a restaurant open for 45 years is an amazing achievement in itself. To now have over 700 staff employed is fantastic. Not only 700 staff but that’s the supply chain also which is supported with produce to feed the 1000’s that eat within his facilities. I’ve read recently that they already have 20,000 bookings waiting over the next few months when lockdown 3 eases on May 17th. the commitment from the fishermen going out of Padstow is just another level. The Murt family have been supplying Rick for years and I believe they are in the 3rd generation of fishermen now. Rick is also very passionate about The Fisherman’s Mission which supports the fishing industry. The Fisherman’s Mission is the only national charity solely supporting the fishermen and their families.

The business will not be where it is without the powerhouse which is Jill Stein. Having given all of her life to the industry in Cornwall and now has the tittle of OBE which is fully deserved. What a woman.

I hope one day we have the pennies to visit The Seafood Restaurant again.

My dream is to take part in his cooking school. To be able to pick up technical cookery from the masters of seafood is something I can dream about.

Padstow will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s given me so many great memories. Having been going on holiday in Cornwall since I was 5/6 with my younger brother with our parents and grandparents to be going now with my children and family friends we are recreating those memories. Sitting on the harbour wall crabbing, eating fish and chips or Cornish pasties actually in the harbour avoiding dive bombing seagulls. Eating shellfish from the van or sitting on the bench outside the pub with a cold Korev it’s simply amazing.

I’d like my romance to continue…..one day my friend Cornwall……one day ❤️.