My Food Heroes
This section is all al about my food heroes, people and places that have inspired me to fish, cook and brew over the years. It has been split into my local, national and international heroes.
My Favourite Places to Eat
Porthallow Beach Cafe Porthallow – Simply cooked fish and seafood cooked and served by some of the nicest people you will meet in Cornwall. Gary, the owner, is an unassuming man with a deep passion for fresh fish served at his wonderful beach café based on Porthallow beach. I would love to own this place! It’s one of Cornwall’s best kept secret places to eat. Go there before it gets too popular! Gary has plans to extend the upper deck with an open balcony and rooftop dinning, overseeing Porthallow beach which will make the dining experience even better. Don’t be afraid to call Gary on his mobile for bookings early or late season where it may appear to be closed.
Rick Stein – I have eaten at most of Rick Stein’s places over the past 25 years. They have all been good and naturally have seen changes over time. Rick Stein and Keith Floyd have to be amongst my top food heros and whilst I could go on about how The Seafood Restaurant at Padstow used to be, it is still worth a dinning experience, particularly if you have not been before. The accomodation is also very good, I prefer St. EdmundsHouse. I have completed some of Rick Steins cookery courses and they are definately worth the experience, the 2 day fish course is highly reccomended.
Paul Ainsworth No 6. Padstow – Head Chef Chris McClurg is the star of the show here. Whilst only a one star Michelin restaurant (should be a two) it is a true dining experience. Paul Ainsworth describes the menu “with treats” and they certainly are! I am not giving anything away, just go and enjoy a great evening, but hang on to your wallet, it’s not cheap however on balance I think it’s good value for money. One of favourite Michelin starred restaurants.
Nathan Outlaw’s New Road & The Fish Kitchen, Port Isaac – No expense spared, I think Nathan Outlaw’s New Road is the best Michelin starred meal I have ever had. It is certainly the best fish restaurant in the UK. In February 2024 the fish tasting menu was unparalleled to anywhere else I have eaten fine dinning fish. I also ate at the smaller, Fish Kitchen and it was OK , but it has nothing on the main restaurant (New Road). It is not cheap at a healthy £175 per head but just forego Pizza Express 3 items and you will be richly rewarded with real food cooked by a fish chef magician!
Local Sussex Heroes
I live in Sussex and we have a great variety of local produce sold through friendly and helpful suppliers, here are a few of my favourites:
Butchers
Coughtrey’s Butchers, Pulborough – The best butcher in Sussex and the most helpful and friendly I know. They have won Sussex butcher of the year countless times and well deserved. Focused on supply of local produce. You can go in and say ” I don’t know much about meat” can you help? and they will help with a genuine smile on their faces. You can point at cuts you are not familar with and they will tell you what they are. T-bone, local lamb, sirloin, chicken carcass (for stock), bone marrow, beef cheeks, pigs cheeks, shin (on the bone) cote de boeuf…..I cannot reccomend them strongly enough.
Fresh Fish
The Goring Fishermen, Goring-on-sea – Sadly no web site but a great supplier of fresh local fish from Turbot and Halibut to the humble mackerel! Go down to Goring sea front and look for the small blue shed on the beach flying a skull and crossbones flag. Sea Bass is regularly available and makes for a great fishy treat, simply grilled skin side up with a little olive oil.
The Humble Mackerel
all things fish, food and brewing
Hi, I’m Pete. My love of all things fish started when I was very young. I would beg my Dad to take me fishing when I was on holiday in Cornwall where we would catch a few Mackerel for tea from the hire boats out of Mevagissey harbour. I still fish for Mackerel in Cornwall today but now I have a small fishing boat of my own, moored at Mylor. I catch Mackerel, I cook with them, I smoke them, and I eat them.
Pete
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