I’m still holding out for an Indian summer, but things are feeling decidedly autumnal as I write this edition of the Foodie Diary. There’s plenty to look forward to...
Welcome to a slightly-briefer-than-usual roundup of what’s happening on the Cornish food scene this month. Happy reading, happy eating, and happy holidays! NEW COCKTAIL MENU AT THE BEACH...
One of Cornwall’s most iconic landmarks, the castle-topped tidal island of St Michael’s Mount, sits in Mount’s Bay, opposite Marazion and close to Penzance. If you live in Cornwall, or...
Oysters, lobster and champagne. What’s not to love? I was delighted when Katy Davidson, a.k.a. The Oyster Lady, invited me to an oyster and lobster cookout in Newquay at...
Welcome to the latest edition of our monthly roundup of food news and events from across the county. As ever there’s so much going on, from fish suppers and...
At the western end of Porthmeor Beach in St Ives, you’ll find West Beach, a smart little bar and café, with crisp white paintwork, scrubbed bare wood, and a heavenly...
Summertime, and the livin’ is easy. There’s no excuse not to get out and enjoy the next few weeks of (hopefully) glorious weather and Cornwall being (relatively) quiet. Pack...
The Beach at Bude was recently awarded two AA rosettes, and to celebrate the restaurant’s success, they hosted their inaugural wine dinner on 4 May 2017. Head chef Joe Simmonds put...
The lovely people at Fish for Thought recently sent us some of their recipe boxes to try out. This is a new range of products where customers choose a fish-based...
Welcome to our latest round-up of food news. Expect delicious things in Cornwall this month, with local asparagus and strawberries already featuring heavily on menus. Spring veg, glorious seafood...
Nancarrow is a picture-perfect working farm situated in a valley on the outskirts of Truro, with opportunity for guests to enjoy the produce grown and reared in the surroundings at...
Drawing together an unlimited supply of coffee, a delicious two course brunch and a whole lot of creativity, what’s not to love about Brunch on the Farm? Organised by...
The school holidays are almost upon us, and cafés, restaurants and hotels are steeling themselves for the influx of holidaymakers. This is such a gorgeous time of year, with a...
The Great Estate Festival is Cornwall’s newest summer festival, and takes place from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 June 2017 at Scorrier House, near Redruth. Festival organiser, Quick Panda Productions, has described the...
The Beach Hut at Watergate Bay has undergone several transformations since opening back in 1999. It began life as a bucket & spade and surf hire shop which, in 1999, Henry Ashworth...
Fowey, with its narrow streets, boats bobbing in the estuary, and beautiful views across the water to Polruan, is not your typical battleground. But for one evening in February,...
I wasn’t going to take photos, and I definitely wasn’t going to write about it, but a recent lunch with friends in Padstow was so fantastic that I can’t not share...
Welcome to our latest round up of food news from across the county. There’s a lot going on – keep scrolling down for the jam-packed “In Brief” section. Happy eating! ...
Chris and Kris, two food-obsessed Cornish boys, were fed up of the lack of high quality ketchup on the market and decided to develop a real quality ketchup that...
There’s nothing funny about making sausages, nothing at all. If you’re serious about snags, bonkers about bangers or passionate about pork, then sign up to one of these brilliant butchery...
Canteen Cornwall, a concept dreamt up by husband and wife duo Ben and Samantha Quinn and The Lost Gardens of Heligan have teamed up for a series of foodie events this year, The...
A cold January evening calls for comfort eating, and the cosy Old Mill Bistro in Little Petherick proved the perfect place for a wintery supper. Set in a 16th century...
Happy new year! Forget the detox; now’s the time for comfort eating. Here’s our latest round-up of what’s happening on the Cornish food scene over the next few weeks. Don’t...
All around us people are detoxing, so here’s a rebellious collection of recipes for those of you who need a sugar fix. Rich, boozy, chocolatey, creamy, and pretty much vitamin-free,...
It’s time to eat, drink and be merry! Ho ho ho. PADSTOW CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 1 to 4 December sees Cornwall’s largest food festival taking place in Padstow, in...
From us to you this Christmas: The ultimate Cornish gift guide. Katie Childs is based at her Cliffside Gallery in Port Isaac. As well as beautiful original paintings and...
We’ve asked some of Cornwall’s leading wine experts to share their knowledge with us, and to recommend a bottle of wine to complement your Christmas meal. Between them, they’ve covered...
With party season fast approaching, we’ve picked some fabulous Cornish cocktails to help get you in the spirit. SPANISH SNAPPER AT RUBY’S BAR, PADSTOW Ruby’s Bar is one...
The Padstow Christmas Festival barely needs an introduction. Now in its ninth year, it will take place from 1 to 4 December 2016 and is an unmissable event for food lovers. This...
As I write this, November is just around the corner and Christmas will be here before we know it. Lots of restaurants and hotels have launched festive menus, but I’m...
Welcome to the October Foodie Diary, another epic edition packed full of autumnal flavours, harvest celebrations, and rather a lot of wine tastings. Happy reading and happy eating! AA...
The picturesque harbour town of Fowey lies at the mouth of the River Fowey on the south coast of Cornwall, and the settlement can be traced back for over...
Imagine spending a day in Cornwall, where you could go anywhere, do anything. Relaxing or invigorating; sedate or sporty; creative or adventurous; and eat anything you like. We caught up with...
It’s time for another round up of what’s happening on the Cornish food scene. This month sees some fabulously fresh produce making its way to our menus; look out for...
Imagine spending a day in Cornwall, doing anything you like, wherever you like. Relaxed or active; with friends, family or alone; creative or adventurous; and eat anything you like. We caught up with Sophie...
Once you’ve overdosed on chocolate this Easter, check out our selection of fantastic menus, foodie events and restaurant openings as Cornwall reawakens this April. SPECIAL OFFER FROM THE FISH...
On 16 March Andy Appleton opened his new restaurant Appleton’s at the Vineyard at Trevibban Mill, near Padstow. Following over a decade at Fifteen, Andy has brought with him...
Elliot and Becca Thompson took over The Star and Garter in Falmouth in summer 2015, and I’ve been watching its reputation and popularity rise, recently winning the award for Best...
This month sees Mothering Sunday, a long Easter weekend, and the start of the school holidays. Vibrant green spring produce is beginning to appear on plates across the county,...
There’s a buzz about Bude. Since winning the accolade of “Best UK Coastal Resort” in the 2015 British Travel Awards last year, the small coastal town seems to be booming. Located on the...
It’s much easier to walk down 133 steps at the beginning of an evening, than walk up 133 steps after a huge dinner, especially on a cold, wet January...
For my birthday last year I was treated to dinner at Mitch Tonks’ The Seahorse in Dartmouth. The restaurant is small, intimate and very grown up. We loved it. The freshest fish and...
There’s no avoiding Valentine’s Day this month, but we’ve also got plenty of non-lovey-dovey events and winter menus for you to enjoy. Don’t forget Shrove Tuesday on 9 February....
Last year Simon and Victoria Radcliffe took over The Thomas Daniell in Truro (they also run The Old Grammar School) and it’s now a comfortable and inviting pub, one I’d love...
The Old Quay House Hotel in Fowey has recently changed ownership and undergone a refurb; we were invited to test out the new look restaurant and rooms. When the wall...
January and February are notoriously grey months so we’ve found some creative and invigorating activities to inspire you to get out and about. What are you waiting for? ...
A cold January day is the best kind of day for eating comfort food, and last Sunday was no exception. We’d been invited to sample the Sunday roasts at...
Here’s our pick of Cornwall’s best foodie events and winter menus this month. We recommend you tuck into some of the delicious, seasonal food on offer, with hearty dishes and proper puddings,...
So here it is, the last Foodie Diary of 2015, and what a fabulous year of food we’ve enjoyed in Cornwall. This month sees a host of special events, festive menus,...
This year sees the Padstow Christmas Festival returning to the popular fishing town on the north Cornish coast for the eighth time. From Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December 2015, Padstow will...
A few months ago I was lucky enough to win a Cornish Mutual competition; the prize was Sunday lunch at Philleigh Way Cookery School on the Roseland. The converted barn is...
Another monthly round up of what’s happening on the Cornish food scene. We’ve found some fabulous feasts, fairs and special events for you to enjoy this November. There are also plenty...
Back in July we featured a piece about Launceston on how the North Cornwall market town is making its mark on the foodie scene. Firebrand have kindly written another post for...
I love October (and it’s nothing to do with it being my birthday month). As the seasons change it’s our last chance to catch a few rays of golden sunshine before...
Bruce Rennie has worked as Head Chef at Michelin-starred restaurants in Edinburgh and Northern Ireland, as well as for Gary Rhodes and Rick Stein, and at The Gurnard’s Head and...
Good things come to those who wait; here is the slightly belated September Foodie Diary. It’s a briefer version than usual, but we’ll be back up to our normal lengthy...
I hadn’t been to Carlyon Bay for over ten years and, having heard great things about the new developments there, was really keen to visit. A summer beach banquet, featuring...
So we’re slap bang in the middle of the school holidays and I promised my children that I wouldn’t spend very long at the computer. Sorry kids. I have...
Murphy Williams makes award-winning Cloud Nine Marshmallows in her kitchen in St Germans. Adapted from a traditional French recipe, the marshmallows are freshly prepared in small batches with natural ingredients...
Firebrand Bar opened in Launceston in November 2014 and have spearheaded a food revolution in the old county town. Having heard so much about the place, I recently went on a pilgrimage...
Caroline Davey of Fat Hen Wild Cookery School has shared with us some essential foraging tips along with a selection of her favourite recipes. FORAGING DO’S AND DON’TS Only pick...
CORNISH FOOD ADVENTURES FROM THE BEACH TO THE TABLE By Louise Searle and Hayley Spurway There aren’t many cookbooks you want to read from cover to cover, but the...
School’s (nearly) out for summer. Check out our pick of the wonderful food and drink events and festivals being held across the county this month, plus a smattering of new...
The lovely people at Philleigh Way Cookery School have given us a fantastic prize: two places at their Pysk (the Cornish word for fish) Woodfired Session on Thursday 16 July, worth...
Last week the Barefoot team were lucky enough to find ourselves on a pasta masterclass with Andy Appleton at Fifteen Cornwall. Once we were all aproned up we set to...
The Driftwood Hotel is tucked away on the Roseland Peninsula, and is a haven of tranquility from the moment you walk through the door. Decor is calm, with themes...
Gilmore’s in Newquay has only been open for a few weeks, and has already got a great reputation. Friends who have eaten there have been urging me to go...
Rick Stein’s recent trip around India, searching for recipe inspiration and the perfect curry, led to him discovering a love of Indian street food. I adore curry, and street food, and...
I love Little Plates Bar in Wadebridge. It’s refreshingly authentic, and reminds me of being in San Sebastián, without the language barrier. It’s where we head for a quick...
Zacry’s is the restaurant within Watergate Bay Hotel, and is named after the rocky outcrop at the southern end of the beach. It opened in March 2014 and serves a...
A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend a beginner’s bread making course at Philleigh Way Cookery School. I had heard great things about the courses offered...
Emily Scott took over St Tudy Inn just before Christmas and the pretty village pub has rapidly become a foodie destination. The St Tudy villagers must be delighted to have such a...
Rosewarne Manor is a restaurant and function venue near Hayle, run by Cyril, Gill and Colin Eustice. Head chef Phil Thomas leads the award-winning kitchen; accolades include two AA...
Welcome to the May Foodie Diary, packed with news of festivals, events and a host of new restaurants and cafés. Happy reading and, more importantly, happy eating! FAL RIVER...
My eight year old daughter, Sophie, is an enthusiastic helper in the kitchen. Hardly a day goes by when she doesn’t ask to cut or peel vegetables, stir the...
ol·fac·to·ry (ŏl-făk′tə-rē, -trē, ōl-) adj. | Of, relating to, or contributing to the sense of smell. Tucked away in a converted brewery on the outskirts of Penryn you will find the delightful...
There’s a busy month ahead for Cornwall, with visitors already arriving for the Easter holidays. Gardens are pretty as a picture, with camelias and magnolias in full bloom, and...
Why wait until you’re on holiday to begin eating well? We’re always being asked for recommendations of good restaurants to stop at on the way to Cornwall, so we’ve decided...
Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall overlooks Watergate Bay on the north Cornish coast. The restaurant was set up in 2006, inspired by Jamie Oliver, and runs a hugely successful apprentice...
At the southern end of the Roseland Peninsula sits St Mawes, a picturesque fishing village, with its rows of whitewashed cottages and small working harbour, overlooked by Henry VIII’s clover-leaf shaped...
Spring is just around the corner and the days are getting longer. Fresh produce is beginning to appear and it won’t be long before we see wild garlic, asparagus and spring vegetables...
I’ve heard great things about Ken Symons’ cooking at his restaurant, Oliver’s, and have been wanting to visit for some time. I was invited to enjoy a five-course tasting menu at...
Karen and Debs set up Inkie’s Smokehouse BBQ in September 2014 and, with the imminent launch of their new sauces, are going from strength to strength. Having tried their delicious...
Hooray for February as Cornwall springs back into life, restaurants and hotels reopen, and hearty eating begins again. (Congratulations to those who have completed a virtuous January detox, healthy eating campaign or...
Celebrate the end of your January detox with a supply of fudge for February! The lovely people at The Buttermilk Confectionery Co. have given us a selection of their...
We made this rich and comforting pud four times over the Christmas holidays. The recipe is well and truly tried, tested and enjoyed, and simple enough for children to...
Glowing from their recent award of two AA rosettes, the Mullion Cove Hotel has just launched two new winter menus alongside its locals’ Mullionaires Club, which entitles residents with a...
Last year over 40,000 people descended upon the small fishing town of Padstow for one of the most incredible food festivals Cornwall has seen. This year the community-run Padstow...
Fa la la la la, la la la laaaaaa. PADSTOW CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL THE festival for foodies. There will be over 100 artisan producers in the enormous Christmas Market...
Cornish food producers have been busy preparing their Christmas goods. We’ve been selfless in our task to find and taste as many of them as possible, just for you…...
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working my way through this pile of Cornish cook books, firstly reading them, and then trying out a selection of recipes in the kitchen. The books...
Last month Jim and I felt truly honoured to be invited to an amazing dinner in Padstow. Held at The Padstow Seafood School, we were treated to a sumptuous...
Thanks to the lovely team at Fifteen Cornwall, we’re offering you the chance to win a fabulous prize: lunch for two at Fifteen Cornwall. The prize consists of a...
Welcome to the November edition of The Foodie Diary. Jam-packed with autumnal food it’s guaranteed to warm your cockles. We’ve got winter menus, feast nights and, gulp, Christmas fairs....
We love anything and everything chocolatey in the Barefoot office. As it’s Chocolate Week (13-19 October) what better time to have a chat with some of the businesses creating delicious...
The Barefoot team were lucky enough to be invited to a sneak peak of The Old Ale House in Truro, which is officially opening its doors on Saturday 27...
I always think of October as a golden month. The last rays of summer sunshine still have enough strength to warm your face. Leaves are slowly turning to beautiful...
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the floods and Boscastle Festival has planned its most spectacular year yet. Held over the weekend of 4/5 October, there will be demonstrations...
Ross Geach is a sixth generation farmer at Trerethern Farm in Padstow. The farm is set up high above the town with stunning views across the Camel Estuary and...
There’s something oddly satisfying about following your dinner’s journey from sea to plate; even more so when you can tuck into it knowing that it’s the product of your...
Traditionally a time to celebrate the end of harvest, this month sees food festivals galore. Veg patches are still going crazy (please, no more courgettes…) and we’ll soon start to...
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AT THIS YEAR’S PORT ELIOT FESTIVAL? BETH DRUCE, FASHION WRITER Living in Cornwall, you can often feel very far away from fashion...
It’s no secret that Cornwall is a smörgåsbord of things to do and places to go, and I for one am a cultural all-you-can-eater. As Cornish geo-bucket lists go, the...
Welcome to the August edition of our Foodie Diary. Cornwall is getting busy as we welcome summer visitors, and restaurants are filling up so don’t forget to reserve your...
Cornwall, as ever, has so much to offer us food-lovers this month. We are lucky enough to have top quality fish and meat on our doorsteps, and with fruit...
Each year, on 16th June, the nation takes a whole 24 hours to celebrate one of life’s greatest pleasures: fudge. A heavenly combination of intense sweetness and rich, buttery...
Another jam-packed issue of the Foodie Diary. There are festivals galore, product launches, foraging adventures and restaurant openings. June brings us beautiful broad beads and peas, salads and strawberries,...
Cornwall is becoming known as one of the UK’s food hot spots. Our county is awash with dedicated farmers and fishermen, artisan food producers and internationally renowned brands, seaside chippies...
You don’t need to leave the children behind to enjoy great food in Cornwall, and it’s not all pasties and chips either. You can get proper food in proper...
A VERY SPECIAL EVENING AT FIFTEEN CORNWALL | 28 April 2014 It was Graduation Eve for Fifteen Cornwall’s eighth intake of students, and what better way to test their...
April 30th marks the highly-anticipated National Raisin Day. It’s an opportunity for all raisin-lovers to celebrate these delicious little dried grapes and, with the recent news about the Cornish...
Summer is nearly here! The first Cornish strawberries and asparagus have appeared. A gorgeously sunny Easter break has brought visitors in their droves, and restaurants have stepped up a...
The wait is over and chefs across Cornwall are rejoicing: the asparagus is ready! Asparagus shouts of early summer. The sweet, tender spears are prized by food-lovers, desperate to...
We’ve tracked down some of the best locally-made Easter treats and family-friendly Easter egg hunts taking place across Cornwall this month. Happy hunting, happy eating and happy Easter! ...
Meet Mathilda Fristrom Eldridge, co-owner of recently opened Strong Adolfo’s, along with her husband John. The couple met in Indonesia, and after a period of travelling back and forth between...
As Cornwall anticipates the arrival of visitors, locals’ winter deals are on the way out and new menus are being launched, packed full of salads, young vegetables, fresh fish...
March sees the emergence of spring, the first shoots in the veg patch and newly born lambs in the fields. The recent wet weather has had a huge impact...
Fed up with Valentine’s menus and tables for two but want to do something special on 14th February? We’ve tracked down some of the more unusual Valentine’s offerings in...
Winter is on its way out and spring is nearly here. Hearty flavours keep us going through cold, grey days. Venison, goose, guinea fowl, shellfish and seabass are all...
I’d been meaning to have my knives professionally sharpened for years. After seeing a Twitter conversation between a chef and @SharpAndCut (a.k.a. Zoltan Sipos) about his mobile knife sharpening...
We asked the extended Barefoot team what they’d really like for Christmas, on one condition….it must be Cornish. Hopefully it will provide inspiration for your shopping this year. ...
Guest blogger Suzie Cunliffe invites us to her five favourite foodie spots in the picturesque harbour town of Porthleven – whether you want a quick coffee or a fabulous...
I have been working on the Padstow Christmas Festival for three years now and every year it grows in scale and quality. Fishing, food and drink are at the heart...
In a peaceful spot near Helland Bridge, close to the River Camel and on the edge of Bodmin Moor, you may be lucky enough to stumble upon Tredethy House....
The lovely people at Riverford Cornwall have sent us three delicious soup recipes, guaranteed to warm you up this winter. CELERIAC AND CHESTNUT SOUP WITH BLACK PUDDING AND SAGE...
‘Tis the season to be jolly, especially when you see the culinary delights Cornwall has to offer this December. BEN BASS BACK AT THE OLD QUAY HOUSE, FOWEY The Old...
1. TAKE TWO SLICES OF DA BARA BAKERY‘S WHITE SOURDOUGH BREAD Hand crafted using organic white rye and wheat flours by artisan bakers Tim and Ben Hawkins, recent winners in The World...
From charity lunches to seven course menus, and with bonfires, tastings and feasts galore, there’s so much going on this month. LITTLE PLATES Residents of Wadebridge are eagerly...
WADEBRIDGE’S NEW CAFE/GALLERY BURSTS ONTO THE ART SCENE POP opened in July 2013 and has quickly established itself as a rather sociable place to hang out. There’s something here for...
David Griffen is a food photographer based here in Cornwall and is the creator of a new West Country themed cook book. We regularly work with David and know...
Our guest blogger Emily Smith reveals her favourite cafés, teashops and delis in Falmouth. THE COURTYARD DELI Tucked away behind the big high street names in Falmouth is The Courtyard Deli, which...
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of Halloween-related activities happening in Cornwall this October so we’ve picked out some spooky theatricals that will have you on the edge of...
FOOD NEWS: OCTOBER Cornwall provides for us in abundance in the autumn. We are spoilt for choice with fish, shellfish, game and fantastic meat. Vegetables and fruit are plentiful...
BLUE BAR, PORTHTOWAN There isn’t really a better spot on Porthtowan to watch the sun go down with a stonebaked pizza or juicy blue-cheese burger and a glass of...
Pairing food and beer is gaining credence. It’s no secret that there are some great tried and tested combinations out there – oysters and stout; mussels and a Belgian...
A MASTERCLASS IN SUSHI MAKING WITH CORNISH SUSHI. Who could resist a description like this? “Cornish Sushi has grown from our passion of eating good food. Originally we...
This week was the occasion of my 29th birthday. Unlike other years this one feels a little different. This feels like a seminal age, I am on the cusp...
With summer coming to an end, the air is feeling just that little bit colder in the morning. The sun may have disappeared (for now) but festival season isn’t...
BLUE BUS CATERING’S POP UP RESTAURANT AT RELISH FOOD & DRINK We’ve been friends with Relish Food & Drink since they opened in 2006 and have enjoyed some of...
There’s something very therapeutic about baking a cake. You mustn’t hurry. The weighing out of ingredients is a gentle process. You must patiently grease and line your tin with...
WHAT’S NEW ON THE FOOD SCENE THIS MONTH The past five years have seen pasties and Stargazy Pie taking a backseat to crab shacks, gourmet pizzas and Michelin-starred restaurants...
