FOOD & DRINK

CAINES RESTAURANT CLOSES

Chef Michael Caines has closed down his Porthleven restaurant for the “foreseeable future”.

Caines opened The Harbourside Refuge in the summer of 2020, taking over the site of the former Rick Stein restaurant.

But faced with the challenges of Brexit, Covid, staff shortages and now the cost-ofliving crisis, he said the business “was not sustainable to survive through the winter months to come” and “with a heavy heart that we have chosen to close”.

Many staff members have been moved to Caines’ other Cornish establishment – the Cove in Maenporth. Caines added that he hoped that after weathering the winter months, Harbourside Refuge would be able to return.

A DOUBLE HELPING

A Truro café has been awarded both a Travellers’ Choice award by Trip Advisor and a Gold award from Taste of the West, for the second year running.

The TripAdvisor award relies on customer reviews and is given to “restaurants that consistently deliver amazing experiences”. According to TripAdvisor, this award puts Bread & Butter “in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide”.

The Taste of the West accolade, meanwhile, relies on the approval of experienced judges, who tour the region assessing hospitality establishments. In their report, the judges spoke of Bread & Butter’s “commitment to local sourcing” and dishes that were “very healthy but without compromising on their delicious flavour”.

STEIN BACK TO SCHOOL

Jack Stein has opened the newly-developed kitchens at Wadebridge School.

The well-known local chef, son of Rick Stein, collaborated with Truro and Penwith College’s hospitality co-ordinator Tony Duce to put on a special demo for students.

The collaboration allows Wadebridge School to not only promote the hands-on skills required by the industry, but also the opportunities that can come with careers in hospitality. Stein said: “I wish I had a facility like this when I was in secondary school. Hospitality is the growth industry in Cornwall. We normally see students come through Truro and Penwith College, so it’s great to see students learn before that stage – this is the school my kids will be coming to, its great they have a brand-new kitchen facility and looks fantastic.”

EDEN OUT TO LUNCH

The Eden Project has regained the top spot in a table that rates family-friendly food offerings in visitor attractions across the UK.

The Out to Lunch campaign, from food and farming charity the Soil Association, asked undercover diners to assess the quality of food being served in a range of venues, from museums to theme parks.

Their findings will now be used to make tailored recommendations to a shortlist of 16 of the UK’s most popular visitor attractions, with a view to make what they serve more healthy, sustainable and family-friendly.

This is the second time Eden has topped the table, having previously come in at the #1 spot in 2016.

Becky Fenner, Eden’s hospitality manager, said: “We are delighted to have come top of the Out to Lunch league table. We explore ways to deliver Earth-friendly food at scale using a food system rather than a food product approach, finding ways of producing food in a regenerative system that is climate positive, increases biodiversity and enhances soil health. Healthy planet – healthy people.”