Food Bites: Barrel aged spirits and a 10th anniversary

bites

TOLCARNE AT 10

Chef-proprietor Ben Tunnicliffe is celebrating 10 successful years at the helm of The Tolcarne Inn in Newlyn. A Signature Dishes Menu featuring some of his favourites from the last decade will run every evening from Tuesday to Saturday until December 15, at £35 for three courses. At Ben’s second pub, The Packet Inn Smokehouse at Rosudgeon, the menu has been adapted to feature a competitively priced burger menu, early dining deals and loyalty cards in response to the current economic climate. “We’ve really cut back our margins because we want to see as many loyal regulars and new faces as possible,” says Ben. “I am so scared for the future of our industry - a lot of great, familyrun restaurants face going out of business this winter. Even if you can only afford to pop in for a beer once a week, or a modest lunch once a month, do it!” l

Diary dates

Porthleven Food Festival will return from April 21 to 23, 2023, presented in partnership with renowned chef Jude Kereama. The free foodie event attracts around 35,000 people to the picturesque harbourside and seeks to celebrate Cornwall’s leading food and drink producers, stimulate the local economy and raise awareness of key issues relating to the environment, food culture and sustainable food production. Watch this space for further details. l

Barrel aged spirits

Colwith Farm Distillery of Lanlivery has introduced a new limited edition aged vodka and gin to its award-winning collection of Aval Dor premium spirits. Founder Steve Dustow says: “We couldn’t resist laying down our award-winning vodka in first-fill American oak barrels, just to see - the result is better than we ever imagined!” The combination of time and charred oak can transform and enhance the spirit, offering both the trade and consumer markets something unique to experiment with in serves and cocktails. The Barrel Aged Vodka (70cl, £44) has been enriched with sweet, creamy vanilla undertones, subtle spice and charred oak, while the Barrel Aged Spiced Gin (70cl £47) with its juniper, orange zest and nutmeg botanicals, “has reached a whole new level” according to Steve. Both arrive in time for the festive season, along with a gift pack (4 miniatures, £27) and a hamper (£99) while stocks last. All products are distilled from Cornish potatoes, grown on the fifth-generation family farm. l

Find out more at www.colwithfarmdistillery.co.uk

Open/Shut

It’s all change on the restaurant front across Cornwall. The 16th-century Prince of Wales pub in Newtown on the Lizard has reopened following a successful community rescue mission; and William Speed and Tamara Costin, owners of the acclaimed beachhouse and schoolhouse in Devon, have taken over the Seven Stars in Flushing, which will reopen in early spring 2023 following a full structural refurbishment. Route 38 US-style diner at Trefulefoot, near Saltash, has been acquired by Loungers, owner of Lounge café restaurants in Newquay, Truro and Falmouth. Meanwhile, The Harbourside Refuge in Porthleven – previously owned by Rick Stein and in Michael Caines’ stable since July 2020 - has closed “for the forseeable future" due to soaring cost increases, and the Old Grammar School in Truro is now permanently closed. l