RICK ST E I N

Award-winning chef talks Cornish beaches, cooking inspo and becoming Padstow’s biggest attraction

RWords | Chantal Borciani

ICK STEIN'S LOVE AFFAIR with Cornwall began in his childhood and has helped define his prestigious culinary career. “My parents had a house at Trevose Head from the late 1930's so my memories go back to when I was extremely tiny in the early 50s; swimming at the beach below our house which is now where the lifeboat house is, buckets and spades, blue and very uncomfortable woollen swimming costumes,” explains Rick.

In 1975, the chef set up a small fish restaurant on the harbourside in Padstow with his wife Jill and over the ensuing decades The Seafood Restaurant won international acclaim for its boat-fresh fish menu and put the picturesque Cornish haven on the map like never before.

The Stein empire in Padstow has certainly blossomed – a café, deli and gift shop followed the restaurant, along with a cookery school, and a hotel and bistro up the lanes at St Petroc's. Rick's love and skill for cooking fresh seafood simply yet exquisitely secured book deals and ever popular TV series. Rick's travel diaries from around the world have brought the flavours of the world into UK living rooms for decades and accompanying cookery books were – and continue to be – best sellers.