Western Morning News (Saturday)
BIG NAMES AT THE PORTHLEVEN FOOD FESTIVAL
SOMETHING remarkable has happened at the harbour town of Porthleven, tucked away up in the northern corner of the Lizard’s west coast. I remember visiting years ago to write about a retired truck-driver who was determined to create the best fish and chips in the world. He did a good job, but alas passed away before his efforts were fully rewarded with any kind of awards. But now Porthleven has somehow grown way beyond good fish and chips to become one of this region’s culinary hot-spots.
The fact will be celebrated this weekend at the annual Porthleven Food Festival - which is rapidly becoming one of the most important events in the South West’s foodie calendar.
One of the main draws is the Chef’s Theatre and this year’s line up is billed as the best yet. Big names include Jack Stein, Adam Handling (Michelin-starred chef owner of the successful Adam Handling Restaurant Group, which includes the Ugly Butterfly in Carbis Bay), Tom Brown (Michelin-starred chef, who’s originally from Cornwall, and owner of Cornerstone restaurant in Hackney Wick and the new Pearly Queen oyster bar in Shoreditch), Paul Foster (Michelinstarred chef of Salt restaurant), and Ben Palmer (2024’s Great British Menu winner) of The Sardine Factory restaurant in Looe.
The festival will also welcome Chris Eden, executive chef at Gidleigh Park, Josh Eggleton, Michelin Star chef patron of The Pony Restaurant Group, Andrew Tuck, of Harbour House in Flushing, Elly Wentworth, of The Angel in Dartmouth and Masterchef quarterfinalist and Sabzi Deli founder Kate Attlee – plus many more, which can all viewed via the festival’s website https://www. porthlevenfoodfestival.com.
Porthleven Food Festival’s chef patron, Jude Kereama, says: “The 2024 festival line-up is set to be our best yet! We’re thrilled to bring such a talented mix of Michelin star and leading chefs from across the country, to demo for us. It’s going to be a brilliant weekend of celebrations and there is heaps in store from live music, to masterclasses, feast nights and family-friendly entertainment, plus lots more.”
The free event attracts in the region of 35,000 people - who tuck into celebrations in the whole town takeover, with the heart of the activity held around the harbourside. The event continues today and tomorrow.