Stein signs up with St Austell
Rick Stein has confirmed that his first pub will be with Cornish brewer St Austell.
The celeb chef will takeover the lease of the Cornish Arms at St Merryn on 16 February with his wife Jill.
St Merryn is just two miles from the fishing village of Padstow where Stein has established his successful stable of restaurant and food businesses.
The couple have taken on a 15-year lease with St Austell. "The Cornish Arms is a truly special pub which has been my local for many years so I'm very excited to have agreed the lease with St Austell Brewery," said Stein.
"This pub has long played a vital part in St Merryn village life and I'm determined that the Cornish Arms maintains this role.
"Rather than create a gastro pub or restaurant, we'll work with St Austell Brewery and with the pub's customers to ensure the Cornish Arms stays a welcoming, traditional community pub — which also happens to serve excellent pub food."
Esates director Adam Luck added: "Good food is an ever more important part of any pub's success and it is wonderful news that top chefs are choosing to operate good quality pubs in addition to restaurants and bistros.
"With Rick's name above the door, we can be sure the Cornish Arms is in good hands."
Stein is the latest well known chef to take a pub with St Austell, following Michelin-starred Paul Ripley taking over the St Kew Inn, near Wadebridge in October.
The menu at the Cornish Arms will include:
Breakfast:
Full English breakfastCornish kippersField mushrooms on toastVegetarian breakfast
Main menu: Split pea and ham soupMussels and chipsSteak and tribute pieReal beef burgerFish pieScampi in a basketchicken in a basketGoujons of lemon sole.
