A Foodie Road Trip with Simon Stallard

Chef Simon Stallard heads off on a road trip with Jeremy Taylor, revealing his favourite places to eat and drink in Cornwall along the way.

The Great Outdoors: Cornish Tasty

It’s not every day the Cabinet Office calls to ask if a chef wants to cater for seven of the most powerful politicians in the world. Simon Stallard ignored the initial request to cook for G7 leaders six times before finally realising it wasn’t a hoax.

The owner of The Hidden Hut, on the Roseland Peninsula near St Mawes, was presented with a guest list that included President Biden, Boris Johnson, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron. His beach barbecue became a highlight of last year’s G7 Summit in Cornwall and made Stallard a household name. Not that he needed the publicity. Tickets for The Hidden Hut’s ‘feasts on the beach’ officially sell out faster than a Beyoncé concert. The 41-year-old, who specialises in outdoor cuisine, is now flown around the world to prepare scrumptious fare for rockstars and celebrities alike. When he is home, Stallard relaxes by searching out new places to eat and drink. I joined him in the latest Land Rover Range Rover for a tour of some of his favourites – starting with one right on the doorstep.

The Standard Inn, Gerrans 

‘This one is close to my heart – and also the closest pub to my house. When The Standard came up for sale last year I jumped at the opportunity. It’s a proper village inn dating back to the 18th century. In the past the building housed a schoolroom and it’s hosted village meetings for generations. We spent the first half of 2022 restoring the building to open in the summer. It was very olde worlde on the inside. My biggest problem has been the height of the ceilings – I’m 6ft 4ins. We’ve tried to retain as much of the character as we can, including photographs and memorabilia from the old pub. The building is now restored inside and out, with enough space for 50 diners in the bar and 120 in the garden, which is a proper suntrap. The food is a mix of freshly caught fish and sustainable cuts of local meat. The outdoor cooking area was built to my own specification and is a joy to work in. I met my partner, Jemma, in a pub and we have always craved the opportunity to run our own. It’s very challenging but there was definitely a bit of romance in the decision to buy. We want The Standard to be the hub of our village again.’

Star & Garter, Falmouth 

‘When I relax with my family, we sail our boat Tullamore Dew across the estuary to Falmouth. The Star & Garter is at the quieter, top end of the High Street. It’s another revitalised pub, with dark wood floors and a cosy wood burner for the winter months. The bar offers the most amazing views of the sea and incredible sunsets. It also serves a great pint of beer, while the Sunday roast is second to none – the best in the county. If you want to sleep off a slap-up meal, book a room as well.’ starandgarterfalmouth.co.uk

Beacon Coffee, Falmouth 

‘A coffee-lover’s dream at the bottom of the High Street. Falmouth has plenty of cafés but Beacon draws in people from every part of town, as well as tourists. There’s often a small but sociable queue spilling onto the street. The signature cup is the one + one – a flat white served with an extra shot of espresso on the side. Anybody into their coffee should make a beeline for this place. It also offers exceptional pastries.’ beaconcoffee.co.uk

The Idle Rocks, St Mawes

‘There aren’t many hotels in this country where you feel transported to the south of France in an instant. The terrace is perfect for sipping a cocktail on a sunny afternoon and watching boats slip in and out of the harbour. Head chef Dorian Janmaat is originally from Penzance and has worked at Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Seafood features high on the menu – try the roasted Newlyn cod, or the scallop ceviche.’ idlerocks.com

Coombeshead Farm

Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick

‘What a location. Coombeshead is a restored dairy farm set among 66-acres of rolling pasture. It’s also a delightful guest house – perfect to escape the hotspots of Cornwall in the summer. Negotiating the winding lanes in the Range Rover is worth it for the food to be found at Coombeshead. Tom Adams – best known for Pitt Cue restaurant in London – teamed up with New York chef April Bloomfield to create something truly special here in a former barn.The on-site bakery is simply brilliant and supplies bread to the best establishments in Cornwall (try the country sourdough). Pretty much everything on the fast-changing menu comes fresh from the farm fields, too. There’s the duck and smoked jowl terrine, or a whole roast guinea foul to share.’coombesheadfarm.co.uk

Star & Garter, Falmouth‘

When I relax with my family, we sail our boat Tullamore Dew across the estuary to Falmouth. The Star & Garter is at the quieter, top end of the High Street. It’s another revitalised pub, with dark wood floors and a cosy wood burner for the winter months. The bar offers the most amazing views of the sea and incredible sunsets. It also serves a great pint of beer, while the Sunday roast is second to none – the best in the county. If you want to sleep off a slap-up meal, book a room as well.’ starandgarterfalmouth.co.uk

Beacon Coffee, Falmouth

‘A coffee-lover’s dream at the bottom of the High Street. Falmouth has plenty of cafés but Beacon draws in people from every part of town, as well as tourists. There’s often a small but sociable queue spilling onto the street. The signature cup is the one + one – a flat white served with an extra shot of espresso on the side. Anybody into their coffee should make a beeline for this place. It also offers exceptional pastries.’ beaconcoffee.co.uk

The Idle Rocks, St Mawes

‘There aren’t many hotels in this country where you feel transported to the south of France in an instant. The terrace is perfect for sipping a cocktail on a sunny afternoon and watching boats slip in and out of the harbour. Head chef Dorian Janmaat is originally from Penzance and has worked at Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Seafood features high on the menu – try the roasted Newlyn cod, or the scallop ceviche.’idlerocks.com

Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick

‘What a location. Coombeshead is a restored dairy farm set among 66-acres of rolling pasture. It’s also a delightful guest house – perfect to escape the hotspots of Cornwall in the summer. Negotiating the winding lanes in the Range Rover is worth it for the food to be found at Coombeshead. Tom Adams – best known for Pitt Cue restaurant in London – teamed up with New York chef April Bloomfield to create something truly special here in a former barn. The on-site bakery is simply brilliant and supplies bread to the best establishments in Cornwall (try the country sourdough).

Pretty much everything on the fast-changing menu comes fresh from the farm fields, too. There’s the duck and smoked jowl terrine,or a whole roast guinea STAR & GARTER, Falmouth ‘When I relax with my family, we sail our boat Tullamore Dew across the estuary to Falmouth. The Star & Garter is at the quieter, top end of the High Street. It’s another revitalised pub, with dark wood floors and a cosy wood burner for the winter months. The bar offers the most amazing views of the sea and incredible sunsets. It also serves a great pint of beer, while the Sunday roast is second to none – the best in the county. If you want to sleep off a slap-up meal, book a room as well.’ starandgarterfalmouth.co.uk

Beacon Coffee, Falmouth

‘A coffee-lover’s dream at the bottom of the High Street. Falmouth has plenty of cafés but Beacon draws in people from every part of town, as well as tourists. There’s often a small but sociable queue spilling onto the street. The signature cup is the one + one – a flat white served with an extra shot of espresso on the side. Anybody into their coffee should make a beeline for this place. It also offers exceptional pastries.’ beaconcoffee.co.uk

The Idle Rocks, St Mawes

‘There aren’t many hotels in this country where you feel transported to the south of France in an instant. The terrace is perfect for sipping a cocktail on a sunny afternoon and watching boats slip in and out of the harbour. Head chef Dorian Janmaat is originally from Penzance and has worked at Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Seafood features high on the menu – try the roasted Newlyn cod, or the scallop ceviche.’ idlerocks.com

Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick

‘What a location. Coombeshead is a restored dairy farm set among 66-acres of rolling pasture. It’s also a delightful guest house – perfect to escape the hotspots of Cornwall in the summer. Negotiating the winding lanes in the Range Rover is worth it for the food to be found at Coombeshead. Tom Adams – best known for Pitt Cue restaurant in London – teamed up with New York chef April Bloomfield to create something truly special here in a former barn. The on-site bakery is simply brilliant and supplies bread to the best establishments in Cornwall (try the country sourdough). Pretty much everything on the fast-changing menu comes fresh from the farm fields, too. There’s the duck and smoked jowl terrine, or a whole roast guineaSTAR & GARTER, Falmouth ‘When I relax with my family, we sail our boat Tullamore Dew across the estuary to Falmouth.

The Star & Garter is at the quieter, top end of the High Street. It’s another revitalised pub, with dark wood floors and a cosy wood burner for the winter months. The bar offers the most amazing views of the sea and incredible sunsets. It also serves a great pint of beer, while the Sunday roast is second to none – the best in the county. If you want to sleep off a slap-up meal, book a room as well.’ starandgarterfalmouth.co.uk

Beacon Coffee, Falmouth

‘A coffee-lover’s dream at the bottom of theHigh Street. Falmouth has plenty of cafés but Beacon draws in people from every part of town, as well as tourists. There’s often a small but sociable queue spilling onto the street. The signature cup is the one + one – a flat white served with an extra shot of espresso on the side. Anybody into their coffee should make a beeline for this place. It also offers exceptional pastries.’ beaconcoffee.co.uk

The Idle Rocks, St Mawes

‘There aren’t many hotels in this country where you feel transported to the south of France in an instant. The terrace is perfect for sipping a cocktail on a sunny afternoon and watching boats slip in and out of the harbour. Head chef Dorian Janmaat is originally from Penzance and has worked at Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Seafood features high on the menu – try the roasted Newlyn cod, or the scallop ceviche.’ idlerocks.com

Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick

‘What a location. Coombeshead is a restored dairy farm set among 66-acres of rolling pasture. It’s also a delightful guest house – perfect to escape the hotspots of Cornwall in the summer. Negotiating the winding lanes in the Range Rover is worth it for the food to be found at Coombeshead. Tom Adams – best known for Pitt Cue restaurant in London – teamed up with New York chef April Bloomfield to create something truly special here in a former barn. The on-site bakery is simply brilliant and supplies bread to the best establishments in Cornwall (try the country sourdough). Pretty much everything on the fast-changing menu comes fresh from the farm fields, too. There’s the duck and smoked jowl terrine, or a whole roast guinea

Star & Garter, Falmouth 

‘When I relax with my family, we sail our boat Tullamore Dew across the estuary to Falmouth. The Star & Garter is at the quieter, top end of the High Street. It’s another revitalised pub, with dark wood floors and a cosy wood burner for the winter months. The bar offers the most amazing views of the sea and incredible sunsets. It also serves a great pint of beer, while the Sunday roast is second to none – the best in the county. If you want to sleep off a slap-up meal, book a room as well.’ starandgarterfalmouth.co.uk

Beacon Coffee, Falmouth

‘A coffee-lover’s dream at the bottom of the High Street. Falmouth has plenty of cafés but Beacon draws in people from every part of town, as well as tourists. There’s often a small

but sociable queue spilling onto the street. The signature cup is the one + one – a flat white served with an extra shot of espresso on the side. Anybody into their coffee should make a beeline for this place. It also offers exceptional pastries.’ beaconcoffee.co.uk

The Idle Rocks, St Mawes

‘There aren’t many hotels in this country where you feel transported to the south of France in an instant. The terrace is perfect for sipping a cocktail on a sunny afternoon and watching boats slip in and out of the harbour. Head chef Dorian Janmaat is originally from Penzance and has worked at Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Seafood features high on the menu – try the roasted Newlyn cod, or the scallop ceviche.’ idlerocks.com

Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick

‘What a location. Coombeshead is a restored dairy farm set among 66-acres of rolling pasture. It’s also a delightful guest house – perfect to escape the hotspots of Cornwall in the summer. Negotiating the winding lanes in the Range Rover is worth it for the food to be found at Coombeshead. Tom Adams – best known for Pitt Cue restaurant in London – teamed up with New York chef April Bloomfield to create something truly special here in a former barn. The on-site bakery is simply brilliant and supplies bread to the best establishments in Cornwall (try the country sourdough). Pretty much everything on the fast-changing menu comes fresh from the farm fields, too. There’s the duck and smoked jowl terrine, or a whole roast guineaSTAR & GARTER, Falmouth ‘When I relax with my family, we sail our boat Tullamore Dew across the estuary to Falmouth. The Star & Garter is at the quieter, top end of the High Street. It’s another revitalised pub, with dark wood floors and a cosy wood burner for the winter months. The bar offers the most amazing views of the sea and incredible sunsets. It also serves a great pint of beer, while the Sunday roast is second to none – the best in the county. If you want to sleep off a slap-up meal, book a room as well.’ starandgarterfalmouth.co.uk

Beacon Coffee, Falmouth

‘A coffee-lover’s dream at the bottom of the High Street. Falmouth has plenty of cafés but Beacon draws in people from every part of town, as well as tourists. There’s often a small but sociable queue spilling onto the street. The signature cup is the one + one – a flat white served with an extra shot of espresso on the side. Anybody into their coffee should make a beeline for this place. It also offers exceptional pastries.’ beaconcoffee.co.uk

The Idle Rocks, St Mawes

‘There aren’t many hotels in this country where you feel transported to the south of France in an instant. The terrace is perfect for sipping a cocktail on a sunny afternoon and watching boats slip in and out of the harbour. Head chef Dorian Janmaat is originally from Penzance and has worked at Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Seafood features high on the menu – try the roasted Newlyn cod, or the scallop ceviche.’ idlerocks.com

Prawn on Lawn

Coombeshead, Lewannick

‘What a location. Coombeshead is a restored dairy farm set among 66-acres of rolling pasture. It’s also a delightful guest house – perfect to escape the hotspots of Cornwall in the summer. Negotiating the winding lanes in the Range Rover is worth it for the food to be found at Coombeshead. Tom Adams – best known for Pitt Cue restaurant in London – teamed up with New York chef April Bloomfield to create something truly special here in a former barn. The on-site bakery is simply brilliant and supplies bread to the best establishments in Cornwall (try the country sourdough). Pretty much everything on the fast-changing menu comes fresh from the farm fields, too.There’s the duck and smoked jowl terrine, or a whole roast guinea foul to share.’coombesheadfarm.co.uk

On The Road 

Crocadon has been a seven-year labour of love for chef Dan Cox. A past winner of the Roux Scholarship, Cox has cooked at some of the world’s finest eateries, including Aulis in Cumbria with Simon Rogan. His new organic venture opened its doors in August with every item on the menu taken from the 120-acre, hyper-sustainable farm (even the wooden floor is stained with a coffee bean-mix). Expect seasonable fare of the highest order. crocadon.farm

Jeremy’s Pick 

The brainchild of Katie and Rick Toogood, this marquee pop-up sits high above the tourist madness of Padstow on a spectacular hill-top site at Trerethern Farm. The 2019 winner of the UK’s Seafood Restaurant of the Year, the Prawn on the Farm has gone from strength to strength ever since. Expect fish of every shape and size, with wicked G&Ts on the side. The location has proved such a hit, the Toogoods are planning a permanent restaurant on the same site. prawnonthelawn.com