Discovering Cornish seafood

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A search for the finest seafood has led a group of top London chefs to Cornwall, in what is thought to be the first initiative of its kind.

Along with 12 other chefs and restaurant owners from the capital, Yoshinori Ishii, executive chef of the Mayfair restaurant, Umu, widely regarded as the best Japanese chef in the UK, met with day boat fishermen from Padstow to discuss how they might be able to help meet London’s demand for fish of the highest quality.

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It was Cornishman Matt Chatfield who hit upon the idea of bringing the group together. Chatfield lives in the city and, in conjunction with Launceston-transport company, Logisthicks, runs a business supplying the best Cornish produce to top name London restaurants and gastropubs.

Cornwall Food & Drink helped plan the trip to Padstow, which included a special visit to the lobster hatchery and dinner for all the visiting chefs at Margot’s restaurant.

The following day, the group visited Philip Warren’s butchery and Sean O’Neill’s farm. Many of the chefs who made the trip are supplied by these producers via Chatfield’s network and enjoyed the chance to see where their produce comes from.

Speaking of the event, Chatfield said: “Everyone who came was blown away with what they saw and tasted. In fact, it was such a phenomenal couple of days that many of those who came to Cornwall have already asked when we can organise the next trip.”