Cornwall


<p>Chef Benjamin Palmer returned to his home town of Looe, South Cornwall, to open <a href="https://www.thesardinefactorylooe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sardine Factory</a> in July 2018. Awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin in 2019, The Sardine Factory has 80 covers overlooking the stunning harbour with a menu reflecting the ethos of Looe and a passion for local seasonal produce, with an abundance of sustainable fish dishes. </p>



<p>Ben has also opened&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yamaslooe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yamas</a>, a Greek inspired restaurant, on East Looe quayside, which also made its way into the Michelin guide just months after opening. This season Ben is taking his famous Sheila’s ice cream, from his Great British Menu dessert, and will be opening Sheila’s ice cream shop on East Looe quayside, in June.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/06/image.jpeg" alt="What's Cooking? Ben Palmer, The Sardine Factory, Looe" class="wp-image-40908" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/06/image.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/06/image-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/06/image-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-first-job-in-a-kitchen">Your first job in a kitchen?</h2>



<p>First job in the kitchen was as a pot wash in a busy pub in my hometown of Looe. My first head chef job was at Trawler’s on the Quay, which we now own &amp; is Yamas!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-your-career-highlight">What is your career highlight?</h2>



<p>Winning my starter course on Great British menu in 2024 for the South West. I went on to Paris to cook it in the British embassy for Team GB Olympians.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/Andi-Oliver-Ben-Palmer-Great-British-Menu-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Great British Menu s19,14-03-2024,24. Judging - South West,Andi Oliver, Ben Palmer,EMBARGOED: Not for publication until 21:00:01hrs 13-03-2024. People must not be cropped from image.,Optomen Television Limited,Ashleigh Brown" class="wp-image-33280" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/Andi-Oliver-Ben-Palmer-Great-British-Menu-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/Andi-Oliver-Ben-Palmer-Great-British-Menu-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/Andi-Oliver-Ben-Palmer-Great-British-Menu-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/Andi-Oliver-Ben-Palmer-Great-British-Menu-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/03/Andi-Oliver-Ben-Palmer-Great-British-Menu.jpeg 1754w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Optomen Television Limited, Ashleigh Brown</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sum-up-your-food-philosophy">Sum up your food philosophy? </h2>



<p>Finding the best local ingredients that I can get my hands on, treating and cooking them with respect. Simplicity is perfectiont to me.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-memorable-moment-at-work">Most memorable moment at work?</h2>



<p>Winning our <a href="https://guide.michelin.com/gb/en/cornwall/looe/restaurant/sardine-factory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michelin Bib Gourmand</a> at The Sardine Factory, back in 2019, which we still have retained.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/06/IMG_0031-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Sardine Factory in Looe" class="wp-image-40906" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/06/IMG_0031-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/06/IMG_0031-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/06/IMG_0031-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/06/IMG_0031.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ever-cooked-for-anyone-famous">Ever cooked for anyone famous?</h2>



<p>Yep loads, TV chefs, film stars, I really have been very lucky. Too many to mention just one.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-been-your-biggest-mistake-at-work">What’s been your biggest mistake at work? </h2>



<p>This was a very long time ago, but it&#8217;s a classic. Mistaking salt for sugar when making a dessert.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-tired-starving-and-impatient-what-do-you-cook-for-dinner">You’re tired, starving and impatient: what do you cook for dinner? </h2>



<p>Has to be a jacket spud. Simple, easy &amp; very satisfying, tuna &amp; cheese.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-would-you-cook-to-impress-a-date">What would you cook to impress a date?</h2>



<p>I’d cook a fat juicy rib eye with a side of Lobster, ultimate surf &amp; turf! And a great bottle of wine to match obviously.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-chef">Favourite chef? </h2>



<p>I admire a lot of different chefs for many different reasons, so there isn’t just one.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-cookbook">Favourite cookbook?</h2>



<p>The Square cookbook by Phil Howard.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-type-of-cuisine">Favourite type of cuisine?</h2>



<p>Greek &amp; Japanese.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-kitchen-gadget">Favourite kitchen gadget? </h2>



<p>Temperature probe, crucial to get that fish cookery bang on, especially when doing whole fish on the bone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-local-hotspots">Favourite local hotspots?</h2>



<p>NSK in Fowey. It’s no messing, just great simple tasty food done incredibly well.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/Grale-Frit-Ethan-Friskney-Bryer-Feb-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Ethan-at-NSK-1000x750.jpeg" alt="Grale-Frit-Ethan-Friskney-Bryer-Feb-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Ethan-at-NSK" class="wp-image-33041" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/Grale-Frit-Ethan-Friskney-Bryer-Feb-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Ethan-at-NSK-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/Grale-Frit-Ethan-Friskney-Bryer-Feb-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Ethan-at-NSK-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/Grale-Frit-Ethan-Friskney-Bryer-Feb-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Ethan-at-NSK-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/Grale-Frit-Ethan-Friskney-Bryer-Feb-2024-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-Ethan-at-NSK.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-local-markets-and-suppliers">Favourite local markets and suppliers?</h2>



<p>We use our local fish company (Reach The Sea) who are based on the opposite side of the river, you can see them from the restaurant. We take day boat fish &amp; shellfish from them, its absolute prime.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-things-to-eat-when-you-re-on-holiday">Favourite things to eat when you’re on holiday? </h2>



<p>Has to be a spinach pie (spanakopita) in Greece for brekkie.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-mistake-do-inexperienced-cooks-tend-to-make">What mistake do inexperienced cooks tend to make?</h2>



<p>The mistake they make is giving up &amp; not giving something time. It’s never going to be easy to get to the top, it takes time, commitment and showing up, ready to make happen. Rome wasn’t built in a day.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-ingredient-and-why">Favourite ingredient and why?</h2>



<p>Looe Lobsters are the absolute best.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Ben-Palmer-Looe-Food-Festival-1000x667.jpg" alt="Looe Food Festival" class="wp-image-40827" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Ben-Palmer-Looe-Food-Festival-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Ben-Palmer-Looe-Food-Festival-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Ben-Palmer-Looe-Food-Festival-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Ben-Palmer-Looe-Food-Festival-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/05/Ben-Palmer-Looe-Food-Festival-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Catch Ben on stage at Looe Food and Drink Festival on Sun 14 June</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-overrated-ingredient">Most overrated ingredient?</h2>



<p>Okra, can’t get my head around it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dish-you-re-most-proud-of-creating">The dish you’re most proud of creating?</h2>



<p>Has to be ‘Firefly’ &#8211; it was my banquet winning starter on Great British Menu. It’s a kombu baked beetroot tart with cashew, black garlic and feta.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-us-your-best-ever-cooking-tip">Tell us your best ever cooking tip?</h2>



<p>Bring your protein up to room temperature before cooking. And cook with confidence.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-dishes-every-home-cook-should-master">Three dishes every home cook should master?</h2>



<p>Beef wellington, a great curry and because we’re in Looe, a fish pie.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/Looe-720x480.jpg" alt="Looe filming location Beyond Paradise" class="wp-image-23575" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/Looe-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/Looe-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/Looe-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/Looe.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.looefoodanddrinkfest.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Looe Food and Drink Festival</a></em> is on Sun 14 June 2026 and is free to attend</strong></p>


What’s Cooking? Ben Palmer, The Sardine Factory, Looe

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