Cornwall


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foodie-news">FOODIE NEWS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Ryan-Venning-Kota-Kai-750x1000.jpeg" alt="Ryan Venning, Kota Kai, Porthleven" class="wp-image-35831" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Ryan-Venning-Kota-Kai-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Ryan-Venning-Kota-Kai-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Ryan-Venning-Kota-Kai-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Ryan-Venning-Kota-Kai-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/Ryan-Venning-Kota-Kai.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ryan Venning, Kota Kai, Porthleven</figcaption></figure>



<p>Kota Kai in <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/cornwall/best-places-to-live-porthleven/">Porthleven</a> have announced a new head chef, Ryan Venning, who joins from Porthminster Beach Café. Originally from South Africa, Ryan brings over two decades of experience with his style deeply influenced by his heritage, blending bold, vibrant flavours with contemporary techniques to create exciting dining experiences. </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/9/2024/02/kota-kai-interior13-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Kota Kai Porthleven" class="wp-image-33104" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/kota-kai-interior13-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/kota-kai-interior13-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/kota-kai-interior13-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/kota-kai-interior13.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://kotakai.co.uk/">Kota Kai</a> was created by chef <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/whats-cooking-jude-kereama-kota-restaurant-porthleven/">Jude Kereama</a> to provide a family friendly option with integrity – a restaurant that offered a laid back, welcoming atmosphere with a delicious menu that stood out from the usual family-friendly fayre and was a nod to Jude’s heritage with Asian elements to its dishes. Now, 14 years later, Ryan’s appointment aligns with the recent refurbishment and update, creating a version of Kota Kai that retains it’s warm welcome, but has become a little more sophisticated.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</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/9/2024/07/Ardor-St-ives-Cornwall-exterior-1000x667.jpeg" alt="exterior Ardor St Ives" class="wp-image-34472" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/07/Ardor-St-ives-Cornwall-exterior-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/07/Ardor-St-ives-Cornwall-exterior-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/07/Ardor-St-ives-Cornwall-exterior-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/07/Ardor-St-ives-Cornwall-exterior.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>In case you missed it from my update in December, Michelin added two more Cornish listings to close out the year.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ardorstives.co.uk/">ARDOR</a>&nbsp;in St Ives, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.duchygrub.com/">Duchy Grub</a>&nbsp;in St Merryn joined Yamas and The Tartan Fox, who made the list in December 2024. You can&nbsp;<a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/review-ardor-st-ives-cornwall/">read my Ardor review here</a>&nbsp;from opening week in the summer of 2024.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/06/View-from-Four-Boys-Cafe-Rock-Cornwall-RB-image-1000x1000.jpg" alt="View from Four Boys cafe in rock cornwall" class="wp-image-30982" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/06/View-from-Four-Boys-Cafe-Rock-Cornwall-RB-image-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/06/View-from-Four-Boys-Cafe-Rock-Cornwall-RB-image-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/06/View-from-Four-Boys-Cafe-Rock-Cornwall-RB-image-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/06/View-from-Four-Boys-Cafe-Rock-Cornwall-RB-image-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/06/View-from-Four-Boys-Cafe-Rock-Cornwall-RB-image-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/06/View-from-Four-Boys-Cafe-Rock-Cornwall-RB-image-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/06/View-from-Four-Boys-Cafe-Rock-Cornwall-RB-image-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/06/View-from-Four-Boys-Cafe-Rock-Cornwall-RB-image.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Speaking of the Michelin Guide, I predict <a href="https://guide.michelin.com/gb/en/cornwall/restaurants">Cornwall&#8217;s 43 best restaurant listings</a> will soon be joined by Flora at Trelowarren, and Rock&#8217;s Four Boys. Reiterating what the locals &#8211; and us! &#8211; have said for months, Gordon Ramsey reckons Four Boys is now &#8220;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DELDplVtraS/?img_index=1">one of the best Restaurants in Cornwall</a>&#8220;, posting a series of photos from his Christmas visit on his IG page last week. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/The-Herd-Burger-1000x666.jpeg" alt="The Herd Burger Truro Cornwall" class="wp-image-35812" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/The-Herd-Burger-1000x666.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/The-Herd-Burger-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/The-Herd-Burger-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/The-Herd-Burger-1536x1022.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/The-Herd-Burger-2048x1363.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>And who knew December was so popular for burgers, with not one but two new burger joints opening in the Duchy. Native Burger opened in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCARDGTCeGr/?img_index=1">Bodmin</a>&nbsp;on Crockwell Street – in addition to their Launceston branch, and everyone’s favourite Newquay-based&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDSZOGPof0x/">HERD</a>&nbsp;opened their second full branch in Truro on 11 December on Princes Street, making it their third opening in two years (they also have a summer pop-up at Carlyon Bay).</p>



<p>Meanwhile, over in Falmouth, <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/latest-news/latest-news-cornwall-new-restaurants-foodie/">we brought you the news</a> last October that <a href="https://www.hookedontherocksfalmouth.com/">Hooked on the Rocks</a>&nbsp;at Swanpool, Falmouth, was to be the latest venture from Tamara Costin and William Speed, the duo behind Flushing’s&nbsp;<a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/harbour-house-flushing/">Harbour House</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="990" height="990" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/10/William-Tamara.jpeg" alt="Tamara Costin and William Speed" class="wp-image-35085" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/10/William-Tamara.jpeg 990w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/10/William-Tamara-800x800.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/10/William-Tamara-400x400.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/10/William-Tamara-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/10/William-Tamara-500x500.jpeg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" /></figure>



<p>Still working closely with Hooked’s Head Chef Jack Frame and General Manager Katie Hemmings to continue to build the success of the iconic seaside restaurant, Hooked on the Rocks will be now be known as Beach House Falmouth, and will open on February 8 2025.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hotel-news">HOTEL NEWS</h2>



<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/9/2025/01/St-enodoc-hotel-rock-cornwall-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-35856" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/St-enodoc-hotel-rock-cornwall-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/St-enodoc-hotel-rock-cornwall-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/St-enodoc-hotel-rock-cornwall-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/01/St-enodoc-hotel-rock-cornwall.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Paul and Emma Ainsworth have announced they have added the St Enodoc Hotel in Rock to their portfolio. With a gorgeous view out over the Camel Estuary (pictured) the hotel is a stone&#8217;s throw from The Mariner&#8217;s and just across the water from their other establishments in Padstow (No 6, Caffè Rojano, Padstow Townhouse and Ci Ci&#8217;s bar).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cornwall-on-screen">CORNWALL ON SCREEN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Playing Nice Official Trailer | ITV" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YinqO2PZks8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s the ITV series that everyone is talking about this month. <em>Playing Nice, </em>based on the best-selling novel by JP Delaney, is an ITV limited series <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/film-tv/where-was-playing-nice-filmed-cornwall/">set against a sweeping Cornish landscape</a>. If you&#8217;ve not yet watched it, the subject matter is pretty thought-provoking, where two couples discover that their toddlers were switched at birth in a hospital mix-up, and face a horrifying dilemma: do they keep the sons they have raised and loved, or reclaim their biological child? Read my guide to <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/film-tv/where-was-playing-nice-filmed-cornwall/">Playing Nice filming locations in Cornwall</a> here. Get your fix of Cornwall on the small screen, before it hits the big screen on 25 April when the Salt Path is released across UK cinemas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sad-goodbyes">SAD GOODBYES</h2>



<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/9/2024/02/Muddy-Stilettos-The-Mulberry-2023-Duchy-of-Cornwall-nursery-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Mulberry winners 2023" class="wp-image-32821" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/Muddy-Stilettos-The-Mulberry-2023-Duchy-of-Cornwall-nursery-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/Muddy-Stilettos-The-Mulberry-2023-Duchy-of-Cornwall-nursery-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/Muddy-Stilettos-The-Mulberry-2023-Duchy-of-Cornwall-nursery-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/02/Muddy-Stilettos-The-Mulberry-2023-Duchy-of-Cornwall-nursery.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Sad news for three-time Muddy Award winners of best restaurant &#8211; the boys at The Mulberry in Falmouth have decided to call time on their fine dining restaurant, due to rising costs and challenging circumstances.</p>



<p>And it is not just restaurants, &amp;Kin in Nansledan have announced they are closing their bricks and mortar doors next month too. The Muddy Award finalists will be remaining online but the cheery Nansledan shop will be no more.</p>


Superflashy Newsflash! New chefs, new listings, new locations

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