News Flash – Porthminster Shortlisted For ‘Best Restaurant’!

On the 8th October, the finalists in this year’s Cornwall Tourism Awards were announced and Porthminster Beach Café is very pleased to say that we have been shortlisted in the ‘Best Restaurant’ category. This means that we will either achieve bronze, silver or even gold at the awards ceremony on the 7th November.

We were particularly happy to learn that we were shortlisted from a record number of entries, following a rigorous judging process involving a panel of industry professionals. Competition is tough though, as we are up against The Herring at Mawgan Porth and Outlaw’s at Rock for the top spot.

From the official press release:

“Presented by Visit Cornwall, the Cornwall Development Company tourism service, the Awards have a double purpose as Malcolm Bell, Head of Visit Cornwall, explains: “Cornwall is full of some amazing businesses who are continually developing and improving their offering. By recognising and rewarding this, the Awards celebrate and showcase excellence which in turn inspires quality across the industry.”

Thank you to all our fantastic staff for helping us get this far. Please keep everything crossed for us for the 7th November!

 

Food Mag Readers Awards 2014

The annual food Reader Awards are voted for exclusively by the public, so they are a great reflection what is really going on right now in the food and drink scene across the South West.

In 2013 we were lucky enough to scoop the Best Cafe award, and we promised you we were going to try even harder to impress you this year! So, if you’ve enjoyed visiting us, please take a moment to vote for Porthminster Beach Cafe, either as your favourite restaurant or cafe, we’re not fussy. There are also awards for the best wine list and, don’t tell him we said this, but isn’t it time Michael Smith won Best Chef?!

Voting has opened for the shortlist and closes on November 21st. Then on December 1st the  finalists will be announced in each category and you’ll be able to vote for them until the end of January.

Ladies and gentlemen, cast your votes!

Success in the Food Mag Readers Awards!

It was a wonderful end to 2012 when, just as our annual closure kicked in early this month, Porthminster came away with the award for ‘Best Cafe’ at the Food Mag Readers Awards.

The team at Porthminster were over the moon to hear that readers of the magazine, which covers the whole of the South West, picked the beach cafe out in such a strong category. Runners-Up included Toast in Honiton, Bel Green in Exeter, the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery Cafe and Relish in Wadebridge.

The award recognised Porthminster Beach Cafe for its fantastic food, served in a relaxed and friendly environment. Voters also loved the way the Cafe makes the most of its stunning location, cultivating fresh herbs and vegetables in its small garden, foraging on the coastal path and championing sustainable fishing practices.

“2012 has been a great season, especially given the tough economic times,” said owner and Executive Chef Michael Smith. “We’re thrilled to win this award and we would like to thank everyone who voted for us. It’s down to the amazing team we have here, in the kitchen and out-front, and everyone behind the scenes. We have so much that is new and exciting planned for 2013 and this, along with a damn good rest, will give us a kick start!”

In its second year, the awards received thousands of votes as South West food-lovers shared their favorite places to eat, drink and shop across the region. An online voting system allowed consumers to vote quickly and easily for their best pubs, cafes, retailers, restaurants, hotels, local food and drink producers and chefs.

In the ceremony held at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall was named as local food hero and best chef was Emily Scott of The Harbour Restaurant in Port Isaac. Best restaurant went to Ben’s Cornish Kitchen in Marazion, and best Foodie Hotel to Watergate Bay.

After letting their hair down in the sun or snow variously, the Porthminster team will return next month, with lots in store for 2013. Watch this space!

150 Best Restaurants in the UK

Today The Good Food Guide, in conjunction with The Daily Telegraph, released a guide to 150 of the best restaurants in the UK. The selection was made from the 2012 edition of the guide, based on feedback from readers and backed up by anonymous expert inspectors.

Pigeon-holed as a “funky beach hangout”, Porthminster was described as reliably popular in the summer but also a great destination on a blustery winter’s day, when wave watching becomes a spectator sport.

The editors acknowledged the excellent seafood and also the great options for vegetarians.

“One successful lunch began with superb fried cuttlefish in citrus miso and went on to baked hake with white bean pureé, and what are confidently declared to be the best fish and chips to be found anywhere (beer-battered haddock with homemade tartare, and chips cooked with whole cloves of garlic and sprinkled with crisp-fried rosemary spikes.)”

The anonymous visitor also obviously felt the need to return for dinner and enjoyed “baked Pollack with spinach and a truffled egg-yolk parcel” amoungst other dishes, with our desserts and wine list also garnering praise.

The Cornish section of the guide also included our favourite local burger bar, Blas Burgerworks and gastro pub bolt-hole The Gurnard’s Head, as well as the top Michelin-starred dining rooms of Nathan Outlaw in Rock and Chris Eden at Driftwood over on the Roseland. Cornwall is definately the place to be for great food experiences this summer!