A Foodies Dream Come True...

I'm a massive foodie, i always have been. From a young age cooking has always been a big part of my life, from making cupcakes to full 3 course meals.

A big inspiration has always been Rick Stein, from watching him on Saturday kitchen, to asking for his cook books at Christmas.

Such a joy to watch and learn from, and since the age of about 9 i decided i wanted to become a chef like my idol.

It never happened and i took a different path, but still i will always be thankful to Rick for bringing out my inner chef.

I had always wanted to travel down to Cornwall in hope that id actually bump in to the man himself, that's not yet happened but i'm hoping to attend a few advents now we live here.

Visiting a couple of his famous restaurants, has literally been a dream come true to me, like a child at Christmas, i was finding it hard to control my excitement.

Our first trip was down to Falmouth, with and idyllic setting, i couldn't pass a photo opportunity! 

I explained to my three why i was so happy and there little faces beamed and they was happy for me that i had finally lived one of my childhood dreams.

To say the least we was all excited to finally to take our first taste of him famous fish and chips, we all ordered fish and chips, the service was also top notch, the staff are so very friendly, and the waiting time seemed to be next to none.

We decided to go and eat down by the harboured boats, not just because i'm in ore, but these have to have been the best fish and chips I've ever tasted! a light fluffy melting batter wrapped around the most succulent piece of fish, and the chips are definitely proper chips! 

Our next visit was to Padstow, where i was almost lost among all the treasure in the Stein shop! I would have happily brought it all, from fresh fish, to table wear, to books, it has it all! Defiantly a place to go if your looking for some lovely gifts,or a little treat for yourself. 

Padstow has to be one of my favourite places with views across the camel river, and the wonderful lobster hatchery ( one of our favourite places to visit ) attached to the restaurant and takeaway is ricks cookery school, what a dream it would be to walk through those doors one day! Work among the talented chefs that have walked those floors. 

On this visit i wanted to try something different so i opted for the salt and pepper prawns, with battered oysters, the kids had the sausage and chips! of course we had to buy a couple of bottles of CHALKY, ricks beloved sidekick he's beloved and missed dog, featured many times on his Saturday kitchen slots. Again with very friendly staff, and a really quick service which is always lovely when you have three hungry children. Of course in the summer the ques are longer and of course the wait will be longer to but for me the wait doesn't matter.

The salt and pepper prawns really did hit the spot, the flavours just complimented each other so well, along with garlic mayo, and a light leafy salad with bean shoots and cucumber. 
Oysters one of those things you either love or hate, and this was the first place i tried a battered oyster! wow, its completely different and now one of my must have when we visit! its such a lovely flavour, in a tempura batter, sesame seeds and lime light but a mini explosion in your mouth! 

The boys really enjoyed there sausage and chips, they said it was the best sausage they had ever had because the flavours really tasted good! such a filling meal for them as well, but you can purchase 'mine stein meals in the restaurant which i think it a great idea as i know Rosie wouldn't eat a huge meal!  ( they are defiantly foodie kids just like me ) 

For someone who really learned a lot from watching and reading through Ricks cook book's it was such a pleasure to finally tuck into some of his fabulous food. Each restaurant/takeaway are perfectly set in some wonderful Cornish towns. 

Next  i would like to have a meal in the restaurant, it would be nice to have a date night there and enjoy a proper dining experience , but i think the kids would be rather up set if they didn't come along because i really have made them in to mini Stein enthusiasts if they had there way we would eat there all the time! 

If you get the chance when visiting the beautiful Cornwall, do pop in to one of Ricks restaurants/takeaways because you defiantly will not be let down by taste, it really will be the best meal you experience. 

Em x