The Cornish Italian Job at Appleton’s Bar & Restaurant

October (23) saw around 70 top chefs from across Cornwall gather at Appleton’s Bar & Restaurant, set in the stunning Trevibban Mill Vineyard near the famous Cornish town of Padstow.

Appleton’s Bar & Restaurant has been open for eighteen months, however, just three weeks ago moved the restaurant upstairs to take full advantage of the stunning backdrop of the rolling Cornish hillside.  Culinary dream team and co-owners Lyndsey Marshall and acclaimed chef Andy Appleton have joined forces to create the ultimate destination restaurant with views to die for!

The Santa Maria spice truck was parked outside Appleton’s Bar and Restaurant to show-off its fantastic range of herbs and spices to the chefs as they entered the event.

Andy and Lyndsey were delighted to host the event and bring fellow industry people to Appleton’s to see the beautiful new upstairs space for the restaurant.

Andy said:

“It’s great to be able to welcome the Cornish chefs here today to see our new restaurant space here at Appleton’s. Moving upstairs has given us the benefit of increased space and a more versatile events space. Today I have invited my friend and long-term colleague Adam Banks who is Head Chef at Fifteen into the kitchen with me to cook for the culinary experts visiting today.  It is also great to work with the HIT Training learners who are very enthusiastic young chefs!”

HIT Training learners Kieren Wiles and Kyle Hamilton joined forces to with Andy in the kitchen prepare and serve delicious canapés.  Both learners usually work at the Royal Duchy (Falmouth) and welcomed the chance to work with such an acclaimed chef as Andy whilst still training.

Luke Sargeant, HIT Training Trainer Assessor (Devon & Cornwall) said:

“I am proud to have my learners, Kieren and Kyle here with me today. It is a great opportunity for them to expand their industry knowledge and work with another great chef.  They usually work under John Mijatovic at The Royal Dutchy, so today has given them experience of another professional kitchen outside their usual work place. Both learners are on the new ‘Commis Chef Standard’ qualification offered by HIT Training which offers a complete training schedule at commis chef level.

His colleague and fellows Training Assessor Angie Hunt added:

“It’s a great opportunity to network with local employers who are looking for work-based learning from apprentice to management level standard qualification. The geography of Cornwall means that not all employers are close to colleges, so work-based learning is a fantastic method of upskilling their teams.”

The new twelve-month Commis Chef standard is suitable for those cooking in specialist, ethnic or fine dining restaurants and is suitable for those already in employment as well as those wishing to enter the hospitality industry.

HIT Training learner Kieren Wiles said:

“It is a really relaxed atmosphere in the kitchen today and it is wonderful to be able to take the time to learn new recipes and skills.  I have just made truffle oil aioli and cavolo nero pesto and am looking forward to the tortellini challenge later today.”

First up on the agenda was a gin tasting with local distillery Tarquin’s Gin tasting where Rory Colborne demonstrated two delicious gin-based cocktails: Negroni and Bramble.

Next followed fascinating beef butchery demonstration by Gavin Roberts of Two Brothers Foods showcasing cheaper cuts of steak, maximising from the rump muscle and talking chefs through how to achieve various cuts of meat: flat iron, picanha and prime cut rump steaks.

The day concluded with Clifton Coffee giving an espresso tasting, focusing on body, sweetness and acidity.  This accompanied a lovely afternoon tea prepared by Andy and the learners.

Catherine Farinha, Founder of The Chefs’ Forum concluded:

“Today was a huge success, Andy and Lyndsey were a pleasure to work with and the HIT Training learners were extremely professional.  It was great to see a good show of familiar faces and many new too, all enhancing their skills in beef butchery and Italian cookery – Another fantastic Cornish event for The Chefs’ Forum”.

Photography by: www.diamondimages.co.uk