On the weekend of the 21st-23rd April, the small harbour town of Porthleven on the south coast of Cornwall once again played host to an epic food festival. For one weekend in April every year, the harbourside and the park at the centre of the small town are taken over by marquees, stages and stalls, and food lovers from across the country arrive for a weekend of inspiring food and drink featuring the best chefs and producers from Cornwall and beyond. Philleigh Way’s Rupert Cooper had the honour of compering the festival’s Chef’s Theatre stage alongside the festival’s chef patron Jude Kereama on Friday, introducing the presenting chefs, talking the crowd through their recipes and lending an extra pair of hands when needed.
The big ticket event for Porthleven Food Festival this year however was the Feasts At The Net Loft, hosted by Rupert. He had a busy weekend! Held in the beautiful and characterful old Net Loft on the harbourside with views out across the fishing boats, Rupert hosted a three-course feast on the Friday and Saturday nights and then a special Sunday lunch. The Friday feasts featured dishes from friends and acclaimed chefs Jude Kereama, Guy Owen, and Andrew Tuck (who’ve all competed on the hit BBC Two TV programme Great British Menu) paired with a wine flight selected by sommelier Elly Owen, and on Sunday it was all about the seasonal roast.
Friday & Saturday Feast Nights
Black & blue onglet, parmesan, pickled jalapenos, watercress – Andy Tuck
Slow cooked Catalan style charred octopus
Grilled asparagus with Cornish yarg dressing (v)
Wild pesto & sourdough crackers (v)
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Bread – trufle butter – dips (v)
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Kota Kai Pork Char Sui with grilled Asian greens – Jude Kereama
Spring vegetable orzo – mojo verde with smoked onions (v)
BBQ Hispi cabbage with feta & onion – Guy Owen (v)
Roasted potatoes with confit garlic (v)
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Rhubarb & Cornish fairing cheesecake, roasted rhubarb with stem ginger & Cornish Gin (v)
Sunday Lunch
Spring minestrone (v)
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Smoked & roasted Cornish Pork served with traditional roasted vegetables, stuffing & cider gravy
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Veggie Pie served with traditional roasted vegetables, stuffing & veggie gravy (v)
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Rhubarb & seasonal fruit crumble, served with Rossa’s clotted cream (v)
Images by Here Now Films for Porthleven Food Festival.