Hugh Fearnley‑Whittingstall joins St Austell Brewery for St Piran’s Day celebration of Cornish food and drink
- Guild Secretary
- 9 minutes ago
- 3 min read
St Austell Brewery welcomed acclaimed chef, broadcaster and sustainability campaigner Hugh Fearnley‑Whittingstall to its head office today (Thursday 5th March) as part of a special St Piran’s Day event celebrating Cornwall’s rich food and drink culture.
Hosted in partnership with the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, the event brought together 40 producers, growers, businesses, charities and suppliers from across the county to showcase the creativity that defines the region’s culinary identity.
Hugh took part in an in‑conversation ‘fireside’ chat, where he discussed his long-standing passion for sustainable food systems, the importance of local produce, and highlights from his career. Guests also joined a Q&A session and had the opportunity to network with fellow Cornish producers while sampling a range of locally made products.
Commenting on the event and conversations, Hugh Fearnley‑Whittingstall, said: “It was brilliant to be in Cornwall today on St Piran’s Day with so many local growers, makers and suppliers. Great food is always rooted in great stories. When you know where your food comes from - who grew it, caught it or made it - it creates a much deeper connection to what’s on your plate. Cornwall has an incredible natural larder, and when we source locally and responsibly, we’re not just supporting producers, we’re protecting the landscapes and ecosystems that make this place so special – and what better day to pay homage.
”Whenever we talk about food, we should also be talking about nature - how we farm, fish and grow in ways that protect biodiversity and build a more resilient food system. There’s real optimism in that conversation, particularly as innovation and new thinking open up smarter, more regenerative ways of producing food for the future.”
Jak Yelland-Hill, Food Procurement Manager, St Austell Brewery: “Cornwall is home to some of the most talented producers and exceptional ingredients in the country, and we’re incredibly proud to have strong, long‑lasting relationships with our suppliers across our heartland.
“A strong local supply chain is vital for quality, resilience and sustainability. Events like this help reinforce the importance of our suppliers and St Piran’s Day is a perfect moment to celebrate the Cornish producers who help us deliver quality across our pub menus and ensure our wholesale drinks range continues to reflect the very best of the region.”
John Brown, Chief Executive, Cornwall Chamber, said: “Cornwall’s food and drink sector is built on people, place and pride - and telling those stories matters more than ever. When local businesses champion one another and share their successes, it raises the profile of the whole supply chain and strengthens our regional economy.
“Events like this create space for curiosity, collaboration and conversation about the future - from food security to regenerative farming and biodiversity. There is a real sense of momentum and optimism across the sector, and by continuing to learn from one another and tell our stories locally, we can drive positive, long‑term change for Cornwall.”
The morning concluded with a Cornish-inspired brunch hosted by St Austell Brewery, featuring dishes such as roasted plums, Cornish honey and Cornish rump steak, fried egg, and watercress on sourdough. Exhibitors included St Ewe, Buttermilk, Jolly’s, Westcountry, Cornish Larder, Colwith Farm Distillery, Cornish Distilling Co., and Cornish Sea Salt.
ENDS
About St Austell Brewery
St Austell Brewery was founded as a family-owned company in 1851 and has been fuelled by Cornish spirit and independent thinking ever since. Celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, it is the South West’s leading brewing, hospitality and drinks wholesale business.
The company operates two breweries, in St Austell and Warmley (near Bath), following the acquisition of Bath Ales in 2016. Its award-winning beers - including Tribute pale ale, Proper Job IPA and korev lager - are available in pubs and supermarkets nationwide.
St Austell Brewery owns over 160 pubs and inns across the South West, comprising of 45 managed houses alongside leased and tenanted sites that are independently run by business partners.
With a network of six distribution centres across the region, from St Columb to Wimborne, the company is the South West’s leading drinks wholesaler. In 2022, it became a minority shareholder in Harbour Brewing Company, expanding Harbour’s distribution footprint and making its high-quality craft beers available in St Austell Brewery pubs and for wholesale customers.
Proud of its heritage and inspired by the future, St Austell Brewery is brewing great experiences for generations to come.
For more information, see https://www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/ or contact:
Charlotte Turner
Press Officer
07977 564 900
Megan Chuter
Head of Communications
07970 379 690
Third-party news items are published as received for informational purposes. Publication does not imply endorsement by the Guild. Please use the contact details within the post for any enquiries.
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