Devon & Cornwall fishing chefs

Group picture of the fly fishing chefs

Group picture of the fly fishing chefs

A group of Devon and Cornwall chefs recently took part in a chefs fly fishing challenge at Kennick Lake, Bovey Tracey.

This was to celebrate Country Sports South West's regional campaign to encourage more people to eat responsibly sourced sustainable local rainbow trout and to make the most of the region's fly fishing opportunities.

Fourteen chefs from Devon and Cornwall took part in a fly fishing challenge at Kennick Lake, Bovey Tracey and after enjoyed a lunch of sustainable local rainbow trout. The winning chef was Chris McClurg, Sous Chef of Number 6 Restaurant, Padstow, who caught a 2lb rainbow trout. 

The event was organised by Country Sports South West (CSSW), Cornwall Food & Drink and SW Lakes Trust.

Game fish is an increasingly important part of the South West chefs' repertoire. The fly fishing challenge brought together some of the county's top chefs to highlight the link between fishing and eating responsibly sourced sustainable fresh water fish in the region.

There are approximately 25,000 rod days for salmon and sea trout alone in the South West. The combined worth of shooting, fishing and equestrian to the South West
£1.26 billion (approx)*

The regional game food campaign is being run by Country Sports South West. Development staff help to create and develop new opportunities for game fish suppliers and organise game cookery demonstrations aimed at visitors round the region. In addition, CSSW help to promote regional game fish recipes, chefs, restaurants, gastro pubs, game suppliers and fisheries via a consumer website and marketing programme.

Country Sports South West is a £1.6 million tourism project aimed at promoting the South West region as a premier tourism destination for country sports. The project is being delivered by The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).

Annette Cole, Senior Manager of Country Sports South West, said:
"Rainbow trout features on many restaurant menus in the region; however it still isn't eaten as much as traditional sea fish. Rainbow trout has a delicate taste and is very nutritious and we are encouraging more chefs to utilise this wonderful product, whilst encouraging more visitors to have a go at fly fishing on one of our many rivers or lakes."

Cornwall Food & Drink brings together the county's food and drink providers. 

Ruth Huxley, Director of Cornwall Food & Drink, said:
"We find the events and demonstrations that we put on in partnership with Country Sports South West are always very popular - the chefs love being involved and people are fascinated with game.  Freshwater fish is so often forgotten in this county, where we are surrounded by sea, but there is ample opportunity for game fishing and we hope to encourage more people to have a go!"

South West Lakes Trust is the region's largest combined environmental and recreational charity. Its 50 inland water sites, spread across Devon, Cornwall and West Somerset,

Chris Hall, Outdoor and Active Project Officer, South West Lakes Trust, said:
"Responsibly sourced local rainbow trout not only taste delicious and can be prepared in many different and exciting ways, but also enable anglers to enjoy the wonderful sport of fly fishing in a variety of picturesque locations throughout the South West. It is a healthy outdoor pastime that can be enjoyed by almost all age groups, and is particularly accessible in the West Country. The Trust regularly runs free beginners' days for newcomers wanting to have a go."

Chefs who attended

Karl Jones, training and development chef Fifteen Cornwall
Jack Stein, head chef of the development kitchen, Seafood Restaurant Padstow, Cornwall
Paul Ainsworth, owner / chef of Number 6 Restaurant, and Rojano's in Padstow, Cornwall
John Walton, head chef Number 6 Restaurant, Padstow
Chris McClurg, sous chef Number 6 Restaurant, Padstow
Paul Ripley, previously head chef at Rick Stein's seafood bar, Falmouth, currently working with Nathan Outlaw
Neil Haydock, head chef of Watergate Bay Hotel, Cornwall
Tom Scade - head chef of Tides Restaurant / Mariners Rock, Cornwall
Dave Sargent owner / chef of Sargies, Cornwall
Tony Duce head chef at the Rosevine, Cornwall
Steven Pidgeon head chef of Arundell Arms, Devon
Marc Hardiman, head chef of Bovey Castle, Dartmoor, Devon
Tom Butt chef at The Fox & Hounds Country Hotel, Devon
Richard Bredian, head chef of Roadford Lake Restaurant, SW Lakes Trust, Cornwall

 

Date added: Thursday 27th September 2012
Latest updated: Thursday 23rd May 2013