Best Dining in Cornwall, England
A Printed Guide and Website List Cornish Accredited Restaurants
A yearly List of approved gourmet restaurants, dining pubs, cafes and hotels in Cornwall helps gourmands enjoy quality cuisine in the South West of England.
Cornish Accredited Restaurants
Cornish Accredited Restaurants is the trading arm of the Food in Cornwall Association (FICA) which has been working for the last 14 years to promote to the dining public fresh local Cornish produce prepared by skilled chefs in the establishments' own kitchens.
In order to pursue this mission, the Association has been publishing a list of its approved dining establishments. 'The List' is renewed every year, and is a collection of quality assured fine Cornish cuisine restaurants and good food pubs.
Eligibility Criteria: the Cornish Dining Experience
Anonymous inspectors (chosen among catering professionals) visit eligible restaurants, dining pubs, cafes and hotels and if the 'Cornish Dining Experience' criteria are met, the restaurant is invited to join as a member, paying an annual subscription to cover the cost of marketing.
Evaluation standards take into account local quality sourcing, freshness, skilled preparation, value for money within its sector as well as customer expectations and service.
The List
Foodies looking for Cornish seafood restaurants or restaurants serving organic meat dishes and imaginative vegetarian cuisine will be able to find in The List reliable advice on numerous places to dine.
Bearing the slogan 'Exceptional food in an inspirational County', the 2007/2008 edition of The List was published under the new trading name of Cornish Accredited Restaurants and provides invaluable information for locals and visitors alike.
Available locally as a free printed booklet or searchable online by name, location or map reference, the 2007/2008 'List' comprises 42 eating establishments, including twelve new entries alongside many long serving members throughout Cornwall in South West England: from Port Isaac and Callington in the North and East to St Ives, Mousehole & Penzance in the South West, Falmouth and the Roseland in the South to Newquay in the North.
In both cases, the listing for each establishment includes with full contact details, (including the website, whenever applicable), street directions, three photos, a description, a selction of mouthwatering sample dishes and all sorts of interesting practicalities including the names of the proprietor(s) and chef(s), opening hours, meals served, price range, credit cards accepted, parking facilities, disabled access and smoking policy, but also whether they cater for special diets and offer vegetarian options.
Peer Control and Customer Feedback
As a peers' association of like-minded food establishments, the Cornish Accredited Restaurant scheme guarantees strict standards in the interest of fellow members' good reputation. To keep everyone on their toes, the Association carries out spot checks on members throughout the year to ensure its credibility.
Still, the Association relies as much on customer feedback as on its own local knowledge for information on changes in the market, so diners are invited to get in touch with the secretary if they chance upon gem they think suitable for inclusion, but also should they find that any listed establishment not live up to their expectations.
Fresh Local Produce
In the fourteen years since the first List was compiled, the Cornish food scene has changed considerably and much of it for the better. One thing that has immeasurably improved is the availability of locally produced dairy, meat and vegetables of outstanding quality and great diversity to add to the always superlative and abundant fish. For instance, Cornwall now produces 60 delicious varieties of cheese.
Many members of the Cornish Accredited Restaurants use small farms and specialist (often organic) growers for fresh supplies: in the ground in the morning, on your plate the same evening. This move to local sourcing has remarkable environmental and social benefits, including the sustainability of the Cornish economy.
