Chef Paul Ainsworth in the kitchen at his Padstow restaurant.
Padstow restaurant Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 has earned the town’s first ever Michelin star, it was revealed yesterday. The news came as a surprise to Mr Ainsworth as the Michelin website accidentally published details of the new restaurants included in the 2013 guide a week ahead of the official release.
After being alerted to the news by comments on Twitter, Mr Ainsworth telephoned Michelin who confirmed that the Padstow restaurant had been awarded its first star.
He said: “I just couldn’t believe it, I didn’t know whether to celebrate or what to do, and then Twitter went crazy, every tweet was about Michelin. So I called Michelin and they confirmed that we had been awarded a star which was an amazing feeling.
“It’s something that I’ve always dreamt of as a kid; for every chef I’ve ever worked for, that was the point to prove you were cooking good food. There are lots of other lists and guides but Michelin has always been a super-special guide.”
Mr Ainsworth’s restaurant brings Cornwall’s total of Michelin-starred establishments to three alongside the two-starred Restaurant Nathan Outlaw in nearby Rock, and the Driftwood at Portscatho, where last year chef Chris Eden became the first Cornishman to hold the honour.
Mr Ainsworth praised the hard work and support of his team at Number 6, especially his head chef John Walton. “Padstow is such a foodie-orientated area but the town has never had a star, and for it to be with John, who has been with us since day one and is a Padstonian lad, it’s incredible. I’m so proud of all my team here at Number 6 who are just brilliant, it’s been seven years of really hard work and it’s amazing to be recognised in this way.”
Mr Ainsworth started his culinary career with acclaimed chef Gary Rhodes, starting work at his London restaurant Rhodes in the Square in 1998. He then spent three years under Gordon Ramsay at his flagship restaurant Royal Hospital Road, before working with Marcus Wareing at Pétrus and then The Berkeley.
He moved to Padstow in 2006 to take on Number 6 in partnership with two colleagues from London, taking sole ownership of the restaurant in 2009.
Now 33, Mr Ainsworth came to national attention with his success on the 2011 BBC2 series Great British Menu, where his Taste of the Fairground dessert was served at the show’s final banquet.
Mr Ainsworth acknowledged the debt that Cornwall owes to Padstow’s best-known chef. He said: “Lots of people assume there’s a big rivalry between me and Rick [Stein] but there’s not, I’ve always thought Rick Stein is an absolute legend and what he’s done for Padstow has been absolutely brilliant.
“I’ve always admired his ethos of serving great local fish cooked brilliantly, and he’s made the town famous. I’ve tried to complement him and offer something different – showcase Cornwall’s game and the shellfish and the meat, and the great artisan producers that we have here in Cornwall.”