Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall Joins St Austell Brewery for St Piran’s Day Celebration

St Austell Brewery welcomed chef, broadcaster and sustainability campaigner Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall to its head office on Thursday 5th March as part of a special St Piran’s Day gathering celebrating Cornwall’s food and drink culture.

Hosted alongside the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, the event brought together 40 producers, growers, businesses, charities and suppliers from across Cornwall. The gathering focused on showcasing the creativity and collaboration that shape the county’s culinary identity.

Conversation About Food, Nature and Sustainability

During the event, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall took part in an in conversation fireside chat, sharing thoughts on sustainable food systems, the value of local produce and highlights from his career.

Guests were also able to join a question and answer session and connect with fellow Cornish producers while sampling a range of locally made food and drink.

Speaking after the discussions, 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.”

Celebrating Cornwall’s Producers

Jak Yelland-Hill, Food Procurement Manager at St Austell Brewery, highlighted the role that local suppliers play in the company’s operations.

Jak Yelland-Hill said:

“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 of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, also spoke about the wider value of collaboration across the sector.

John Brown 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.”

Cornish Inspired Brunch

The morning concluded with a Cornish inspired brunch hosted by St Austell Brewery. Dishes included roasted plums with Cornish honey as well as Cornish rump steak with fried egg and watercress served on sourdough.

Exhibitors at the event included St Ewe, Buttermilk, Jolly’s, Westcountry, Cornish Larder, Colwith Farm Distillery, Cornish Distilling Co., and Cornish Sea Salt.