Chef's Fire Pit
Chef’s Fire Pit
Demos
Ashley Palmer Watts
Ashley Palmer-Watts, a visionary chef celebrated for his culinary innovation, has expanded his expertise beyond the kitchen into the world of coffee and spirits. As the co-founder of ArtisanCoffee.Co, Palmer-Watts channels his passion for quality and flavour into creating exceptional coffee experiences, blending his refined culinary sensibilities with a dedication to craftsmanship.
His inventive approach to cuisine has earned critical acclaim and a devoted following. He has also redefined the pub experience by co-founding The Devonshire in Soho, a modern take on a traditional chop house and pub, featuring wood-fired cooking and in-house artisans such as butchers and bakers, celebrated globally for its excellence.
Most recently, Palmer-Watts launched Forgotten, a bold spirits brand focused on sustainability and flavour innovation, challenging conventional approaches in the industry.
With an unwavering pursuit of excellence, Ashley Palmer-Watts continues to influence the culinary, coffee, and spirits landscapes, redefining the art of savouring life’s finest offerings.
![](https://stivesfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/AshleyPalmerWatts-1024x1024.jpg)
Chef’s Fire Pit
Demos
Ben Prior
Ben Prior formally of the multi award winning Ben’s Cornish Kitchen in Marazion now rattles pans and stirs pots at one of Cornwall’s most iconic restaurants, Porthminster Beach Cafe.
Ben continues the traditions and quality stamp of the last 30 years that have made Porthminster what it is today, taking advantage of the restaurant’s unique location helped by both the coastal kitchen garden and the local boats in St Ives’ still thriving harbour, as well as the fertile fields in the surrounding area.
![](https://stivesfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ben-Prior-Porthminster-1024x1024.jpg)
Chef’s Fire Pit
Demos
Tom Brown
Cornwall-born Michelin-starred chef Tom Brown honed his skills in kitchens across the South West, including Rick Stein’s, before working with two-Michelin-starred Nathan Outlaw. Tom quickly rose to Head Chef at Outlaw’s St Enodoc Hotel in Rock before moving to London to lead Nathan Outlaw’s restaurant at The Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, where he successfully retained its Michelin star.
In 2018, Tom opened his debut restaurant, Cornerstone, in Hackney Wick. The 46-cover eatery showcased his signature style of simple, seasonal, and produce-driven cooking, with a frequently changing menu and a central kitchen that doubled as a counter-bar for intimate dining. Cornerstone quickly gained critical acclaim, including awards for ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Observer Food Monthly Awards, ‘Breakthrough Chef of the Year’ at the Food & Travel Reader Awards, and a top-three ranking in the 2019 National Restaurant Top 100 Awards. Tom’s success on Great British Menu further cemented his reputation, with his dish ‘Poor Man’s Goose’ selected as the main course for the 2018 banquet celebrating 70 years of the NHS.
Cornerstone earned its first Michelin star in 2021, which it retained annually, securing a place in Harden’s Guide top 100 restaurants for 2023.
In November 2023, Tom opened Pearly Queen, an oyster bar and restaurant in Shoreditch, further showcasing his passion for seafood and innovative dining experiences.
![](https://stivesfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Tom_Brown.jpg)
Chef’s Fire Pit
Demos
Kathy Slack
Kathy Slack is an award-winning cook, veg grower and writer; a rat race escapee who worked in advertising agencies until burnout and depression forced a change and she found inspiration, and a new career, in the veg patch.
Her debut cookbook, From the Veg Patch (Ebury), was shortlisted for the Guild of Food Writers Award for Best Cookbook. Her forthcoming memoir with recipes, Rough Patch (Little, Brown), is set for release in 2025. Kathy began her food career at Daylesford Organic Farm before transitioning to full-time writing and presenting.
A regular contributor to Delicious magazine and Fortnum & Mason’s vegetable expert, Kathy creates seasonal, veg-centric recipes for magazines and brands, writes the Substack newsletter Tales from the Veg Patch, and gives talks and demonstrations on growing and cooking your own food.
![](https://stivesfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kathy_Slack-1024x1024.jpg)
Chef’s Fire Pit
Demos
Jude Kereama
Born and raised in New Zealand, Jude Kereama trained under renowned chef Simon Gault before moving to the UK. With accolades in Auckland and London, Jude settled in Porthleven, Cornwall, in 1996, quickly becoming one of the county’s most celebrated chefs. His mixed Māori and Chinese Malay heritage shines through in his cuisine, which combines eclectic flavors with Cornwall’s seasonal bounty.
As Chef Patron of Kota, a fine dining restaurant with three AA Rosettes, and the family-friendly Kota Kai, Jude works closely with local suppliers to create inspired dishes. His achievements include representing the South West on Great British Menu, where he reached the banquet as a top-scoring runner-up, showcasing Cornish ingredients and innovation. Kota has earned numerous awards, including ‘Restaurant of the Year’ from the Cornwall Life Food & Drink Awards.
Beyond the kitchen, Jude is an ambassador for Hospitality Action and supports causes like Macmillan, Action Against Hunger, and the Fisherman’s Mission. His dedication to his craft and community underscores his reputation as a leading figure in Cornwall’s culinary scene.
![](https://stivesfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jude_Kereama-1024x1024.jpg)
Chef’s Fire Pit
Demos
Dorian Janmaat
Dorian spent his early years living in Ibiza and Cornwall and spent several years schooling in Spain, a period which sparked his interest in food with fond memories of visiting markets in various beautiful coastal towns. His teens were spent back in Cornwall when the family returned here to live. Studying at Cornwall College and taking his first chef roles, at 23 he gained a place as a Commis Chef at the world-renowned, 2-Michelin-starred hotel and restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.
In 2015, Dorian won the Annual Awards of Excellence, National Young Chef of the Year, a highlight of his career. Dorian went on to spend 9 years at Le Manoir, under the mentorship of Chef Patron Raymond Blanc OBE, and was promoted through the ranks, becoming Head Chef in 2016.
In 2020, Dorian returned to Cornwall as Executive Head Chef of the luxury Relais & Chateaux hotel, The Idle Rocks. During his time in St Mawes, Dorian won several accolades including Restaurant of the Year in the South-West Tourism Awards and 3AA Rosettes.
2024 sees the most exciting chapter yet as Dorian opens the doors to his own restaurant, Ardor, in the heart of St Ives.
![](https://stivesfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Dorian_Janmaat_Ardor-1024x1024.jpg)