Co-founder of The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow and one of the West Country’s leading business people, Jill Stein adores the wild Atlantic coastline she calls home
Words Caroline Wheater
I moved to Cornwall from the North West in 1968 and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I live on the north Cornish coast, in a village called Trevone, five minutes’ drive from Padstow where the business is based. I can see the sea from my bedroom window and it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach from my house. I used to be a real gym bunny but since lockdown last March I’ve been out walking every day, sometimes twice a day. I’ve found it really beneficial – it’s good to get out into the sea air and clears your head. I like taking photographs too.
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Often I go out with Bocca, a working cocker spaniel who belongs to my son Jack, chef director of the Rick Stein restaurants. Bocca is very energetic and I enjoy having a companion to walk with. From Trevone, we either turn right towards Padstow, or left down to Harlyn Bay. It doesn’t matter if the weather’s not great – autumn and winter are my favourite seasons because it’s very quiet, and I love feeling the wind on my face. Every day is different here, sometimes the sea is flat, sometimes there’s a lot of surf; the colours are ever-changing too, from pale blue to dark grey, and in spring the cliffs are covered in pink thrift and blue squill.
There are no shops or cafés in Trevone so, if I’m nipping out for coffee and cake or a nice breakfast, I’ll go to the Cherry Trees Coffee House in Padstow, or for a glass of wine at BinTwo wine bar on The Drang. I cook for myself every day and make one of my favourites, spaghetti vongole, with tiny beach mussels that I collect down at the beach. I steam them open with white wine and finish off with chopped shallots and parsley. In summer, a perfect day might be going to Rocky Beach with my three grandchildren for a paddle in the natural sea pool that emerges at low tide. Or in the evening, sitting on the beach around 7pm with a friend, sharing a glass of wine. The Atlantic coast is beautiful at any time, wild and a bit romantic.
Jill’s new range of Porthdune toiletries and candles are created in collaboration with Made for Life Organics in Truro. All products are free of artificial fragrance, parabens and sulphates. Buy at shop.rickstein.com.
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