49th Chat and Eat Night at Fern Cornwall

Last night was all about good food, great company and the chance to catch up with familiar faces while welcoming some lovely new people around the table.

One of the things I really appreciate about FernCornwall is that every visit feels different.

Paul's menus are constantly evolving, shaped by the seasons, what's growing locally, what's at its absolute best etc. As Paul explained to us, his aim isn't to serve dishes you could easily recreate at home, instead, he and the team create food that takes time, patience and technique. The slow-cooked lamb neck, for example, took three days to prepare before it reached our plates. It's this dedication that makes every visit feel like a real experience, rather than just another meal.

The name of Paul's cookbook, Evolve means just that, he's always learning, adapting and refining his craft, and you can see that mindset in every dish he creates.

Their menus change with the seasons and with the produce available that day, so you're never coming back to the same experience.

This Summer menu was fresh, vibrant and full of personality. From the refreshing Pimm's Sundowner with raspberries, redcurrants and citrus from a local grower on arrival, to the snacks

Kern custard creams, blackberry ketchup

Sesame prawn toast, ponzu, chilli that had everyone murmuring, each dish showcased the very best of what's in season.

Our Menu

• Country bread with whipped clotted cream butter

Chilled courgette gazpacho, buttermilk, almond & duck ham

24-hour lamb neck with bagna càuda, BBQ cucumber

anchovy hash brown, goat's curd & shallot

Toasted passionfruit parfait with white chocolate & raspberries.

There were a few standouts for me, I could have easily have hidden in a corner with the bread, butter and the gazpacho and the minted beans on the lamb dish

I would like to say a huge thank you again to the incredibly talented Chefs Paul Welburn, Luke Wiseman and Nathan Dudley for another superb evening and for inviting us back, and

to Ethan Riley, James, Maddie and Phoebe, thank you for looking after us so well. Your warm welcome and attentive service makes every visit a pleasure.

We'll be back in a few months to see what autumn has to offer and I can't wait.

I also want to say a big thank you to everyone that joined me last night. I really appreciate your continued support and encouragement over the years and for telling your friends and family to come along to my events. Without your support I wouldn't be able to do what I love doing which is bringing people together over good food and conversation and helping local businesses thrive.

See you at the next one in September and have a wonderful Summer.