Rick Stein
One of the country's top seafood chefs, Rick Stein's empire in the Cornish fishing village of Padstow includes - wait for it - a seafood restaurant, a bistro, a deli, a patisserie, a hotel and a fish and chip shop, not to mention the Padstow Seafood School. Rick is so important to the local economy that the little little fishing village has been nicknamed Padstein.
It was his enthusiasm for the great seafood around the coast of Great Britain that led him to make his first TV cookery series Taste of the Sea in 1995 and he has been bringing his enthusiasm for good, simple food to our screens ever since.
After graduating in English from Oxford University, Rick moved to Padstow in 1975 to open a nightclub. Fortunately for Cornish foodies, the club wasn't a success and Rick turned to the restaurant business instead.
Following on from the huge success of his restaurants, Rick has done a great deal for small producers in the UK, championing producers up and down the country in his Food Heroes series. But his greatest passion is still uncomplicated, fresh seafood, as served in his restaurants in Padstow, "nothing is more exhilarating than fresh fish simply cooked," he says.
Rick has done many books and tv series, including Stein's Taste of the Sea, Fruits of the Sea, Seafood Odyssey, Fresh Food, Seafood Lovers' Guide, Food Heroes, French Odyssey, Mediterranean Escapes and Coast To Coast.
All his books and series show a commitment to the quality of food and a concern for sustainability in fishing and good husbandry in farming. So much so that he is a firm patron of the Marine Stewardship Council who promote sensible fishing practices.
Rick was awarded an OBE in the 2003 New Year Honours list for services to West Country Tourism, testament to the rising popularity of Padstow and Cornwall as a holiday destination. His impact on the local economy of Padstow is such that it has been nicknamed "Padstein".
Rick Stein photo gallery.
Website
Rickstein.com
Books
Rick Stein's Far Eastern Odyssey
Rick Stein's Coast to Coast
Rick Stein's Complete Seafood: A Step-By-Step Reference
Rick Stein's Mediterranean Escapes
Rick Stein's Seafood
Rick Stein's Seafood
Rick Stein's Food Heroes
Rick Stein's French Odyssey
Restaurants
The Seafood Restaurant
St Petroc's Bistro
Rick Stein's Café
Stein's Fish and Chips
Rick Stein's Recipes
Like the Italian salsa verde, this is a simple, easy-to-make sauce for any grilled fish or meat, and Rick Stein thinks it is perfection with a grilled veal chop
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20 min
It is very much a last-minute dish from Rick Stein so make sure everything is ready before you start. If using farmed salmon, pay a little extra and go for the best
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20 min
This chowder from Rick Stein is really special, made with lobster (but not a great deal) and using the soft parts of the lobster to thicken the broth
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35 min
These are simply some sliced fresh figs baked on puff pastry rounds, then glazed and served with what Rick Stein calls yogurt soured cream.
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30 min
This risotto from Rick Stein is good made with mixed wild mushrooms or even chestnut mushrooms, sometimes known as portobello mushrooms
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40 min
For great comfort cooking, you'll return to Rick Stein's classic fish pie recipe time and time again.
More comfort food recipes
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2 hrs 25 min
Rick Stein has a great affection for these Mediterranean baked dishes of meat, pasta, tomato and cheese, and in Corfu they give their version a unique quality with kefalotiri cheese and cinnamon
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1 hr 55 min
Rick Stein's snapper recipe is a winner on the barbecue
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20 min
