Chef Proprietor Ben Tunnicliffe is celebrating 10 busy and successful years at the helm of The Tolcarne Inn in Newlyn this year, but warns that very challenging times lie ahead for the restaurant industry.
To celebrate the anniversary, Tunnicliffe has devised a ‘Signature Dishes Menu’ featuring some of his favourites from the last ten years – the menu will run every evening the pub is open (Tuesday – Saturday), from 15th November to the 15th of December.
Priced at what’s described as “an inflation beating” £35 for three courses, Tunnicliffe says he’s kept the price as low as possible to encourage people to come and enjoy a meal out during difficult times.
He explained: “Times are so tough for households right now, as well as businesses. We’ve really cut back our margins on this menu because we want to see as many loyal regulars and new faces as possible, as we raise a glass to the hard graft of the last 10 years.”
At Tunnicliffe’s second pub, The Packet Inn Smokehouse at Rosudgeon, he recently adapted the menu in light of the rising cost of living, introducing a ‘competitively priced’ burger menu, early dining deals and loyalty cards.
Tunnicliffe commented: “I am honestly so scared for the future of our industry. Our food and drink costs in hospitality are up nearly 20%, and then there’s wage rises to consider. And we’re not over the worst of it yet. A lot of great, family-run restaurants face going out of business this winter.”
He urges people to support their local pubs and restaurants in any way they can, saying:
“Even if you can only afford to pop in for a beer once a week, or a modest lunch once a month, do it! There’s a popular quote attributed to Anthony Bourdain that goes something like this: ‘Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock in a mostly empty bar…’ It continues very eloquently, but you get the gist!”
