A new collaboration between a top Cornish chef and a leading luxury holiday lettings company is taking self-catering holidays in Cornwall to a new level.

Guests of luxury holiday specialist Cornish Gems can now enjoy a special private dining experience hosted by a multi-award winning chef from the comfort of their holiday home.

Ben Tunnicliffe, who was one of the first chefs in Cornwall to receive a Michelin Star and owns the renowned Tolcarne Inn in Newlyn, will create a bespoke dinner party menu with sommelier-matched wines for a truly memorable feast.

The new service is designed for visitors who want to experience the very best of Cornwall’s cuisine from the comfort of their holiday home. Bespoke menus showcase Cornwall’s finest, seasonal produce and the freshest seafood, including hand-dived scallops, prime Cornish lobster and freshly-landed turbot, sourced directly from Newlyn Fish Market.

Each private dining experience is completely bespoke and offers Cornish Gems’ guests the opportunity to get involved in the cooking, learn top tips and skills from Tunnicliffe such as filleting fish and oyster shucking, or simply sit back and enjoy the theatre of a top chef in their home.

Commenting on the collaboration, Nadia Macer-Wright, co-managing director of Cornish Gems, said: “This is a very exciting new venture for Cornish Gems and we’re delighted to be able to offer our guests this unrivalled luxury self-catering experience in Cornwall. We have a great portfolio of stunning holiday homes which are perfect for hosting very special dinner parties. We are very proud to be working with Ben to offer our guests a truly memorable holiday experience.”

Tunnicliffe added: “Cornwall has so many first-class restaurants and talented chefs, but it’s not always possible to get a reservation at busy times, and eating at the most sought-after places often involves a long car journey or taxi ride.

“My private dining experiences are intended to provide an alternative, bringing the finest quality ingredients and many decades of experience as a chef into the beautiful holiday home visitors have looked forward to enjoying all year.”

The Ben Tunnicliffe private dining experience is suitable for groups of eight or more and is available to guests who have booked a holiday with Cornish Gems (children’s menus also available).

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