Redruth chef who trained with Marco Pierre White to head up new Falmouth restaurant

A Cornishman who trained with celebrity chef Marco Pierre White is set to head up a brand-new restaurant. Darren Kerley, who was born and raised in Redruth, has been unveiled as the new head chef at Nourish.

The brand new "all-day dining" restaurant has just opened at St Michaels Resort hotel in Falmouth. Darren first started his career at the Dorchester Hotel in London before he joined Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons where he worked alongside Marco Pierre White.

The famous Oxford two-Michelin stars restaurant is also where Devon chef Michael Caines trained. Darren then moved to Paris where he worked with pioneering chef Alain Senderens at Luca Carton before deciding to come home to Cornwall.

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It was there that he was instrumental in designing the food concept at the celebrated Cornish restaurant, Sabzi’s. Following a stint at Hotel Meudon, he joined St Michaels Resort with a view to "elevating quality, individual, seasonal ingredients with a plant-focused flair".

He said: "I am thrilled to start my position as head chef at St Michaels Resort and launch Nourish as the hotel’s newest dining concept. Honest, quality produce is at the heart of my cooking and I am proud to showcase the very best of the region, and the true spirit of Cornwall."

He said the new restaurant is all about showcasing the best produce Cornwall has to offer. He added: "Our new ‘Cornish tapas’ bring together the best local ingredients in a convivial, shareable format - the dishes are bright and soulful, yet healthy and balanced, offering plentiful options for a wide range of dietary requirements.

"Vibrant salads and flavourful shawarmas will be front and centre on the menu, and a wood-fired pizza oven adds a rustic charm to this laid-back restaurant, offering hand-made artisanal pizzas with a selection of toppings, for the ultimate nostalgic comfort meal."

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Tim Fryer, director of St Michaels Resort said Nourish has been designed to be a social hub of the hotel – a cosy and informal lounge area with comfortable seating, ambient music and soft lighting which instantly allows guests to relax.

He added: "The launch of Nourish is an exciting and strategic move for St Michaels Resort. The new restaurant will cement the resort as a culinary hotspot in Falmouth while celebrating Cornish produce and community. We are delighted to welcome Darren Kerley to the team and can’t wait to see the resort go from strength to strength."