Cornish Coast Gem Earns Prestigious AA Rosette – What Makes It Stand Out?

A historic brewpub in Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes, has been awarded a coveted AA Rosette, marking it among the top 10% of eateries in the UK for outstanding food.

A Recognition of Excellence

The team at The Driftwood Spars is celebrating after officially receiving the award, which recognises “culinary excellence” and reflects the high standards diners can expect.

Landlady Louise Treseder said:

“We’re thrilled with our AA Rosette Award. It’s a testament to the hard work of our Head Chef, Tom Bennetts, his kitchen team, and the entire staff. The AA Inspector praised the whole experience as honest and unpretentious, with genuine warmth.”

Quality, Local Ingredients at the Heart of the Menu

The pub’s commitment to sustainability and locally sourced ingredients was highlighted as a major strength by the AA Inspector. The menu offers a mix of comforting pub classics and inventive specials, all made with high-quality produce.

Louise added:

“We don’t aspire to fine dining, and our style of service is far from formal. Instead, this award reflects our use of quality local produce, attention to detail and consistency, and the genuinely warm welcome offered by our staff. We pride ourselves on being a proper pub at the heart of the community, where visitors can experience true Cornish hospitality in every season.”

A Chef With a Passion for Cornish Produce

Head Chef Tom Bennetts, who has been part of the team since 2019 and head of the kitchen for the past three years, has made a name for himself, reaching the final of the South West Chef of the Year competition and the semi-finals of National Chef of the Year twice.

Tom says his inspiration comes from the changing seasons, with ingredients like spring lamb, Cornish asparagus, and line-caught sea bass appearing on the menu. Alongside pub classics like burgers and ploughman’s, he also enjoys incorporating the pub’s handcrafted beers into dishes.

“We’re a humble pub, and you’ll find everything from burgers and ploughmans on the menu, to seasonal dishes showcasing spring lamb, Cornish asparagus, and line-caught sea bass. I’ve also always loved the fact that we’re a brewpub with our own microbrewery just across the road – using handcrafted beer in our cooking and creating dishes with beer matches in mind adds a fun extra dimension.”

More Than Just a Pub

In addition to its award-winning food and in-house microbrewery, The Driftwood Spars offers 15 B&B rooms, hosts weddings and events, and has a lively schedule featuring live music, theatre, pub quizzes, and beer festivals.

For more information, visit www.driftwoodspars.co.uk.

Photo: Tom Bennetts (L), Louise Treseder, Kris Butler and Joe Turner (R)

Driftwood Spars – credit Maeve Williamson

Photo: Head Chef Tom Bennetts