I’m Chris Eden.
I am the Executive Head Chef at Watergate Bay in Cornwall.
Our Secret List chat with Chris Eden, award-winning Executive Head Chef at Watergate Bay Hotel in Cornwall and the first Cornishman to earn a Michelin star in Cornwall.
Born and raised in St Austell, Chris has come full circle—from surfing at Watergate Bay in his youth to now leading its culinary vision across Zacry’s, The Living Space, and The Beach Hut with his distinctive “unfussy” approach to fine dining.
After honing his craft in prestigious London kitchens including The Lanesborough and The Square, Chris returned to Cornwall where he earned his first Michelin star at Driftwood, maintaining it for seven years. He later added another star to his achievements at Gidleigh Park in Devon before returning to his beloved Cornwall coast.
With a deep commitment to showcasing the exceptional West Country produce, Chris creates dishes that tell the story of Cornwall while maintaining the perfect balance of approachability and culinary excellence.
A homegrown talent elevating Cornish cuisine with passion, precision, and a profound connection to place.
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I’m from St. Austell originally. So I’m Cornish and I’m working at Watergate Bay. From a kid point of view, I used to surf here, and then to come back years later and oversee the three restaurant sites is like a dream come true, really. I love just being down at Zacry’s on the sea wall, watching the surf come in, watching the surfers, watching the whales. I love the vibe. I love the diversity of the kitchens down there as well.
So, we dream of lots of different things. The Beach Hut is very much burgers, shawarmas, koftas and fish and chips and lovely salads. So that’s what we do down there.
And then The Living Space which is an all-day hotel restaurant with Goan curries and laksas and fish dogs, mushroom chips, grilled prawns and scallops and all that kind of food.
So, it’s really good. The decking out the front is just awesome. You sit there, you have a glass of wine, you have a couple of beers, you have a cup of coffee in the morning, you have a croissant, whatever you want to do just watching the world go by, watching the kids play on the beach…
It’s a really inviting, welcoming environment that people want to come to. It’s really hospitable. The vibe’s really cool. And it’s just a lovely place to be.
And what about if you’re going out for food, whether it’s low key or somewhere quite swanky. What places come to mind?
So, the top places that I love going to personally; There’s a restaurant in St Austell. Unfortunately, it burnt down, but it’s being resurrected. But my go to place would be Kingswood Bar & Restaurant. I love going there. I think what he’s doing there is really cool.
If I’m with the boys, then just any decent pizza place. My boys love pizza. There’s Ansom Pizza over in Porth. Rojano’s is great for pizza.
And then if we want to go somewhere swanky, can we do can you do Zacry’s on the Seawall, can we go there?
We can go there.
Yeah. Fine. I’m in. I’ll go there.
Just watch the world go by, watch the sunset, eat some delicious food, sign me up.
And if you’re thinking of places to grab a drink, where would you go?
There is a local pub in St Austell, which is a religion, called the Britannia Inn. So, we go to the Britannia Inn as a family with my dad, with my brothers.
And then there’s another place in Polkerris called the Ship Inn, or Sam’s on the Beach at Polkerris watching the sunset, is a really cool place as well. It’s just really easy, drinking cold-cold cider. I’m in.
And what about local producers that we should try?
So, I’m going to go – Dutchy Charcuterie. Mark, I’ve been with him for a long time. Love him to pieces. He’s great.
I will always go Ian Warren for meat. I’ve been with him for twenty years, so I’m not new to the bandwagon on that one.
And then, you’ve got you’ve got Padstow Farm Shop. He does all awesome vegetables, so I’d always go there.
Wing of St Mawes as well.
And any drinks producers that you could recommend too?
So, I love Tarquin’s Rum.
I love a cold cider. So, any ciders: Cornish Orchards, the black and gold and Rattler.
I do like Knightor in Trethurgy. They do a Cornish Negroni with their Vermouth. I do like that as well.
You can’t have many of those.
Yeah. I can. I can. I can!
And to wrap up what about a top Cornish tip of something that you should experience when visiting Cornwall?
I know I know it was a bit of a craze now, but paddle boarding.
I live in St Austell, so I’m going to be a bit biased. But go out from Porthpean to Silver Mines or going from Carlyon Bay and down to Apple Tree Beach.
Just get on the paddle board and go out and get lost. I love going out to Carhays.
It’s a simple adventure that’s magical, isn’t it?
Yes. I’m going to get back into surfing because I’m at Watergate Bay. But at the moment, paddle boarding.