A West Devon town’s ‘foodie’ pub has been named as one of the best in the UK. The Cornish Arms in Tavstock centre, owned by St Austell Brewery and run by chef husband and wife John and Emma Hooker, has scooped second place in the prestigious Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub list. The pub has moved up the rankings over the years for its delicious food and top-quality dishes and has won other awards.

 The listing says: “The Cornish Arms is a gastropub that serves the simplest of food crafted with the highest care. It serves unpretentious, mouth-watering dishes, featuring superb local produce.

It opened in 2013 and was placed as one of the top 50 Gastro Pubs in the UK within six months of opening. In 2014 it gained and retains a Michelin Bib Gourmand and in 2015 the Cornish Arms won Food Pub of the Year at the annual St Austell Brewery award and John was named Chef of the Year in the Trencherman’s awards. John, who has held 3AA Rosettes, appeared in the Good Food Guid and competed on BBC2’s Great British Menu in 2010 and 2011, said about the latest achievement: “We’re buzzing – it’s a phenomenal achievement. We cook for our customers first and make sure we have a commercially viable business - particularly in this current climate - but to get the accolades is the icing on the cake.” 

When the couple took on the Cornish Arms they aimed to turn it into a pub in their home town they would want to visit themselves, but it has surpassed their ambitions and turned into a ‘gastronomic destination’.