Former Cygnet chef to launch restaurant in Cornwall

The former chef patron of Cygnet at the Swan Inn in Oxfordshire is set to launch a new restaurant in Cornwall as executive chef.

Chef Paul Welburn launched the Cygnet restaurant in December 2022 with Nina Gray and Nicole Patrick, the directors of Migg Inns. Under his tenure, the restaurant earned three-AA-rosettes.

Welburn left the restaurant in February, having hinted at plans to pursue new challenges in Cornwall.

In a post on Instagram this week, the chef confirmed he will be launching Fern, a restaurant in Nanstallon serving seasonal dishes.

Welburn said: “Pleased to announce I will be beginning the journey of opening Fern, a new restaurant in Nanstallon, as exec chef. Looking forward to building a team and launching this venture in the autumn and bringing my food to Cornwall.

“The site will evolve as the team builds – we have a long term vision for the place but like all new openings, finding the right team members and creating a great energy and work environment and balance is key to a successful operation.”

Welburn was formerly executive chef at the Oxford Kitchen in Summertown, Oxford, and head chef of the now-closed Rhodes W1 at the Cumberland hotel in London, where for five years he ensured it retained a Michelin star.

The Oxford Kitchen also won a star in 2018, which it kept until it rebranded as 215 Kitchen & Drinks during the pandemic.