Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay recently made an unannounced visit to the newly opened Sula Brunch House in Gweek Boatyard, near Helston, Cornwall, leaving the cafe owners pleasantly surprised. Known for his straightforward critiques, Ramsay showed a more supportive side during his stop at the cafe just two days after its grand opening.
Laura Rickard and Sean White, who run the cafe and also serve as its chefs, shared that the 58-year-old food personality expressed genuine approval of many of their dishes and drinks. Encouraged by his visit, they revealed that Ramsay has even planned to return when the full menu debuts.
The cafe’s Instagram post captured the moment with a happy photo of Ramsay alongside the owners and staff. The caption shared: “Gordon himself dropped by, said ‘Wow’ on his way in, and told us we’re crushing it! He’s even planning to come back for brunch when our full menu is ready.”
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While the full menu is still in development, the cafe currently offers coffee, cake, pastries, smoothies, and toasties — all of which received Ramsay’s thumbs-up.
Their followers poured into the comments to congratulate the team, with responses like “Wow! The best word to describe it. You guys deserve this,” and “That’s amazing, love this for you guys. It looks incredible,” highlighting the excitement surrounding the visit.
Ramsay has a history of supporting small food businesses in Cornwall, often praising local dining spots such as Four Boys Cafe, Rock, Onda, Salt Box, and Taco Boys. His personal connection with Cornwall runs deep; he and his family own a renovated beachside retreat in Rock, purchased in 2015.
However, despite his admiration for the region, Ramsay has previously expressed critical remarks about some locals. In an interview on BBC Radio 2 with Vernon Kay, he remarked, “Trust me I absolutely love Cornwall, it’s just the Cornish I can’t stand.”
These comments appeared in the aftermath of backlash he faced when isolating at his Cornwall home during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Ramsay later defended his decision in Radio Times, saying, “God knows why we took so much s**t from the Cornish. We lived down there; we just hadn’t been down there for a long time. We didn’t sneak down there at all. We got there at an appropriate time, and had an absolutely amazing time.”
Despite any controversies, this recent visit highlights Ramsay’s continued encouragement of small businesses and his appreciation for quality food made with passion.