CHIT-CHAT-EAU Episode No. 12: Charlie Newsome, Restaurant Manager and Writer
Welcome to CHIT-CHAT-EAU: Chateau Orlando's series of interviews hosted by our Co-Founder and Creative Director Luke Edward Hall.
Our twelfth guest is Charlie Newsome. A writer and manager of St Eia, a restaurant, wine bar and bottle shop in St Ives, Cornwall, Charlie wears the Chateau Orlando Fisherman's Jumper in our latest Kernow collection campaign. Luke met Charlie at St Eia, a favourite destination for him when he's in West Penwith, a few summers ago. He caught up with Charlie after the recent shoot and asked him a few questions about this magical region of Cornwall, and more specifically, where to eat, and what to drink.
Charlie, when and how did you end up in West Penwith?
I was eighteen, four years ago now, planning on surfing and having a Cornish summer before university. Ended up falling in love with West Penwith and wine and my work, and so I stayed. I spent some brief time in London but always found myself back here.
Describe your perfect day here.
Up early, surf if there are waves. Coffee in the sun somewhere after. Long lunch in Newlyn harbour at Argoe. Then head over to the beach, Porthmeor maybe, bottle of wine. Lots of friends and sun, fire on the beach, cook some scallops. Finish the day there, as much time outside as possible.
Your favourite places to eat?
Argoe has to be in there, some of the best seafood in the world, cooked and landed in Newlyn by amazing people in an amazing place. Not much beats that. Though Flora at New Yard is also incredible, Tim is an amazing chef and it’s a beautiful place to go eat. It would be silly not to mention St Eia, sat in the courtyard; great food, even better wine! Outside of Cornwall, I often seem to find myself at Kiln, always brilliant. Camille, Brat, Brawn are some other honourable mentions!
What are you reading at the moment?
Kafka on the Shore by Murakami, I love his writing style and his breadth of knowledge has always fascinated me.
A secret spot - somewhere you escape to on a busy August day?
Definitely over at Rinsey Cove out near Porthleven, head for a little scramble over the rocks and you won’t see a soul! I always manage to find somewhere out of the wind too, so important in Cornwall!
What wines are you into right now?
I love anything a bit weird and out there; Alexandre Bain in the Loire is making some great oxidative and uncharacteristic Sauvignon blanc. Anything from the Jura and a little smoky. I was also fascinated by Ben Adams' new wines from Emile Field, a fantastic example of low intervention English wines!
Do you have a favourite food memory - a meal that particularly sticks in your mind?
I’m incredibly lucky that I have so many! I had some great meals in the Basque Country last year; nothing fancy just great cooking and with my best mate bar hopping. We also grilled scallops and leeks on the beach at Sennen last June, that was pretty special. A lunch that I remember the most may have to be Los 33 in Madrid, we sat at the bar, had a bunch of cañas and exceptional food. Saying that, many more meals pop into my mind! They are all very unique and special to me in their own ways I suppose. They usually revolve around who I’m with rather than the meal itself.
Name a country you haven't been to that you'd like to visit, and tell us why.
At the top of my list is definitely Mexico, it looks incredibly beautiful, tonnes of history, culture, art and fantastic food and drink. I think a little road trip would be fun, so much to experience!
Your last supper on Earth?
Probably a huge feast with a load of my friends, outside late evening, lovely and warm. Not too fussed what we eat as long as there is a tarte tatin and plenty of Chartreuse!
