Meet the Head Chef: James Lean, Port Gaverne Hotel

Since 2014, there’s been huge investment in the kitchen at the Port Gaverne Hotel. A full refit with all the latest mod cons to get the most out of the incredible produce on our doorstep and off Cornwall’s shores. None of which matters unless you have an inspirational Head Chef at the helm.

James Lean joined us in 2015 from Nathan Outlaw’s 1 Michelin Star Fish Kitchen, where he was Head Chef for two years. His career has seen him work for some of the world’s best-known chefs, including Angela Hartnett overseeing a team of 100 chefs for the 2012 Olympics menu, and as Senior Sous Chef at Gordon Ramsay’s York & Albany. He’s a hand’s-on chef, building a team of like-minded people who, put simply, love what they do. As he says. ‘If they don’t, why should you?’ We hope you enjoy our seasonal menus at The Port Gaverne Hotel. If you do, tell others what you think on Trip Advisor. If you don’t, for any reason, tell us immediately and we’ll put it right straight away.

Action Chef Gallery

Ask anyone who’s met James, and they’ll tell you he has an uncanny resemblance to Action Man, as these rare photos of him testify…

Levitation? Driving backwards? No problem for the small man with a big attitude.
A well-deserved break after a day rustling up half a jar of pork scratchings
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Our cooking at the Port Gaverne is an expression of the season. The riches to be found in our local area provide us with ingredients of such quality to our kitchen door that it makes every day an excitement for the team. We create menus of classic dishes with unique elements that elevate them to something memorable. Our focus is to showcase the quality of Cornwall’s produce, while always going for no-ego elegant simplicity. And always enough food on the plate to fuel your journey home (or upstairs to bed). We’re a pub, after all.

~ James Lean, Head Chef, Port Gaverne Hotel