Drawing on his own journey, from a young chef learning his craft under mentors Gary Rhodes, Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, to the businessman, restaurateur and hotelier he is today, Paul uses our ‘Recipe for Life’ to nurture the team and offer guidance to anyone aspiring to build a career in hospitality.
At The Ainsworth Collection, we strive every day to be the best we can be, constantly seeking ways to improve and deliver the finest possible experience for our guests.
After seven years in London honing my craft, I was given the opportunity, along with four friends, to work as head chef for a restaurant called No6 in the Cornish town of Padstow.
I instantly fell in love with Cornwall and Padstow, making this an exciting new challenge. It was during this time that I began to understand what it takes to run a business, learning continuously along the way. After three years, my wife Emma and I took over, launching Paul Ainsworth at No6.
2011 saw our next big adventure. Beginning life in 1905, our eighteenth century building was first home to Tonkin Bootmakers, local craftsmen who created hand-sewn boots for Padstow’s fishermen. Rojano’s was born in 1974, thanks to local businessman Stanley Rojano.
A larger than life character, Stan put his own traditional dishes on the menu, sharing his family favourites with locals – who just couldn’t get enough of his hearty Italian and Spanish cooking. We’re proud to continue Stan’s legacy in our family-run environment delivering house-made pasta and pizza, meat and fish cooked over fire, and Mediterranean-inspired small plates to share.
It was always a dream for Emma and I to be able to offer somewhere for our customers to stay. Padstow Townhouse allows our guests to extend their experience with us that little bit longer.
When we took over the property in June 2014 it was in great need of tender loving care. Once we were granted listed building consent and planning, it took us 16 months to turn this 18th century building into six beautiful suites, each uniquely styled.
Emma and interior designer friend Eve Cullen-Cornes worked incredibly hard together designing each room individually for our guests’ enjoyment.
In 2017, we created Ci Ci’s Bar, a cocktail and pintxos lounge named after our eldest daughter Ci Ci. We wanted to create a relaxing place for guests to be able to extend their stay. This is a space where our guests enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink, our cocktail menu, their favourite drinks, and fine wines carefully designed by our sommelier team.
Ci Ci’s is perfect for a visit anytime, without dining in the restaurant. Guests can relax over their favourite, hand-mixed drink, and graze on a menu of pintxos specially made by our No6 chefs. We wanted to create a place in No6 that offered relaxed, hand-mixed drinks and light dining, in a stylish and welcoming setting.
When the chance came in early 2019 to take over The Mariners, Emma and I knew straight away it was too good to miss. A Rock institution since the 1990s, we were thrilled to become part of its rich history and continue our partnership with Cornwall’s Sharp’s brewery.
Emma and Eve, with Richard Wilson from Concorde BGW, began a three-month refurbishment that breathed new life into this Cornish gem, creating a welcoming pub for locals and visitors alike.
The Mariners’ menu features British pub classics, elevated with seasonal Cornish produce and creative flair. For me, the inspiration comes from childhood pub visits with family and friends, sparking a lifelong love of the warmth, character, and honest food that define great pubs.
In January 2025, we were thrilled to become the new owners and custodians of The St Enodoc Hotel in Rock, Cornwall—a place we’ve long admired for its charm, stunning views, and rich history. Perched above the Camel Estuary, this beautiful hotel has been a beloved part of the local community, and we are excited to start a new chapter and continue the legacy. This is our biggest project to date, and we’re pouring our hearts into every detail. Exciting developments are coming soon, and we can’t wait to share what’s ahead.
