Paul and Emma Ainsworth with John Walton are to launch Mahé, their new cookery school and chef’s table opening this May.
Adjoining Paul Ainsworth at No.6, Mahé will provide an elegant, intimate space in which guests can discover how to create stunning dishes or enjoy a personal and unique experience at the chef’s table.
Named after an island in the Seychelles, Mahé takes its name from the location where Paul’s parents first met. Paul’s father discovered the beautiful island in 1976 having moved there with his work. It was during this time he first encountered Paul’s mother and instantly knew this was the beginning of something special.
Mahé will reflect Paul and Emma Ainsworth’s ethos surrounding ‘beginnings’, not only encapsulating Paul’s heritage and strong family ties to the island but also the fundamentals of cooking, showcasing the best produce Cornwall has to offer.
Paul commented, ‘It has been John, Emma and my dream to open our own cookery school for some time now, and we are incredibly proud to finally be able to talk about Mahé. We thought long and hard about a name that would suit its origins. Quite rightly, Emma said it should resonate with beginnings, and my parents meeting on an island in the Indian Ocean was the very start of their journey.
'Our guests at Mahé will witness the creation of dishes from the very start to finish by long-time colleague and friend, John Walton. The three of us are so excited to welcome our first students in May.’
During the day, Mahé will be a cookery school hosting six people in which students will learn to build their skill set and create their own delicious dishes to take home. Mahé’s classes will be completely tailored to the guests and expertly taught by Michelin-starred chef John Walton, who has been the head chef at Paul Ainsworth at No.6 since its opening in 2009. Courses will be completely tailored to each guest and priced from £250 per person including breakfast, a behind-the-scenes tour, lunch in No.6’s private room and a goody bag.
In the evening, Mahé will host up to ten diners for an intimate chef’s table experience where guests can take a seat in the heart of the kitchen and watch the action unfold. John and the team will create and serve a bespoke menu of world-class dishes whilst offering creative insight and thoughtful explanations throughout the night. Guests can even request a personalised music playlist to accompany their meal.
The cookery school will operate from Thursday to Saturday, with the chef’s table available to book Wednesday to Saturday.
The interiors are being led by designer Eve Cullen-Cornes and Emma Ainsworth to create an intimate space featuring carefully selected antiques and custom-made furnishings.