At Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, we are incredibly proud of the Kitchen and Shop as they celebrate 10 wonderful years. Both spaces bring something special to the gardens, the Kitchen with its warmth, hospitality, and seasonal, locally sourced food, and the Shop with its carefully curated selection of local art, and gifts that reflect the beauty and creativity of our surroundings. Together, they make the gardens not just a place to visit, but a place to feel at home, to connect, and to celebrate the very best of Cornish food, craft, and community.
We spoke with Jo Knight and Ali Bassett to hear their reflections on 10 years of running Tremenheere Kitchen and Shop, and the journey that brought them here.
Jo, what was your original vision for Tremenheere Kitchen when you opened?
We opened Tremenheere Kitchen to invite people into our world of hospitality. With decades of experience between the four founders, it was the right time for all of us, and the perfect place to express our passion for food and service.
The idea of farm to fork was at the heart of everything we set out to do. With an abundance of fresh seafood, local growers and dairy farms on our doorstep, it was easy to source the most delicious ingredients for our simple yet special menu.
From homemade cakes and barista coffee to breakfast, lunch and dinner, we wanted to create a neighbourhood venue where everyone feels at home, a place where locals feel like family and visitors instantly belong.
With our book swap, deli shelf and beautiful local flowers, we hope every guest feels like they’ve stepped into a home from home.
How has the Kitchen evolved over the past 10 years?
Over the past ten years, Tremenheere Kitchen has stayed true to its focus on seasonal produce, sourced sustainably and prepared with love (and a little twist on the classics to delight your taste buds).
Our menu remains small, with Vegan, Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free options always front of mind. We believe vegan food should be vibrant and full of flavour, so we carefully consider every dish before finalising the menu each season.
Weddings, birthdays, music nights and Christmas celebrations are the moments we get super excited about. There’s always something special on the calendar, and we feel so lucky to have been part of so many couples’ big day over the years.
Tremenheere really sparkles at night, and it’s those private parties and evening events that feel especially magical.
What excites you most about the next chapter for the Kitchen?
We’ve been so lucky to have extra help with our herb garden this year, and it’s been fruitful to say the least! Our chefs are already planning additions for early spring, with edible flowers and soft herbs set to feature in many of their dishes.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to host even more evening events and enjoy live music in the restaurant. With such stunning views and gorgeous surroundings, it feels right to invite people to share the magic with us!
Of course, our everyday daytime offering will be available, and after ten years it goes without saying that this will be filled with care, love and a very warm welcome to everyone who visits. I am blessed with a team that shares the desire to offer attentive service, excellent food, and a calm and happy vibe. So so lucky and extremely proud.
Ali, what inspired you to open The Shop at Tremenheere 10 years ago?
I didn’t really plan to take on the shop 10 years ago; it was just an opportunity that came about. I was working for the on-site gallery, which really needed to become a shop. When I was given the reins, it was exciting to curate a space that could be what Tremenheere needed, and a chance to reflect the beauty of this special place.
There are so many great artists and makers in the area, and the space allows us to showcase really high-quality work, from paintings and ceramics to books, cards and small gifts. Tremenheere just deserved more than keyrings and fridge magnets.
How do you choose the makers and products that fill the shop?
We get far more people applying to sell with us than we can ever give space to, so we have to be carefully selective. Although there are no real guidelines (we’d hate to miss out on anything perfect), we do know what we’re looking for. We generally stay pretty local, so we’re not shipping too far.
We tend to steer away from seascapes, yellow and blue galleries are everywhere in Cornwall, and instead focus on botanicals and folk work, which better reflects our surroundings.
Plastic-free is another important focus, as we’re in Penzance. Even the children’s products are mainly wood, paper, and fabric.
Looking back, what’s been a highlight(s) or proudest moment from the past decade?
The shop has evolved a lot over 10 years and weathered some challenging times, from long winters to the long Covid years. So I guess it feels like a proud time to make 10 years!
Tentatively coming out of Covid, Marianne joined us with fresh eyes and ideas, and it’s been wonderful to bounce ideas around with someone else. That’s how Wishlist, our own Christmas fayre, came about. Tremenheere is beautiful in the winter, so it’s lovely to welcome visitors at that time of year.
Now in its fourth year, Wishlist has gone from strength to strength, and with more ideas in the pipeline, we hope to continue thriving.
Ten Years On…
Celebrating a decade of Tremenheere Kitchen and Shop is about more than milestones; it’s about the energy, creativity, and community they bring to the gardens every day. From the aroma of seasonal dishes and fresh herbs to the curated artistry and thoughtful gifts in the shop, these spaces make the gardens richer, warmer, and more inviting. We’re proud of everything they’ve achieved over the past ten years, and excited for the magic that’s still to come.
To mark this special milestone, we can’t wait to celebrate 10 amazing years of Tremenheere Kitchen and Shop this October! Come for the day and enjoy homemade garden games, live music, hotdogs, treats, and 10% off in the Kitchen and Shop, soaking up the autumnal atmosphere with family and friends.
As evening falls, the party continues with a ‘Cooked on the Coals’ Feast Night (book here) – a 3-course banquet of seasonal dishes cooked over coals, accompanied by a welcome drink, live local folk music, roaring fires, dancing, and plenty of birthday cheer. It’s a way of saying thank you to everyone who has made this decade so special, and we can’t wait to share the laughter, music, and magic with you!
Cooked on the Coals’ Feast Night can be booked here