The Chef Who Left Gordon Ramsay and Built an Empire in Cornwall | Paul Ainsworth

Paul Ainsworth built one of the UK's most respected independent restaurant collections from scratch, in Cornwall, starting with sandwiches and cream teas.In this episode, Paul talks about growing up in a guesthouse, working six years under Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road (and being there for the third Michelin star), what Gary Rhodes taught him about precision, and the moment he got thrown off service on his first day.He also gets honest about the new St Endoc Hotel project, remortgaging his home, the pressure of the biggest financial bet of his life, and why he believes in it completely.Topics covered:— Growing up in hospitality: guesthouse to Gordon Ramsay— Ego, failure, and starting at the bottom (even when you're good)— What great leadership actually looks like— Building in Cornwall when everyone said don't— The business fundamentals no one teaches chef-led operators— The St Endoc project: risk, vision, and legacy— People sustainability vs green sustainability— Why the greatest leaders are the best listeners📍 Recorded at The Mariners, Rock, Cornwall, one of Paul's venues.0:00 Introduction: The biggest project of Paul's life1:18 How 2026 has been: stress, stakes, and the new project3:43 Growing up in a guesthouse, hospitality as home6:00 Building a mini workforce at age 109:50 School wasn't the place for him and what he had instead12:25 The one asset he carried out of school14:00 First kitchen job16:36 Gary Rhodes: the less-is-more lesson that changed everything18:18 Walking into Royal Hospital Road19:17 The night Gordon Ramsay won his third Michelin star25:18 Why the best leaders listen and how to spot those who don't37:57 Thrown off service on day one!45:00 Surrounding yourself with people better than you50:00 Hospitality's hours culture: what changed and what can't55:32 At the crossroads: never giving up vs. knowing when to pivot1:05:23 You don't realise growth until after you've left1:17:22 Great British Menu 1:20:39 Never mistake kindness for weakness1:42:28 The St Endoc Hotel1:53:33 What it takesFollow Olly: https://www.instagram.com/olly.303/https://www.tiktok.com/@ollyfawcett303?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pchttps://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-fawcett-668566177/Get frequent behind the scenes updates from Olly: https://whatittakes.kit.com/51cd36dc35Follow Paul:https://www.instagram.com/paulainsw6rth/?hl=en