Carbis Bay’s food family
A short walk from the beach at Carbis Bay is Yvette’s Pantry, a much-loved community favourite for healthy meals and tempting treats. We called in to sample its family ethos and menu…
Just after opening, Yvette Robinson Flood is putting the finishing touches to one of her speciality vegetarian dishes.
“It’s a vegetarian pie. The pastry is organic, wholemeal pastry. It’s got lots of lentils and sweet potatoes and vegetables and nutritional yeast. So, you’re getting all your vitamins and you’re getting these proteins. So, a meal in one dish,” she tells us.
Starting her catering career age 14 in Essex, Yvette received her chef training from an Italian chef at a French restaurant before developing her food knowledge by studying nutrition.
She opened Yvette’s Pantry two and a half years ago, after raising and cooking for her family and a long career in other people’s kitchens. “I wanted to do something for myself,” she says.
“I have a kettle that my mum gave to me, 20 years ago. And she said, if you ever get a coffee shop, put it in there.”
“If you’re dressed for the weather, you can do anything. There’s nothing nicer than walking on the beach, actually, in the rain, in a big pair of wellies. And you can actually hear the birds.”
A FAMILY FEEL
Describing herself as a “healthy cook”, Yvette’s Pantry isn’t just home to delicious pies, quiches, lasagnes and salads, there’s sweet treats on offer too – all perfect for a coast-path picnic.
“The healthy options are mine; the naughty, naughties are my daughter’s. She’s a pastry chef, Amber, @amberscakery,” says Yvette.
The tray of Amber’s cinnamon buns is half empty, half an hour after opening, indicating how popular this side of the pantry is too.
And the family feel goes further: to the local suppliers that fill the shelves – fresh bread from Aslan’s Bakery and coffee cups from local potter Jo Riley @growingandthrowing – and the regular customers that come in for meals, coffee and conversation.
“All my customers are regulars,” says Yvette. “Sometimes they come in because they want to vent or just because they’re upset and want to talk to somebody. And it’s really lovely: I’m cooking and they’re chatting, having a coffee and then somebody else will come in and someone will join them.”
SECRET SEASON SUPPLIES
For Yvette, this season by the sea is all about enjoying the quiet, whatever the weather.
“If you’re dressed for the weather, you can do anything. There’s nothing nicer than walking on the beach, actually, in the rain, in a big pair of wellies.
“And you can actually hear the birds. I was walking my dog past the woods near the cemetery and there were woodpeckers everywhere. You could hear them and see them. I just stood there and took it in.”
She describes the walk from Carbis Bay to St Ives as “the best walk in the world” and recommends visiting the Tate St Ives art gallery and Barbara Hepworth’s garden in town. Her other recommended walk heads further west.
“I always say, go to Zennor. You can walk or get the bus back to town; either way it’s a lovely walk.”
And while the Pantry can cater for a light breakfast, a nutritious vegetarian and vegan lunch or take-away dinner, for something different (with meat on the menu) she suggests visitors try Romano’s trattoria around the corner.
Stock up and head for the coast path at Carbis Bay to find your secret reason to be by the sea during the winter months.
