R.NEIGHBOURHOOD:
Fees Deli
Our R.Neighbourhood series continues, and this time we headed to the beautiful village of Rock, Cornwall, to visit the wonderful team at Fee's Deli - and, of course, Fee herself.
If you're new to R.Neighbourhood, it's our photography series celebrating the community around us: the people, their stories, and how their individual style comes together with an R.PLACE look.
This time, the Fee's team showcase some of our latest arrivals in womenswear, styling pieces from Bellerose, Damson Madder, and more with their own flair. It's a celebration of great style, inspiring people, and the independent businesses that make our neighbourhoods so special.
Whilst we were at Fee's, Grace sat down with Fee to chat about the business, her personal style, and the inspiration behind it all….
When was Fee's food established?
Fee’s started in Cornwall in 2000.
What inspired you to start Fees Food, and was there a moment when you knew it would become a successful business?
I’d worked full time in London just before our first 3 were born, and because I was self-employed - and Charlie was recovering from major back surgery- I went back to work very quickly. When we moved to Cornwall, I wanted to spend as much time as possible being a mum.
Someone dug me out of the woodwork, and I needed to earn some money, and so the business started slowly and then seemed to take off. Weddings, parties, dinners, and holiday meals. No deli, nor restaurant.
Looking back, in the early days of the business, what were the biggest challenges?
The biggest challenge was always juggling four young boys and work. My car became a fixture on Polzeath beach after school: kids, dogs, tea for the boys, paperwork whilst they surfed, played golf, whatever it was they had on… that was a challenge but also fulfilling.
Are there any secret family recipes that have been passed down to the four boys? Or are you not allowed?
No recipe is secret! They've all been shared over the years. Give the same recipe to 12 different people, and you'll end up with 12 different versions. A good roast chicken or a bowl of mussels has always been a family favourite, but I hope the most important recipe they've taken with them is the recipe for life: one full of love, good people, good food, kindness and a strong work ethic.
What's one ingredient you couldn't imagine cooking without?
Ingredient…. Tricky… Lemons, sea salt, olive oil!
What does ‘good food’ mean to you beyond just the taste?
Good food has to be well-sourced, food with a good provenance. The whole business really tries to support growers/producers striving to do the right thing for us all. You can’t make good food with second-class ingredients.
What's the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Best bit of advice… maybe...’ If you are going to do a job, do a proper job, full on heart and soul.’
If you could cook a meal for anyone, living or dead, who would it be and what would you serve?
Cooking for friends is the greatest pleasure; it’s hard to pick one meal or any one person. We had a big party a few years ago with all the boys and some of their friends and lots of ours; we all squeezed into far too small a marquee but had such a memorable time. Lots of great people, good and plentiful drinks, more colour, great food… and a good band; it’s hard not to have a lot of fun.
In the winter, I would do a hearty shin and pearl barley slow-cooked casserole, a bottle of good red wine; in the summer, sardines on the barbecue. Some great cheese and a pudding for Charlie. The food is so important, but it is only one part of hospitality; hospitality is nothing without the people.
Have you ever experienced a fashion crisis at one of the weddings you have catered for?
Fashion crisis! Hilariously, once two girls were wearing the same dress; one definitely looked a lot better, but I guess that was her fashion crisis.
You're a very stylish person, where do you take your inspiration from?
Stylish? That is very generous. I really don’t know where the inspo comes from. I never take a moment to think about it… I just grab what I feel like wearing and then look to see if I feel happy, not awkward! I love charity shops, but I do very little shopping,
I am terrible at shopping; I get bored very quickly. I guess it is an extension of yourself, and when you feel happy it’s what you wear that makes a difference without a doubt.
What would you say your personal style is?
Personal style… heavens, I really don’t know what I would say that is.
Chaotic maybe; definitely instinctive. I love colour, pattern, texture… love it!! Our house and garden are full of both. I wear what feels right, and if I feel happy in it, that's all that matters.
What excites you most about the future of Fee’s?
The future is really exciting. I am so fortunate that George has taken on the mantle. He is doing an incredible job, way better than I would have done. I worked; he runs a business as it should be run. I have to pinch myself walking into Four Boys, seeing so many people having such a fabulous time in that incredible spot.I just wish my mum had lived to see it; it was exactly what she always said was missing around here.
Hal and Alfie are both working there this summer. Charlie, my husband, is always around helping fix something, build another piece of amazing furniture, and Mark is never far away eating and drinking at Fee’s or the restaurant.
When people leave Fees, what do you hope they remember - not just the food but the experience?.
I am often stopped by lovely people telling me how much the deli and restaurant have enhanced their holiday and how lovely all the staff are. I love that a lot of locals come and use the deli all year round. I hope everyone just feels a little happier for having sat there for a moment.
A huge thank you to Fee and the wonderful team at the deli for being part of the R.Neighbourhood project.
We had so much fun capturing these moments and sitting down with Fee to hear the story behind the business- from the beginning to the community it has become today.
We can't wait to see what's next for Fee's.
Tell us who you’d like to capture next…
R.PLACE Team x
R.Neighbourhood | Fees Deli
R.NEIGHBOURHOOD:
Fees Deli
Our R.Neighbourhood series continues, and this time we headed to the beautiful village of Rock, Cornwall, to visit the wonderful team at Fee's Deli - and, of course, Fee herself.
If you're new to R.Neighbourhood, it's our photography series celebrating the community around us: the people, their stories, and how their individual style comes together with an R.PLACE look.
This time, the Fee's team showcase some of our latest arrivals in womenswear, styling pieces from Bellerose, Damson Madder, and more with their own flair. It's a celebration of great style, inspiring people, and the independent businesses that make our neighbourhoods so special.
Whilst we were at Fee's, Grace sat down with Fee to chat about the business, her personal style, and the inspiration behind it all….
When was Fee's food established?
Fee’s started in Cornwall in 2000.
What inspired you to start Fees Food, and was there a moment when you knew it would become a successful business?
I’d worked full time in London just before our first 3 were born, and because I was self-employed - and Charlie was recovering from major back surgery- I went back to work very quickly. When we moved to Cornwall, I wanted to spend as much time as possible being a mum.
Someone dug me out of the woodwork, and I needed to earn some money, and so the business started slowly and then seemed to take off. Weddings, parties, dinners, and holiday meals. No deli, nor restaurant.
Looking back, in the early days of the business, what were the biggest challenges?
The biggest challenge was always juggling four young boys and work. My car became a fixture on Polzeath beach after school: kids, dogs, tea for the boys, paperwork whilst they surfed, played golf, whatever it was they had on… that was a challenge but also fulfilling.
Are there any secret family recipes that have been passed down to the four boys? Or are you not allowed?
No recipe is secret! They've all been shared over the years. Give the same recipe to 12 different people, and you'll end up with 12 different versions. A good roast chicken or a bowl of mussels has always been a family favourite, but I hope the most important recipe they've taken with them is the recipe for life: one full of love, good people, good food, kindness and a strong work ethic.
What's one ingredient you couldn't imagine cooking without?
Ingredient…. Tricky… Lemons, sea salt, olive oil!
What does ‘good food’ mean to you beyond just the taste?
Good food has to be well-sourced, food with a good provenance. The whole business really tries to support growers/producers striving to do the right thing for us all. You can’t make good food with second-class ingredients.
What's the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Best bit of advice… maybe...’ If you are going to do a job, do a proper job, full on heart and soul.’
If you could cook a meal for anyone, living or dead, who would it be and what would you serve?
Cooking for friends is the greatest pleasure; it’s hard to pick one meal or any one person. We had a big party a few years ago with all the boys and some of their friends and lots of ours; we all squeezed into far too small a marquee but had such a memorable time. Lots of great people, good and plentiful drinks, more colour, great food… and a good band; it’s hard not to have a lot of fun.
In the winter, I would do a hearty shin and pearl barley slow-cooked casserole, a bottle of good red wine; in the summer, sardines on the barbecue. Some great cheese and a pudding for Charlie. The food is so important, but it is only one part of hospitality; hospitality is nothing without the people.
Fashion crisis! Hilariously, once two girls were wearing the same dress; one definitely looked a lot better, but I guess that was her fashion crisis.
You're a very stylish person, where do you take your inspiration from?
Stylish? That is very generous. I really don’t know where the inspo comes from. I never take a moment to think about it… I just grab what I feel like wearing and then look to see if I feel happy, not awkward! I love charity shops, but I do very little shopping,
I am terrible at shopping; I get bored very quickly. I guess it is an extension of yourself, and when you feel happy it’s what you wear that makes a difference without a doubt.
What would you say your personal style is?
Personal style… heavens, I really don’t know what I would say that is.
Chaotic maybe; definitely instinctive. I love colour, pattern, texture… love it!! Our house and garden are full of both. I wear what feels right, and if I feel happy in it, that's all that matters.
What excites you most about the future of Fee’s?
The future is really exciting. I am so fortunate that George has taken on the mantle. He is doing an incredible job, way better than I would have done. I worked; he runs a business as it should be run. I have to pinch myself walking into Four Boys, seeing so many people having such a fabulous time in that incredible spot.I just wish my mum had lived to see it; it was exactly what she always said was missing around here.
Hal and Alfie are both working there this summer. Charlie, my husband, is always around helping fix something, build another piece of amazing furniture, and Mark is never far away eating and drinking at Fee’s or the restaurant.
When people leave Fees, what do you hope they remember - not just the food but the experience?.
I am often stopped by lovely people telling me how much the deli and restaurant have enhanced their holiday and how lovely all the staff are. I love that a lot of locals come and use the deli all year round. I hope everyone just feels a little happier for having sat there for a moment.
A huge thank you to Fee and the wonderful team at the deli for being part of the R.Neighbourhood project.
We had so much fun capturing these moments and sitting down with Fee to hear the story behind the business- from the beginning to the community it has become today.
We can't wait to see what's next for Fee's.
Tell us who you’d like to capture next…
R.PLACE Team x