St Austell Brewery is delighted to announce that acclaimed chef and TV personality Rick Stein is to become the landlord of his local St Austell Brewery pub, the Cornish Arms at St Merryn.

Part of the independent Cornish brewer's 169 strong estate since 1926, the Cornish Arms is a popular country village local in St Merryn, just two miles from the fishing village of Padstow where Rick has established his successful stable of restaurant and food businesses.

Rick and Jill Stein have agreed a 15 year lease with St Austell Brewery who will continue to supply the pub's bar and cask ales.

Adam Luck, St Austell Brewery Estate Director, said: "The Brewery is very proud of the Cornish Arms and we are delighted to work with Rick Stein in this traditional Cornish inn.

"Good food is an ever more important part of any pub's success and it is wonderful news that top chefs are choosing to operate good quality pubs in addition to restaurants and bistros. With Rick's name above the door, we can be sure the Cornish Arms is in good hands."

Rick Stein is the latest top chef to take on the tenancy of a St Austell Brewery pub after former Michelin starred Paul Ripley, who spent more than ten years as Rick's head chef, took up the reins at the St Kew Inn, near Wadebridge in October 2008.

Rick Stein said: "The Cornish Arms is a truly special pub which has been my local for many years so I'm very excited to have agreed the lease with St Austell Brewery. This pub has long played a vital part in St Merryn village life and I'm determined that the Cornish Arms maintains this role.

"Rather than create a "gastro-pub" or restaurant, we'll work with St Austell Brewery and with the pub's customers to ensure the Cornish Arms stays a welcoming, traditional community pub - which also happens to serve excellent pub food."