Paul Ainsworth Net Worth In 2026, Michelin & Career
Paul Ainsworth leads a Michelin-starred Cornwall group. See verified details on his restaurants, awards, and confirmed income sources in 2026.
Author:James RowleyOct 25, 2025747 Shares67.9K Views
Paul Ainsworth was born in Southampton, England, in 1979. He grew up in a close family, where his parents ran guest houses and restaurants, which helped him develop a love for food from an early age. His father was from London, and his mother was from Mauritius, giving him a mix of British and Mauritian cultural influences. Paul attended Southampton City College, where he studied hospitality and catering, learning the basic skills that shaped his understanding of food and cooking.
| Category | Verified Details |
| Full Name | Paul Ainsworth |
| Year of Birth | 1979 |
| Birthplace | Southampton, England |
| Heritage | British father; Mauritian mother |
| Education | Hospitality & Catering, Southampton City College |
| Profession | Chef-patron, restaurateur |
| Signature Restaurant | Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 (Padstow) |
| Michelin Star | Awarded in 2013 (retained to present) |
| AA Recognition | Four AA Rosettes (Number 6) |
| Major Award | GQ Best Chef (2018) |
| Cateys Awards | Chef Award & Independent Restaurateur (2019) |
| Hospitality Group | Founder of The Ainsworth Collection |
| Key Venues | Caffè Rojano, The Mariners, Padstow Townhouse |
| Hotel Expansion | Acquired St Enodoc Hotel (2025) |
| Net Worth (2026) | Not publicly disclosed |
Paul Ainsworth: British Chef-Patron And Restaurateur
Paul Ainsworth is a British chef-patron renowned for his Michelin-starred restaurant and culinary group in Cornwall. After professional training in Southampton, he built his reputation in London’s fine-dining kitchens.
In the mid-2000s Ainsworth moved to Padstow, Cornwall, where he co-founded the restaurant Number 6(later renamed Paul Ainsworth at Number 6). Over the next decade he expanded his business portfolio across Cornwall, adding an Italian brasserie, a boutique guesthouse, a pub and a cookery school to form the Ainsworth Collection.
Throughout his career Ainsworth has received major industry honors, including a Michelin star in 2013, and is widely respected for championing local Cornish produce. He remains Chef-Patron of all his venues and an influential figure in British gastronomy.
Early Culinary Training & Mentorship Under Top Chefs
Ainsworth’s formal training began at Southampton City College, where he studied catering and hospitality. While still a student he secured his first kitchen job with chef Gary Rhodes.
In 1998 Ainsworth joined Rhodes’s restaurant Rhodes in the Square(Pimlico, London), then a two-Michelin-starred establishment. Working under Rhodes provided Ainsworth with a rigorous foundation in classic British techniques and the importance of high-quality ingredients.
After two years with Rhodes, Ainsworth moved on to work for Gordon Ramsay.
Professional Development With Gary Rhodes, Gordon Ramsay & Marcus Wareing
Building on his early experience, Ainsworth spent three years at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea. As part of Ramsay’s brigade, he trained under a famously exacting regime and contributed to a team that upheld the restaurant’s three Michelin-star status.
In 2003 Ainsworth then joined Marcus Wareing at the new Pétrusrestaurant (Belgravia, London) and followed Wareing to The Berkeleyhotel later that year. At Pétrusand The Berkeleyhe honed modern French and global techniques in a high-pressure fine-dining environment.
These combined experiences under Rhodes, Ramsay and Wareing, three of Britain’s most respected chefs, profoundly shaped Ainsworth’s culinary style and management approach.
Founder Of Paul Ainsworth At Number 6: Michelin-Star Achievement (2013)
In 2006 Ainsworth left London and moved to Padstow in Cornwall to launch a new restaurant. He co-founded Number 6, a small dining room in an 18th-century townhouse, together with two business partners.
Number 6 focused on modern British cuisine built around the region’s seasonal produce. After three years at the helm, Ainsworth and his wife Emma took sole ownership in 2009 and rebranded the venue Paul Ainsworth at Number 6.
Under his leadership the restaurant’s reputation grew quickly. In the 2013 Michelin Guide Paul Ainsworth at Number 6was awarded one Michelin star.
The star reflected Ainsworth’s skill at blending Cornish ingredients with refined classical technique. The restaurant also earned its fourth AA Rosette by 2016, recognizing its high standards of cooking.
The Michelin star has been retained by Number 6 in each year since 2013, confirming the restaurant’s consistency and Ainsworth’s stature as a chef.
Expansion Of Ainsworth Culinary Group In Cornwall
After the success of Number 6, Ainsworth and his wife embarked on a series of new projects in Cornwall. In 2011 they reopened a long-established Italian restaurant in Padstow called Rojano’s, relaunching it as Rojano’s in the Squareto honor Gary Rhodes.
In 2020 the site was fully refurbished and renamed Caffè Rojano, reflecting a New York–Italian concept. In 2015 Paul and Emma Ainsworth launched the Padstow Townhouse, a boutique six-suite hotel.
The Townhouse project converted another historic building next to No. 6 into luxury guest rooms and was decorated to complement their culinary brand. Also in 2015–2016 the Townhouse earned five AA Gold Stars for accommodation under Ainsworth’s ownership.
In 2017 they opened CiCi’s Bar, a tapas-style cocktail lounge upstairs from Number 6. Around the same time the couple invested in training.
In 2018 they established the Paul Ainsworth Academy, partnering with Truro & Penwith College to offer paid placements and cookery training to hospitality students across their businesses.
In 2019 Ainsworth further extended his group by acquiring The Mariners, a traditional pub in nearby Rock, Cornwall, and refurbishing it as a modern gastropub with Sharp’s Brewery.
In the same year he launched Mahé Chef’s Table & Cookery Schoolin Padstow, a private chef’s-table experience and teaching kitchen.
Altogether, Ainsworth’s investments mean his Cornwall portfolio includes Paul Ainsworth at Number 6, Caffè Rojano, The Mariners, CiCi’s Bar, Padstow Townhouse, and Mahé Chef’s Table.
These venues, known collectively as The Ainsworth Collection, showcase Cornish and international cuisine under his oversight.
Awards, Recognition & Industry Authority
- Michelin Star (2013–present).Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 earned its first Michelin star in 2013 and has maintained it every year, marking Ainsworth as one of Britain’s leading chefs.
- AA Rosettes.His flagship restaurant has been honored with four AA Rosettes, the fourth awarded in 2016, and the Padstow Townhouse holds five AA hospitality gold stars.
- GQ Food & Drink Awards (2018).Ainsworth was named Best Chefat the 2018 British GQ Food & Drink Awards, which praised his creative, flavour-packed modern British cuisine and Cornish influences.
- The Cateys (2019).In 2019 he won two prestigious Cateys awards, Chef Award and Independent Restaurateur of the Year. These recognized both his culinary skill and his success in building a restaurant and hospitality business empire.
- AA Restaurant Guide Chefs’ Chef (2023).The AA Restaurant Guide named Ainsworth “Chef’s Chef of the Year” in 2023, an honor voted on by peer chefs for his inspiration and influence in the industry.
- Trencherman’s Special Contribution (2025).In 2025 Ainsworth was presented with the Trencherman’s Award for Special Contribution to Southwest hospitality, celebrating his 20-year impact on Cornwall’s restaurant scene.
Throughout his career, Ainsworth has also appeared on culinary TV and judged national competitions, further cementing his reputation as an industry authority. His restaurants regularly feature in UK “Top 50” guides and receive critical acclaim for quality and innovation.
Current Role As Chef-Patron & Ongoing Influence In British Gastronomy
As of 2026 Paul Ainsworth continues to serve as chef-patron of all his establishments, overseeing menus, operations and development. He and his wife Emma jointly manage The Ainsworth Collection.
In early 2025 they expanded into hospitality by acquiring the historic St Enodoc Hotelin Rock, Cornwall, a landmark project that grows their portfolio beyond dining into accommodation and local tourism.
Under his direction, Paul Ainsworth at Number 6remains a flagship restaurant, and each venue in the group stays connected to his vision of using the best Cornish and British ingredients.
Beyond his own kitchens, Ainsworth contributes to the wider culinary community. He established an apprenticeship training programme with a local college through his Academy, helping to nurture new chefs.
He is frequently invited to industry events, festivals and media programmes to showcase Cornish produce and chef-driven dining. In interviews and public appearances he emphasizes the value of local sourcing and mentorship in hospitality.
Looking forward, Paul Ainsworth’s ongoing role is to maintain the high standards of his award-winning restaurants and to influence British gastronomy through leadership and mentorship.
Paul Ainsworth Net Worth
As of 2026, Paul Ainsworth’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, and no figure has been officially verified by major financial authorities. He derives income from his role as chef-patron and proprietor of multiple Cornwall-based restaurants and hospitality properties, including the Michelin-starred Paul Ainsworth at No6 (Padstow) as well as Caffè Rojano, The Mariners Public House, CiCi’s Bar and the Padstow Townhouse. He has expanded into lodging by acquiring the St Enodoc Hotel in Rock.
Additionally, he earns income from related media and publishing projects, such as television cooking appearances and his cookbook, though specific earnings from these sources are not publicly disclosed.
FAQs
Who Is Paul Ainsworth?
Paul Ainsworth is a British chef-patron and restaurateur based in Cornwall. He is best known for his Michelin-starred restaurant, Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 in Padstow.
When Did Paul Ainsworth Receive His Michelin Star?
Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 was awarded one Michelin star in 2013. The restaurant has retained the star in subsequent Michelin Guides.
Where Is Paul Ainsworth’s Main Restaurant Located?
His flagship restaurant, Paul Ainsworth at Number 6, is located in Padstow, Cornwall, England. It operates from an 18th-century townhouse in the town center.
What Type Of Cuisine Does Paul Ainsworth Serve?
Paul Ainsworth’s restaurants focus primarily on modern British cuisine. His menus emphasize seasonal ingredients, particularly locally sourced Cornish produce.
Did Paul Ainsworth Train Under Other Famous Chefs?
Yes, Paul Ainsworth worked under Gary Rhodes, Gordon Ramsay, and Marcus Wareing early in his career. These roles were part of his professional development in London’s fine-dining restaurants.
What Is The Ainsworth Collection?
The Ainsworth Collection is the group of restaurants and hospitality venues owned and operated by Paul and Emma Ainsworth in Cornwall. It includes dining establishments, a pub, and accommodation properties.
James Rowley
Author
James Rowley is a London-based writer and urban explorer specialising in the city’s cultural geography. For over 15 years, he has documented the living history of London's neighbourhoods through immersive, first-hand reporting and original photography. His work foregrounds verified sources and street-level detail, helping readers look past tourist clichés to truly understand the character of a place.
His features and analysis have appeared in established travel and heritage publications. A passionate advocate for responsible, research-led tourism, James is an active member of several professional travel-writing associations.
His guiding principle is simple: offer clear, current, verifiable advice that helps readers see the capital with informed eyes.
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