The Jockey Club today revealed the launch of a brand-new on-course restaurant by Jack Stein, Chef Director at the Rick Stein Restaurant Group. ‘Steins at Cheltenham’ will open its doors at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2026, bringing the celebrated Cornish hospitality of the Stein family to Jump racing’s most prestigious event.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the world-famous Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, founded by Rick and Jill Stein and the restaurant has become an international destination for exceptional seafood and the famous warm, and welcoming service. Bringing that legacy to the Cotswolds, racegoers will now be able to sample some of the classic Stein’s signature dishes at Cheltenham in March.
Replacing Core on Course, the new restaurant will join Chez Roux, an established Festival favourite created by another legendary chef, Michel Roux Jr, formerly of the two Michelin-starred Le Gavroche in London. ‘Steins at Cheltenham’ will be located on the top floor of the triple deck structure which overlooks the action out on the track.
Having grown up in Padstow, Jack Stein trained in kitchens around the world from Paris and Sydney to Tokyo and Bangkok before returning to Cornwall to oversee menu development across the Rick Stein Restaurant Group. A familiar face on television, Jack is celebrated for championing seasonal British produce while infusing it with international influences.
‘Steins at Cheltenham’ will showcase his own take on the family formula: simple, high-quality Cornish ingredients prepared exceptionally well, with a global twist. The restaurant’s design will draw inspiration from the blues of the ocean and feature vibrant artwork, creating a lively, buzzy atmosphere that racegoers are sure to love.
The Rick Stein Restaurant Group now operates nine restaurants across Cornwall and the South Coast. Steins is a family affair and Jack will be supported by his eldest brother and mum on the interiors side, his father on the food and his younger brother Charlie on the wine and drinks. The new partnership with Cheltenham Festival extends the group’s presence across the South West, offering a unique dining experience at the heart of one of the world’s most iconic sporting occasions.
Jack Stein said: “Rick has been coming to Cheltenham for years, and whenever we’re here, people always talk to us about the restaurant - it just feels like a natural fit. I first discovered my love of Jump racing at university; in fact, I won enough on Best Mate’s third Gold Cup to buy myself a brand-new BMX!
“The produce we get in Cornwall is amongst the best in the world, and I’m thrilled to be bringing our restaurant to Cheltenham. Racegoers can expect top-quality food, traditional Cornish flavours, and genuine Cornish hospitality.
“We don’t take ourselves too seriously, we want it to be a lively, buzzy dining room where everyone can relax, enjoy themselves, and hopefully have a lucky day on the horses! I can’t wait to be at the heart of the action, supporting the anticipation and adrenalin, with a Cornish haven and making sure racegoers have a really amazing time.”
Jack Stein
Guy Lavender, CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse, added: “We are delighted to be welcoming ‘Steins at Cheltenham’ to next year’s Festival. The Festival already offers an exceptional hospitality experience, and this new addition will really complement our existing hospitality offering.
“Jack’s warmth, creativity, and outstanding cooking will be hugely popular, and we are excited to showcase the iconic Stein brand in the Cotswolds for the first time next March.”
