Rick and Jill Stein remained business partners after their split (Image: BARRYGOMER)
Jill Stein, the former wife of celebrity chef Rick Stein, has candidly discussed the challenges and errors the former couple have faced with their joint business venture.
The pair launched The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow back in 1975, which has since grown into a culinary empire including 10 eateries, a pub, and even a cookery school.
The Steins’ marriage began the same year they opened their first restaurant but it ended in 2007, following Rick’s affair with his now wife, Australian publicist Sarah Burns.
Despite the tumultuous end to their marriage, Rick and Jill have remained business partners but she admits it’s not always been easy.
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Rick Stein has been married to his second wife Sarah Burns since 2011 (Image: GETTY)
Reflecting on the earlier days of juggling their three sons with the restaurant, the 77-year-old said: “It was hard running a restaurant with very small children – a lot of late nights and even more stress – especially with three boys!”
On continuing to work with Rick after their divorce, she added: “When Rick and I split, we had to maintain our business and work amicably together, which at times was difficult but we managed it.”
One of her proudest achievements is being honoured with an OBE in 2014 for her contributions to the restaurant industry.
Reflecting on the earlier stages of their business venture, she added: “When we started in Cornwall in the 1970’s, we were learning how to run a business: Rick wasn’t a chef and I wasn’t a business person.
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Jill Stein received an OBE for her services to the restaurant industry in 2014 (Image: undefined)
“We were learning as we went along and made mistakes.
“Cornwall wasn’t a foodie place, all the big chefs were in London or Bristol, so we were trying to figure out what direction we were going in and luckily, we found it!”.
In recent years, the former couple have dedicated their efforts to bringing their three grown-up sons into their business.
Speaking in 2023, Jill said she had teamed up with their son Ed and his spouse Kate Stein for the interior aspects of the business, and praised them for their innovative ideas.
“Running a family business has many challenges, but when the going gets tough we all pull together, and I think that’s the most important thing,” Jill added to Time and Leisure.
Rick has claimed in the past that the combination of having a marital and business partnership is what ruined their relationship.
Speaking to The Times, he said: “The business was eating us alive. What happened had nothing to do with Jill. It’s more to do with the nature of the restaurant business – it’s just so b****y demanding.”
Addressing his secret affair, he added: “I’d never [been unfaithful] before and I certainly won’t do it again, that’s for sure. I’m just so happy now.”
“Nobody looks back at those times with anything but slight gloom, right? Obviously, it’s not great for the person who has been left, but it’s not great for you either.”
Rick Stein’s Cornwall airs today at 11.30am on One.