If the crme de la crme of managing directors from across Cornwall thought they were in for a cosy business lunch when they were invited to Rick Stein's Cookery School in Padstow, they found they were in for a bit of a surprise.

Instead of sitting around a table sharing ideas and eating the catch of the day, the attendees had to scale, fillet and then cook up their own fish lunch before presenting it under the supervision and critical eyes of some of the top chefs in the country.

The event was hosted by Beacon South West, an initiative set up by the South West of England Regional Development Agency to recognise the region's most successful, innovative and high-achieving companies. Only businesses demonstrating outstanding achievement across a range of criteria, such as productivity, profit and innovation, are awarded Beacon status.

The cookery school lunch was part of a Beacon Boardroom' regular events held around the country to bring together senior executives to share experience and knowledge and to discuss how their success could help spearhead economic growth in the South West.

Fourteen companies attended the cookery school where discussions were led by Douglas Webb, chief executive of Cornwall Care, Martin Barlow, joint MD of Budock Vean Hotel, and Rupert Wilson, general manager at The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, all of which have Beacon status.

Sue Baker, project director for Beacon South West, said: "Discussions at this particular Boardroom focused on getting your organisation to eat, sleep and live your brand. Feedback from those companies successfully achieving brand integration was very insightful.

"The point of the Boardrooms is to provide a safe haven for business leaders to meet and discuss issues that are impacting on their business, as well as to share best practice.

"Bringing these business leaders together provides a powerful force. Through the Boardrooms a critical mass and united voice is created that can drive forward change in conjunction with the South West RDA."

Sue added: "Feedback for the Padstow meeting has been really positive and turnout was high, so these interactive meetings are certainly a hit with the business brains in Cornwall. We must say a huge thank you to Rick Stein's Cookery School and to the chefs there."

Robin Karkeek, managing director of Happy Days Nursery which has 17 day nurseries across Cornwall and Devon, said the cooking was a great icebreaker and congratulated Beacon on their innovative choice of venue.

"Everyone had an opportunity to relax whilst cooking which meant that the following meeting resulted in lots of valuable ideas on effective branding and customer care.

"Happy Days was awarded Beacon status in 2003 and we have watched as more businesses have become involved and the network has grown. The Boardrooms in Cornwall are attended by some very pioneering organisations and provide a great forum to share ideas and learn from other companies successes."

Roger Carson, MD of Truro-based house builder Rosemullion Homes, said: "The chance to share ideas and learn from what has worked well in other companies in Cornwall was one of the reasons for our interest in becoming a Beacon Company. We look forward to contributing energetically to the stimulating programme of meetings and events in the pipeline for 2006."

6:48pm Tuesday 11th April 2006

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