Meet the Team at Bustophers
General Manager Tom Hancock and wife Vicky have put their heart and soul in to this established family business, successfully operating this newly refurbished, classic-meets-contemporary dining venue in Truro’s city centre.
Tom’s specialist knowledge of wines can now be attributed to Bustophers highly extensive wine list. He has established a finely balanced, exclusive and abundant selection of global gems at great prices to awe and inspire onlookers! His introduction of nearly twenty varieties by the glass alone has proved very successful with customers.
Head Chef – Rob
Rob has lived in Cornwall for over twenty years. To him, Bustophers isn’t just a job; it’s his passion, and a way of life!
- Priding himself on procuring the finest ingredients & staff, unfortunately he inherited a team of misfits and pranksters; Rob was not a happy chef.
-Previously the Head Chef of the Watermark Brasserie at the Glendorgal Hotel with stints at the Beach Hut Bistro, Watergate Bay and Café Citron, Truro.
- Joining Bustophers in January 2008 Rob and his young brigade have had a very successful year winning an AA Rosette for culinary excellence whilst Rob was on holiday and a silver award in the Taste of the West Restaurant Class on a sick day.
- Rob’s ethos is simple; let the quality of the ingredients do the talking on the plate. Well said!
Restaurant Manager - Emma
Moved down to Cornwall after wanting to learn to surf, Emma has worked at well known Newquay based venues like The Chy Bar and The Headland Hotel, but decided she missed the big city life, so opted for a move to Truro (okay, a little city life).
- Her passion for customer service is remarkable (as is her choice of managerial shirts!), a true believer in delivering the ultimate dining experience; Emma is also the instigator of all silliness within the restaurant team, a true champion of the “word of the day” school of misbehavior!
- Emma is also our resident barista extraordinaire; with an endless enthusiasm for silky and creamy foamed milk (I still can’t manage it!).
- In her spare time she enjoys whispering to her dog Meir whilst taking long walks on the beach, and criticizing Amy Winehouse for stealing her eye make-up.
General Manager – Tom
Having lived and breathed hospitality in its many guises over the course of nearly thirty years, Tom grew up in the trade from day one (but always said he would never work behind a bar like Mum & Dad!).
-When Tom has finished tinkering with the wine list for the seventh time that morning, he can be found anywhere in the restaurant with his tool kit mending, fixing, sorting and generally organizing the place to be as efficient as humanly possible (why am I the only one who changes the light bulbs in this place?).
- A job description that changes by the minute might include keen barista, entry level mixologist, knowledgeable sommelier, dedicated waiter, duty manager, handyman, marketing coordinator, and anything to do with rebooting and programming a computer in the building!
-Currently studying for the Diploma in Wines & Spirits in London, which involves an awful lot of tasting, Tom spends what free time there is left with his lovely wife Vicky and their two cats, (yes, drinking more wine I believe).
