Who we are

The story behind Lily’s of Truro by Punk Thai begins thousands of miles away in Singapore, where Pete and Amy Nixon met and married in 2004. They built their life there for 16 years, welcoming their two sons, Daniel and Simon. Whilst in Singapore, Jack the West Highland Terrier also joined the family.

Although Amy is a degree-qualified accountant, her true passion has always been in the kitchen. Alongside her love of authentic Thai cuisine, she developed a talent for Western baking, later refining her skills with training at Borough Market in London. Today, many of the cakes, croissants and sweet buns served at Lily’s are still baked by Amy herself.

In 2016, following the oil and gas crisis, the Nixon family returned to the UK and settled in Truro. Pete based himself at the Old Bakery Studios, and it wasn’t long before word spread locally about Amy’s exceptional Thai cooking. What began as word-of-mouth quickly grew into something much bigger.

In 2017, Punk Thai was officially established. The brand became a familiar name across Cornwall, catering food festivals, music events, private dining experiences, pop-ups and weddings — earning a loyal following for its bold flavours and warm hospitality.

When the pandemic brought the events industry to a standstill in 2020, the business faced one of its greatest challenges. Rather than stepping back, Pete and Amy chose to give back - preparing and delivering Thai meals free of charge to the Royal Treliske Hospital and surrounding GP surgeries to support frontline staff during an incredibly difficult time.

Then in 2021, amid uncertain trading conditions, an opportunity arose to purchase Lily’s of Truro on Pydar Street. It was a bold and risky decision - but one Pete and Amy believed in wholeheartedly.

That leap of faith has since flourished into what Lily’s is today: a thriving café that blends western café favourites with vibrant Thai cuisine, offering something truly unique in the heart of Truro.