Checking-in with…
Mrs Trufflepig, content creator, writer, stylist and cook
This month we sniffed out some secret sourcing tricks with Mrs Trufflepig, the online alias of local Genevieve Harris.
Raised on Vancouver Island by English parents, Genevieve’s love for fashion and style sparked early. After university, she knew she wanted to be at the heart of the industry—so she moved to London, starting at Matches, then spending several years at Liberty, where she helped revamp its renowned personal shopping department, before landing at Alexander McQueen.
By then, with a young family in tow, she and her husband dreamed of a slower pace and found it in Rye, where they bought a fixer-upper on the High Street. That first renovation led to an even bigger leap: a near-derelict Tudor house with three acres of potential. They moved in—kids, ducks, dogs and all—and spent five years restoring it with love.
During lockdown, Genevieve began documenting the highs and lows of the project on Instagram, connecting with others through the challenges of historic renovation (something we Georgians know well!). Her cheerful “knick-knack chit chat” videos now chronicle her thrifted treasures, DIY repairs, and playful experiments in cooking and gardening.
What began as a creative outlet has since grown into a thriving, passion-driven business. Genevieve brings a refreshing trial-and-error approach to every project—never claiming to be an expert, just endlessly enthusiastic. It’s a spirit that clearly resonates with her growing global audience. We’re thrilled the George played a small part in bringing her—and her infectious energy—to Rye!
What brings you to The George?
We ended up moving to Rye 12 years ago because of The George! We were living in Tuffnell Park, North London and my daughter was three. My husband and I knew we were ready to move out of London, but hadn’t found an area that we felt ticked all the boxes for us, until we booked a last-minute weekend getaway at The George. Within a day of arriving and exploring the town, we knew it was where we wanted to live and raise our family.
List 3 things you won’t leave home without?
Lip balm, keys and phone – annoyingly.
What is your earliest hotel memory?
I was five and was begging my parents to take me to Disneyland in California. I grew up on Vancouver Island, Canada. They decided to take a road trip and drive all the way down the west coast, across the Canadian American border and it took us about a week. None of it was planned; we just stopped at diners, drive-ins and hotels along the way. I remember it being super exciting and adventurous having no plans, driving through forests and deserts. I remember the joy of getting to a different hotel after a day of driving and the joy of jumping in the outdoor pool, which they all seemed to have!
What is the best/most important part of staying away in a hotel for you?
It’s hard to pick just one thing; what makes a great hotel stay is a culmination of things. The front of house staff are so important. They’re the first people you meet, and a warm welcome goes a long way. A comfortable bed is king, nice sheets, elevated but unstuffy interiors, and a cosy spot to enjoy a nightcap is always a bonus.
What are you currently reading/binge-watching/listening to?
I don’t really watch a lot of TV. I’m currently binging on chefs’ memoirs and cookbooks. I’ve just reread Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, which is so brilliant. Now I’m reading Toast by Nigel Slater. I love every book Nigel Slater has written; he has that incredible skill of describing complex things with just a few words that make you understand it completely.
Do you have a hotel lobby/lift story you’d care to share with us?
The only lift story I have is about the old one in the perfumery at Liberty London. I worked there for six years and can confirm…it is absolutely haunted.
What do you always forget/lose when you go away?
I’m a terrible packer! I’m lucky to get to travel a lot with work, and you’d think the practice would make me more efficient, but it really hasn’t. I often forget toothpaste, a hairbrush and pyjamas, but have also been known to forget the shoes I’m planning on wearing to a wedding and even the dress.
Hypothetically, who would you most like to discover is a fellow guest?
Louis Theroux. I love him and even my husband knows I have a big crush on him. I also know he’s stayed at The George because I saw him last summer and to the horror of the kids, totally fan-girled him.
What helps you get to sleep at night? (Keep it clean!)
A comfortable bed, good pillow, and a quiet room.
My secret Rye discovery is…
The Winery in Rye, a tucked away taproom open Fridays and Saturdays
