Grand finalists: Hooked on the Rocks, Falmouth; Millside, Lyme Regis; The Dartmoor Inn, Lydford
Award presented by: Churchill China (event partner)
Crab House Cafe owner Nigel Bloxham was delighted to achieve the accolade, and explained how he is ensuring staff are valued and well looked after: ‘I’m absolutely over the moon. We’ve been involved with Trencherman’s almost since it started, and I like the awards even more now we’ve won one! It’s putting the South West on a pedestal. We have great food, great chefs and great front-of-house teams.‘
He went on to explain measures he takes to ensure his staff feel valued and well looked after: ‘Our mission this year is to try and get the hours down, so staff can have the occasional weekend evening off. This year we took the decision not to work Bank Holiday Mondays so the staff could go out on a Sunday night without having to worry about coming in the next morning.’
General manager Darren Roberts added: ‘I’m absolutely made up, just so proud of the team. We’ve managed to make everyone’s hours work for them and the business, and to thrive and do well.’
Overlooking Dorset’s famed Chesil Beach, Crab House Cafe is a rustic and laid-back setting where visitors can feast on seafood plucked from the ocean just metres away.
Sustainability is of the utmost importance to owner Nigel Bloxham (who previously supplied fish to Keith Floyd). He works closely with local fishermen to source seafood from the surrounding waters, which is usually served the day it’s caught. Skate wing, sea bass, lemon sole, gurnard, john dory and plaice are just a taste of what’s to be discovered on the day’s specials board.
Whole Portland brown crab is served simply with dressed salad and mayo, leaving the delicate meat to do all the talking. Arguably the star of the show here, however, are the oysters. Crab House Cafe has its own oyster farm just a short paddle from the restaurant, so the prized bivalves are fresh, plump and ready to be slurped au naturel.
Should you feel overwhelmed by the expansive menu, the stellar staff will steer you in the right direction. Whatever you choose, Dorset’s Bride Valley Chardonnay makes a marvellous match for almost everything on the menu.
Want to discover more fabulous places to eat across the South West? Pick up a copy of the 31st edition of the Trencherman’s Guide here.
The Trencherman’s Awards evening was supported by:
Churchill China, Dole, Frobishers, Hallgarten and Novum Wines, Matthew Stevens, Gibbins Quality Meats, The ECO Laundry, PKF Francis Clark, Salt Media, Sharp’s Brewery, SW660
Jo Rees loosens her corset and revels in drama and dinner at one of the South West’s most historic country house hotels
Michael Caines’ country house hotel has been wowing reviewers and diners since its launch. Jo Rees visited to ‘experience the exceptional’.
The thought of splashing £200 plus on dinner for two might make you wince, but every penny is well accounted for in the uber luxe Lucknam Park experience.
We’ve been sunning ourselves at the Sea Side this month, checking out St Moritz Hotel’s revamped easy-going eatery
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