Trencherman’s Awards 2023

After receiving over 30,000 votes, we’re delighted to reveal the Trencherman’s Awards 2023 winners

Trencherman’s readers and food lovers across the South West came out in force to support their favourite restaurants, hotels, pubs, chefs and front of house teams in the Trencherman’s Awards 2023. Over 30,000 individual votes were cast, with some of the closest final scores we’ve seen in the Awards’ ten-year history.

The winners were crowned at a spectacular Trencherman’s Awards ceremony and dinner by the sea at Salcombe Harbour Hotel on March 6, hosted by broadcaster and food critic William Sitwell, chef and restaurateur Mark Hix of The Oyster & Fish House and Trencherman’s editor Jo Rees.

Host William Sitwell said: ‘Very few areas of the country have a guide that rivals Hardens or Michelin in terms of how it’s put together – the Trencherman’s Guide has really experienced food writers bringing their know-how and knowledge to it – but also for the fact that the South West food scene has the most extraordinary talent.

‘The Trencherman’s Awards event showcases incredible talent, innovation, a lot of energy, a lot of young people who have come into the hospitality business – and of course a few true stalwarts like my co-host Mark Hix.’

The finale of the evening saw Nathan Outlaw win the Award for Special Contribution. Nathan said: ‘I’ve been in the South West for well over 25 years and the Trencherman’s Guide has always been at the forefront of the scene. It’s one of the guides you want to get into as a chef – and it’s also a guide that a lot of customers follow and then come to your restaurant as a result. To receive this award is incredible and a great honour.

‘I don’t think there are many guides in the UK, let alone the world, that have got 30 years under their belt, and it shows how amazing the South West is – from the hotels to the guest houses, bars and restaurants – and it’s only getting better and better. Long may it continue!’

In traditional Trencherman’s style, a number of last year’s award winners made up the team of top chefs who crafted the ceremony’s four-course feast: Mark Dodson of The Masons Arms (starter), Michael Smith of Porthminster Beach Cafe (fish course), Jamie Gulliford of Salcombe Harbour Hotel (main) and Dorian Janmaat of The Idle Rocks (dessert).

The chefs crafted dishes using fabulously fresh produce provided by Dole, Matthew Stevens Fresh Fish & Seafood Specialists and Gibbins Quality Meats, and each course was paired with the finest wines from Hallgarten & Novum, top-notch beers from Sharp’s Brewery and soft drinks from Frobisher’s. Canapés were served with local spirits Trevethan Cornish Gin, Atlantic Spirit No.7 Sea Buckthorn Gin, and Sea Arch Coastal Juniper. Scroll down for a gallery of images from the awards, taken by photographer Guy Harrop.

The Trencherman’s Awards 2023 winners and finalists:

Best Trencherman’s Restaurant (sponsored by Dole)

Winner: Prawn on the Lawn, Padstow
Grand finalists: Robin Wylde, Lyme Regis; Ronnie’s of Thornbury, near Bristol; The Angel – Taste of Devon, Dartmouth

Best Trencherman’s Hotel (sponsored by The Eco Laundry)

Winner: Boringdon Hall Hotel, Plymouth
Grand finalists: Lewtrenchard Manor, Okehampton; Talland Bay Hotel, Porthallow; The Castle at Taunton

Best Trencherman’s Pub

Winner: The Castle Inn, Castle Combe
Grand finalists: The Barrington Boar, Ilminster; The Cotley Inn, Wambrook; The Lord Poulett Arms, Hinton St George;

Best Trencherman’s Chef (sponsored by Hallgarten & Novum)

Winner: Andrew Swann – The Castle at Taunton
Grand finalists: Harriet Mansell – Robin Wylde; James Harris – The Beckford Bottle Shop; Joshua Jones – Number Eight

Best Bar List

Winner: The Farmers Arms, Woolsery
Grand finalists: New Coast Kitchen, Croyde; Robun, Bath; The Idle Rocks, St Mawes

Best Front of House Team

Winner: Crab House Cafe, Wyke Regis
Grand finalists: Hooked on the Rocks, Falmouth; Millside, Lyme Regis; The Dartmoor Inn, Lydford

Award for Creativity & Innovation (sponsored by Sharp’s Brewery)

Winner: Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling, Carbis Bay
Grand finalists: Appleton’s Bar and Restaurant, Fowey; Brassica Restaurant, Beaminster; The Angel – Taste of Devon, Dartmouth

Best Newcomer (sponsored by Salt Media)

Winner: Andria, Dartmouth
Grand finalists: New Coast Kitchen, Croyde; The Rocket Store, Boscastle; Thornbury Castle, near Bristol

Award for Special Contribution (sponsored by PKF Francis Clark)

Winner: Nathan Outlaw – Outlaw’s
Grand finalists: Paul Ainsworth – Paul Ainsworth at No 6; Kit Chapman – The Castle at Taunton; Geetie Singh-Watson – The Bull Inn

Scroll down for a gallery of images from the awards, taken by photographer Guy Harrop.

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.