Following tens of thousands of votes from foodies across the South West, the winners of the Trencherman’s Awards 2024 were revealed at a glamorous vintage-themed awards ceremony and multi-course supper at historic Bovey Castle on April 29.
Finalists: Dave Jenkins, Salumi Bar & Eatery; Harriet Mansell, Lilac Restaurant & Wine Bar; Nicholas Balfe, Holm; Rick Toogood, Prawn on the Lawn
Finalists: Edie’s, Carlyon Bay; Kota Restaurant, Porthleven; The Clockspire Restaurant and Bar, Sherborne; The Sardine Factory, West Looe
Finalists: The Godolphin Hotel & Restaurant, Marazion; The Manor House, Castle Combe; The Seaside Boarding House, Burton Bradstock; The Slaughters Manor House, Lower Slaughter
Finalists: The Langford Inn, Langford; The Old Coastguard, Mousehole; The Sheppey Inn, Wells; Three Horseshoes Pub & Kitchen, Burton Bradstock
Finalists: Circa, Sandridge Barton; Holm, South Petherton; Queen of Cups, Glastonbury; The Queen’s Arms, Corton Denham
Finalists: Fletcher’s Restaurant, Plymouth; The Bath Arms at Longleat, Horningsham; The Bell Inn, Selsley; The Bunch of Grapes, Bradford-on-Avon
Finalists: Bar & Bistro at Tintagel Brewery, Tintagel; Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, Mawgan Porth; Catch at the Old Fish Market, Weymouth; Source Kitchen, St Ives
Finalists: Beckford Bottle Shop, Bath; Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa, Newquay; The Club House, West Bexington; Winslade Manor Bar & Restaurant, Exeter
This year we headed inland to the rolling valleys of Dartmoor National Park and the grand setting of Bovey Castle. Trencherman’s Guide editor Abi Manning and Salt Media’s editorial director Jo Rees hosted the ceremony – considered the region’s hottest ticket in the culinary calendar – which comprised a multi-course feast cooked by previous award winners with this year’s nine winners announced throughout the evening. The event was attended by leading South West chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, and food and drinks businesses. Inspired by the grand setting of Bovey Castle, this year’s event had a dress code of ‘vintage glamour’, and the fabulous outfits complete with sequins, feathers and velvet ensured guests were transported to a golden era for the evening.
The evening began with a Champagne reception of canapés served with Classic Cuvée Multi Vintage from Nyetimber, Trevethan Original Dry Gin and Navas Garden Tonic, as well as non-alcoholic alternative Drinks Kitchen Orange Cinchona and tonic. Supper was cooked by Andrew Swann of The Castle at Taunton (starter of goat’s cheese mousse with rhubarb, apple, pistachio and sourdough chafe), Prawn on the Lawn chef-owner Rick Toogood (fish course of hand-dived scallop with cucumber, shaoxing dressing and crispy szechuan oil), Bovey Castle’s head chef Mark Budd (main of best end of lamb with roscoff onion, English peas and lamb fat mash) and Scott Paton of Àclèaf (dessert of honey, apricot and elderflower).
Trencherman’s Guide editor Abi Manning said: ‘It’s always a delight to gather the very best of the South West’s hospitality scene in one room. Their hard work, dedication and passion is the reason the South West enjoys such a stellar reputation for dining, and the awards showcase that.
‘Trencherman’s restaurants represent the best of the best in the region, so competition is tough and being a finalist in itself is a huge achievement. Yet one of the joys of the awards is that there is such a sense of camaraderie and community – everyone is there to celebrate each other, and the South West hospitality industry as a whole.’
Previous winners of the prestigious awards (which have been running for over a decade) include the likes of Nathan Outlaw, Rick Stein and Elly Wentworth.
Scroll down to our photo gallery below to discover what went down on the night and check out the vintage-inspired outfits. Images by Guy Harrop.
The Trencherman’s Awards 2024 were supported by Classic Fine Foods, Churchill China, Dole, Hallgarten & Novum Wines, Harvey & Brockless, Navas, Sharp’s Brewery, St. Ewe, SW660, Trevethan Distillery and Salt Media.
Get the Trencherman’s Guide and discover the best feasting across the South West – from Cornwall to the Cotswolds. It’s your passport to a world of exquisite dining.
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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