Sponsored by: The Eco Laundry
Grand finalists: Lewtrenchard Manor, Okehampton; Talland Bay Hotel, Porthallow; The Castle at Taunton
Hotel manager Mathieu Ouvrard said: ‘This award recognises the hard work each member of the team has delivered.’
A former member of staff, present at the event, said: ‘It’s a great achievement for us – we’re delighted. There are some fantastic properties in the South West, and some great ones have been nominated this evening, so it’s lovely.
‘It’s also nice to see ex-colleagues here celebrating nominations, meeting new people from other businesses. It’s a great opportunity to network and celebrate what we do here in the South West.’
The Trencherman’s Awards in three words: ‘Unique, delightful, happy.’
The Grade II‑listed Boringdon Hall, near Plymouth, featured in the Domesday Book, but it reached its culinary pinnacle in 2023 with a prestigious Michelin star for Scott Paton.
Anyone who has had the pleasure of eating the ambitious chef’s food in recent years knew it was only a matter of time before he earned the ultimate reward for his immaculate creations. Àclèaf is an intimate restaurant, honing in on hyper‑seasonal produce. Each dish is carefully planned, beautifully executed and precisely plated by Scott and his dedicated kitchen team.
‘Dining at Àclèaf is interactive — a menu with twists and turns along the way,’ he says. The focus is fully on ingredients and the chef expends serious energy, including foraging, to source the best produce for his novel dining experiences.
Hero ingredients on the four‑course evening menu include Devon crab, Dartmoor lamb and Highland wagyu, and there are separate menus catering to vegetarian and vegan diners. Scott’s nose for palate‑pleasing pairings is showcased in an English‑led wine flight which takes the dining experience to yet another level.
For the ultimate treat, book one of the boutique bedrooms and soak in the state‑of‑the‑art Gaia Spa before dinner.
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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