Trencherman’s Guide 31st edition launched at celebratory event at Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling

The latest edition of the Trencherman’s Guide, the annual epicurean bible for the South West of England, launched to an awe-inspiring backdrop of golden sands and crashing waves at a buzzy lunch event at Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling in Cornwall on Monday September 25

For 31 years, the Trencherman’s Guide has revealed the South West’s most notable restaurants, including places to dine and stay. It remains the essential guide to the finest feasting in the region – from Land’s End to the furthest reaches of Dorset and the Cotswolds.

Each edition of the guide is launched at a special lunch event attended by chefs and restaurateurs who feature in the book, as well as partners of the guide and event suppliers. This year the event was hosted at the much-celebrated Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling at Carbis Bay.

Following a champagne reception and gin and tonics courtesy of Trevethan Distillery and Navas Drinks, snacks (including cheese doughnuts, beef and kimchi, and artichoke with apple and brown butter) were served by the team at Ugly Butterfly. Guests were then treated to an exquisite four-course lunch prepared by a quartet of Trencherman’s member chefs.

The starter, crafted by Nicholas Balfe of Holm in Somerset, was lamb tartare with anchovy, sesame and seaweed. The fish course of barbecued Orkney scallop with squash and chilli was cooked by Adam Handling of Ugly Butterfly in Cornwall. Guy Owen of The St Enodoc Hotel in Cornwall delivered a main course of duck with beetroot and alexander. And finally a dessert of dandelion root, apple marigold and autumn fruit was created by Harriet Mansell of Robin Wylde in Dorset. Each course was paired with fine wines from Hallgarten & Novum Wines, and at the end of the meal guests were treated to speciality coffee from Cornish roastery Yallah.

New Trencherman’s editor Abi Manning (pictured top, with chefs) said: ‘Everyone who attended was blown away by the spectacular setting, the exceptional food and the warmth and hospitality of our hosts at Ugly Butterfly; the atmosphere was one of real celebration.

‘The 31st edition of the guide feels fresher than ever. This is a new era for the Trencherman’s Guide, as many restaurants are moving to a more relaxed style of dining – without compromising on quality. It means there’s an incredibly diverse array of establishments included; this year’s 106 member restaurants range from formal restaurants to dining pubs, bistros and bottle shops. There are also 25 new additions – all of which have surpassed the strict criteria necessary for gaining entry to the guide.

‘Thank you to everyone who made the event such a resounding success: the Ugly Butterfly team; the talented chefs; suppliers Matthew Stevens Cornish Fish, Philip Warren Butchers, Yallah Coffee Roasters and Otter Valley Farms; and to the guide’s partners Dole, The Eco Laundry, PKF Francis Clark, Hallgarten & Novum Wines, Navas Drinks and Trevethan Cornish Craft Distillery. And, of course, to everyone at our member restaurants, who work so hard to create the memorable dining experiences that make the South West such a foodie hotspot.’

Michael Caines MBE, chair of the Trencherman’s committee, said: ‘The launch was a great celebration of the talent, innovation and creativity of those working in hospitality in our region. This year’s guide sees South West chefs and restaurateurs diversifying their core businesses to incorporate a variety of dining experiences. From wood-fired pizzas served on hotel terraces to family-friendly beach bars and fish shacks in pub gardens, authentic South West dining experiences are reaching an even greater audience, which is fantastic for everyone.’

The 31st edition of the guide can be purchased from the website and sourced from member restaurants. To stay up to date with new finds, foodie events and recommended places to visit, you can sign up to receive the weekly Trencherman’s email newsletter.

Scroll down to see images from the launch. Photographs by Guy Harrop.