Trencherman’s Awards 2025

Discover the winners of the South West's most prestigious hospitality awards

Find out which dining establishments were crowned winners at the Trencherman’s Awards 2025

L-R: Ben Palmer, Jamie Forman, Ayesha Kalaji, Nicholas Balfe

For the Trencherman’s Awards 2025 we headed to Homewood, the luxuriously eclectic grand Georgian house just outside Bath, for a grand ceremony and multi-course supper on March 24. Attendees included leading South West chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, and food and drinks businesses.

A Champagne reception and no-dig garden canapés were followed by a supper cooked by some of last year’s winners along with the host chef.

Ben Palmer (Best Trencherman’s Chef 2024) of The Sardine Factory, Looe, cooked his winning Great British Menu golden beetroot dish Firefly for the starter.

The fish course of gin-cured trout with no-dig garden pickles, fennel and balsamic was prepared by Jamie Forman of Homewood.

The main course was cooked by Nicholas Balfe of Holm in South Petherton (Best Trencherman’s Restaurant 2024) and comprised Otter Valley cull yaw with anchovy, potato and wild garlic.

Dessert of dark chocolate and Persian lime cremeaux with lime and Arak sorbet, finger limes, praline paillete feuilletine, hazelnut and chocolate tuille was prepared by Ayesha Kalaji of Queen of Cups in Glastonbury (Best Trencherman’s Newcomer 2024), who switched from kitchen to stage soon after guests finished dessert as she was announced Best Chef 2025 towards the end of the evening.

Read the full list of winners below and stay tuned for a photo gallery of the evening coming soon.

The winners

Trencherman’s Award for Special Contribution (sponsored by Trevethan Distillery)

Winner: Paul Ainsworth

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

Winner: Ayesha Kalaji, Queen of Cups, Glastonbury

Finalists: Paul Ainsworth, No6, Padstow; Isabel Joscelyne, Prawn on the Lawn, Padstow; Merlin Labron-Johnson, OSIP, Bruton; Tommy Thorn, Puro, Clevedon

Best Trencherman’s Restaurant (sponsored by Alliance)

Winner: Barnaby’s, Padstow

Finalists: BANK, Bristol; The Clockspire, Sherborne; OSIP, Bruton; Paul Ainsworth at No6, Padstow

Best Trencherman’s Hotel (sponsored by Classic Fine Foods)

Winner: St Michaels Resort, Falmouth

Finalists: Bovey Castle, Dartmoor; The Headland Hotel, Newquay; Hotel Endsleigh, Dartmoor; The Priory Hotel, Wareham

Best Trencherman’s Pub (sponsored by Sharp’s Brewing Co)

Winner: The Chagford Inn, Dartmoor

Finalists: Bearslake Inn, Dartmoor; Chequers, Bath; The Gurnard’s Head, Zennor; The Tartan Fox, Newquay

Award for Creativity and Innovation (sponsored by St. Ewe)

Winner: OSIP, Bruton

Finalists: Àclèaf, near Plymouth; Ardor, St Ives; Ogo at Bedruthan, Mawgan Porth; Reef Knot Restaurant at The Idle Rocks, St Mawes

Best Front of House Team (sponsored by Navas)

Winner: The Clockspire, Sherborne

Finalists: Beach House Falmouth (formerly Hooked on the Rocks); The Farm Table, Topsham; Iford Manor Kitchen, near Bath; Salumi Bar & Eatery, Plymouth