British Menu’s Ben Palmer crowned Best Chef in the

Winners of the prestigious Trencherman’s Awards were revealed at a glamorous vintage country house party at historic Bovey Castle on April 29

The grand finale of the evening saw Ben Palmer crowned with the much-coveted title of Best Trencherman’s Chef. The head chef of The Sardine Factory in Looe earlier this year won the starter course on the BBC’s Great British Menu. Other winners of the sought-after accolades were legendary hoteliers the Polizzi family, Nicholas Balfe’s uber-popular Somerset restaurant with rooms Holm, ecochic Scarlet Hotel in Cornwall and newcomer Queen of Cups in Glastonbury, among others.

Trencherman’s Guide editor Abi Manning and Salt Media’s editorial director Jo Rees hosted the ceremony which is considered the region’s hottest ticket in the culinary calendar, comprising a multi-course feast cooked by previous award winners with the nine prizes given throughout the evening. The event was attended by leading South West chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, and food and drinks businesses. This year’s event had a dress code of ‘vintage glamour’ – inspired by the grand setting of Bovey Castle – and the fabulous outfits with sequins, feathers and velvet ensured guests felt transported to a golden era for the evening.

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.’

In traditional Trencherman’s style, three of last year’s award winners plus the host chef crafted the ceremony’s four-course feast: Andrew Swann of The Castle at Taunton (starter), Rick Toogood of Prawn on the Lawn (fish), host chef Mark Budd of Bovey Castle (main) and Scott Paton of Acleaf (dessert). The quality cooking was paired with fine wines from Hallgarten and Novum, and Cornish beers from Sharp’s. Canapés were 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.

Photo credits: Guy Harrop/Salt Media

Trencherman’s Awards 2024 winners and grand finalists

BEST TRENCHERMAN’S CHEF

- sponsored by Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Winner: Ben Palmer, The Sardine Factory

Finalists: Dave Jenkins, Salumi Bar & Eatery; Harriet Mansell, Lilac Restaurant & Wine Bar; Nicholas Balfe, Holm; Rick Toogood, Prawn on the Lawn

BEST TRENCHERMAN’S RESTAURANT

- sponsored by Dole

Winner: Holm, South Petherton

Finalists: Edie’s, Carlyon Bay; Kota Restaurant, Porthleven; The Clockspire Restaurant and Bar, Sherborne; The Sardine Factory, West Looe

AWARD FOR SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION

- sponsored by Trevethan Distillery

Winner: The Polizzi Family

BEST TRENCHERMAN’S HOTEL

- sponsored by Classic Fine Foods

Winner: Scarlet Hotel, Mawgan Porth

Finalists: The Godolphin Hotel & Restaurant, Marazion; The Manor House, Castle Combe; The Seaside Boarding House, Burton Bradstock; The Slaughters Manor House, Lower Slaughter

BEST TRENCHERMAN’S PUB

- sponsored by Sharp’s Brewery Winner: The Dartmoor Inn, Lydford

Finalists: The Langford Inn, Langford; The Old Coastguard, Mousehole; The Sheppey Inn, Wells; Three Horseshoes Pub & Kitchen, Burton Bradstock

AWARD FOR CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION

- sponsored by St. Ewe

Winner: Lilac Restaurant & Wine Bar, Lyme Regis

Finalists: Circa, Sandridge Barton; Holm, South Petherton; Queen of Cups, Glastonbury; The Queen’s Arms, Corton Denham

BEST FRONT OF HOUSE TEAM

- sponsored by Navas Winner: Tom’s Lyme Regis, Lyme Regis

Finalists: Fletcher’s Restaurant, Plymouth; The Bath Arms at Longleat, Horningsham; The Bell Inn, Selsley; The Bunch of Grapes, Bradford-on-Avon

BEST TRENCHERMAN’S NEWCOMER

- sponsored by Harvey & Brockless Winner: Queen of Cups, Glastonbury

Finalists: Bar & Bistro at Tintagel Brewery, Tintagel; Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, Mawgan Porth; Catch at the Old Fish Market, Weymouth; Source Kitchen, St Ives

BEST BAR LIST

- sponsored by South West 660 Winner: The Old Coastguard, Mousehole

Finalists: Beckford Bottle Shop, Bath; Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa, Newquay; The Club House, West Bexington; Winslade Manor Bar & Restaurant, Exeter

Other praise for the Trencherman’s Guide:

Rick Stein MBE: ‘From day one it was a guide I believed in.’

Michael Caines MBE, chair of the Trencherman’s committee: ‘The Trencherman’s Guide showcases only the very best dining experiences and is the only independent, quality-controlled guide in the South West’

Nathan Outlaw: ‘One of the guides you want to get into as a chef’

Jack Stein: ‘We’ve been associated with the guide since its inception. It holds a special place in promoting excellence.’

William Sitwell, The Telegraph restaurant critic: ‘Very few areas of the country have a guide like Trencherman’s, which rivals Hardens or Michelin.’