30,000 public votes, 100 hospitality movers and shakers, five stunning courses and one incredible evening
The stars of the South West food scene were revealed at the Trencherman’s Awards 2023 at Salcombe Harbour Hotel on March 6, 2023. Broadcaster and food critic William Sitwell and Dorset’s TV chef and restaurateur Mark Hix of The Oyster and Fish House joined Trencherman’s Guide editorial director Jo Rees to present this year’s awards – the most prestigious dining accolades in the South West. The event was attended by the region’s leading chefs, restaurateurs and hoteliers, among other influential foodies.
William said: ‘The Trencherman’s Awards event showcases incredible talent, innovation, a lot of energy, a lot of young people who have come into the hospitality business – and of course a few true stalwarts like my co-host Mark Hix.’
Over 30,000 individual votes were cast in the second round of voting, with some of the closest final scores seen in the Awards’ ten-year history. Nathan Outlaw of Outlaw’s in Port Isaac, Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling in Carbis Bay, and Boringdon Hall near Plymouth were honoured among the winners (see the full list here).
In traditional Trencherman’s style, a number of last year’s award winners made up the team of top chefs who crafted the ceremony’s four-course feast: Mark Dodson of The Masons Arms (starter), Michael Smith of Porthminster Beach Cafe (fish), host chef Jamie Gulliford of Salcombe Harbour Hotel (main) and Dorian Janmaat of The Idle Rocks (dessert).
Trencherman’s Guide editorial director Jo Rees said: ‘There was a great sense of anticipation about this year’s ceremony since it marks both the tenth year of the Awards and the 30th edition of the Trencherman’s Guide. It certainly lived up to expectations: people voted in their tens of thousands, last year’s winners cooked an astonishing feast, my co-hosts William and Mark were a great double act, and the crème de la crème of the South West food scene showed up and had a fantastic night.
‘It’s a tough time for the food scene and our job at the Trencherman’s Awards is to raise awareness of the South West as the UK’s most significant gastronomic region outside of London.’
