Back in 1992, a guide was comprised called the Trencherman's Guide. This encased the finest eateries in the South West, so covering; Wiltshire, Cornwall, Devon, Bristol, Cotswolds, Dorset & Bath. 

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Chaired by the highly acclaimed Chef Michael Caines, it has certainly become one of the guides to be included within.

 

Not far from our base in Frome, Somerset, is the highly recommended Homewood Park Hotel, with their Executive chef Jamie Foreman leading a team of exceptional chefs. Homewood Park Hotel was the venue for this years' Trencherman's Awards Final, which saw nominees such as Bovey Castle - Devon, OSIP - Bruton, Bank - Bristol, and from below in the valley, one of our favourites; Iford Manor Kitchen & Gardens. 

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Iford Manor had been shortlisted into two categories, one of which being our favourite; Best Newcomer. Other nominees in the category were;​Barnaby’s, Padstow; The Chagford Inn, Dartmoor; The Farm Table, Topsham; Hotel Tresanton, St Mawes. The winner was the amazing Iford Manor: owned & managed by Marianne & William Cartwright-Hignett, they are extremely proud of what they have built, overcome & maintained - especially as they announced they were purchasing The Inn at Freshford & Cross Guns at Avoncliff only a few weeks ago. What a year this is turning out to be for them. 

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News that came from the other categories were:

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The winner of the Trencherman’s Award for Special Contribution was Mr Paul Ainsworth

 

The winner of the Best Trencherman’s Chef was: Ayesha Kalaji, Queen of Cups, Glastonbury

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

 

The winner of the Best Trencherman’s Restaurant was: Barnaby’s, Padstow

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

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The winner of the Best Trencherman’s Hotel was: St Michaels Resort, Falmouth

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

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The award for Best Trencherman’s Pub went to: The Chagford Inn, Dartmoor

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

 

The most anticipated award for Creativity and Innovation was won by: OSIP, Bruton

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

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The Best Front of House Team Award was won by: The Clockspire, Sherborne

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

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The winner of Best Bar List was: The Farm Table, Topsham

Finalists included: Bovey Castle, Dartmoor; Corkage, Bath; Hive Beach Cafe, Burton Bradstock; Roth Bar, Bruton

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The team at the Kingston Group wish all of the winners and nominees a huge congratulations, and look forward to the 2026 awards.