Dorset restaurant wins top national award

Winners of the South West’s m ost p restigious h ospitality a wards, including one from Dorset, w ere u nveiled at a c eremony and m ulti-course d inner at the Homewood hotel, n ear Bath . The biggest honour of the night was given to Paul Ainsworth, who was recognised for his services to the region's hospitality sector with the Trencherman’s Award for Special Contribution. On winning, Paul said: "Tonight has been spectacular; the chefs were phenomenal.

"I moved to Cornwall 20 years ago and it’s been the most amazing journey, so winning this absolutely means the world." Ayesha Kalaji took home the Best Trencherman’s Chef award for her modern Middle Eastern cooking at Queen of Cups in Glastonbury. The chef said: "I’m totally thrilled, giddy and utterly shocked.



"It was honour enough to be shortlisted alongside such incredible chefs representing such a special part of the country, but to have actually won the award feels absolutely amazing. "Thank you to everyone who voted for me, I can’t wait to bring this award back to the restaurant and share it with my fantastic team. "I am actually lost for words, which is very rare for me.

" READ: Dorset: Salt at Portland Marina reopens under new management The Trencherman’s Awards also recognised OSIP in Bruton and Barnaby’s in Padstow. OSIP won the Trencherman's Award for Innovation and Creativity, while Barnaby's was named Best Trencherman’s Restaurant. The awards evening, hosted by Trencherman’s Guide editor Abi Manning, is known as the region’s hottest event in the culinary calendar.

Nine prizes were presented between courses of a multi-course dinner cooked by previous award winners, three of whom have appeared on Great British Menu and/or MasterChef: The Professionals. Abi said: "It’s always a privilege and a pleasure to bring together the Trencherman’s community at our annual awards, which celebrate the crème de la crème of the region’s dining establishments. "The atmosphere was one of celebration and solidarity; we have such an abundance of talent, creativity and innovation in the South West.

"I think everyone present felt proud to be a part of that, and celebrated each other and the hospitality industry regardless of whether they came away with a winner’s plate or not." The evening's four-course feast was the work of last year’s award winners and the host chef. Ben Palmer of The Sardine Factory in Looe prepared his Great British Menu starter Firefly.

The fish course was cooked by host chef Jamie Forman of Homewood, before Nicholas Balfe of Holm in South Petherton prepared the main course. READ: Dorchester Antelope Walk : Seventy Four restaurant to open Best Trencherman’s Chef 2025 Ayesha Kalaji of Queen of Cups in Glastonbury created the dessert. The awards were given amid a Champagne reception and fine dining experience, with wines from Hallgarten and Novum, and Cornish beers and ciders from Sharp's Brewing Co.

The full list of winners at the Trencherman's Awards 2025 is as follows: Award for Special Contribution: Paul Ainsworth Best Trencherman's Chef: Ayesha Kalaji of Queen of Cups, Glastonbury Best Trencherman's Restaurant: Barnaby's, Padstow Best Trencherman's Hotel: St Michaels Resort, Falmouth Best Trencherman's Pub: The Chagford Inn, Dartmoor Award for Creativity and Innovation: OSIP, Bruton Best Front of House Team: The Clockspire, Sherborne Best Trencherman's Newcomer: Iford Manor Kitchen, near Bath Best Bar List: The Farm Table, Topsham.