Andrew Swann Executive Chef of The Castle at Taunton and Brazz has been crowned as the Trencherman’s Guide Chef of The Year.
Trencherman’s readers and food lovers across the South West came out in force to support their favourite restaurants, hotels, pubs, chefs and front of house teams in the Trencherman’s Awards 2023. Over 30,000 individual votes were cast, with some of the closest final scores in the awards’ 10-year history.
Andrew (pictured) said: “I’m delighted to have picked up this year’s award, there were lots of great chefs nominated and the other finalists are all very talented.
“I re-joined The Castle and Brazz a year ago, so to win The Trencherman’s Award in my first 12 months is very special.”
The winners were crowned at a spectacular Trencherman’s Awards ceremony and dinner by the sea at Salcombe Harbour Hotel, hosted by broadcaster and food critic William Sitwell, chef and restaurateur Mark Hix of The Oyster and Fish House and Trencherman’s editor Jo Rees.
Host William Sitwell said: “Very few areas of the country have a guide that rivals Hardens or Michelin in terms of how it’s put together – the Trencherman’s Guide has really experienced food writers bringing their know-how and knowledge to it – but also for the fact that the South West food scene has the most extraordinary talent.
“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.”
Ronan Hunter, Director and General Manager of The Castle at Taunton, added: “Andrew deserves all the credit coming his way, he’s a very talented chef and has been producing great food since he came back to The Castle.”
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