A DELICIOUS dish served to tempt customers for the first meal of the day has brought a national honour to the Dartmoor Inn at Lydford. A Devon Red Ruby corn beef hash, served with fried free range eggs and lardons of back bacon, was enough to convince judges of the Restaurant magazine to vote it the best breakfast in the United Kingdom. Created by chef owner Philip Burgess, the tasty meal, along with a number of imaginative early morning dishes, has already attracted a growing local following at the 16th century coaching inn. Karen Burgess, Phil?s wife and joint owner, entered her husband for the award and was thrilled when judges served up first prize to the corn beef hash breakfast. ?We are absolutely delighted, I am really, really pleased for Philip? said Karen, ?Especially as the breakfast is not the traditional fry up, it has become respected in the industry and the customers love it.? All local produce was the recipe for its success with a Devon Red Ruby beef hash, free range eggs from Adam Mounce of Lifton Farm Shop and bacon supplied by Launceston butcher Philip Warren. Judges described it as ?a real regional gem, showcasing not only the chef?s cooking talent but also Devon?s fine local produce?. Other delicious breakfast dishes served between 8.30am and 10am include herb crusted goat?s cheese with black pudding, chocolate pots and scrambled eggs on saffron bread with smoked salmon. Its success is attracting bookings for people who just want to come to breakfast, said Karen. ?Many people want more than just a greasy fry-up and this is far more wholesome and tasty,? she said.
