A STUNNINGLY beautiful West Devon hotel is this month celebrating major accolades after its restaurant was declared one of the top 180 in the country. Lewtrenchard Manor, the historic home of the famous Victorian the Rev Sabine Baring Gould, has now been awarded three AA rosettes for culinary excellence in the new AA Restaurant Guide 2005 ? one of the highest awards it is possible to receive. Sarah Harvey, general manager of the hotel, said: ?We are absolutely delighted that Lewtrenchard Manor has been selected by the AA as one of the premier places to stay, and on achieving our third rosette.? The hotel, part of the von Essen Private Collection of Hotels, has been subject to a £300,000 investment in the last year, with more planned. Sarah said there was a ?very big difference? between two rosettes and three and staff at the hotel were thrilled with such positive recognition of the hard work which had been put into Lewtrenchard. Head chef Jason Hornbuckle said: ?It is a wonderful achievement as only five restaurants in Devon hold this award. ?Lewtrenchard Manor pride themselves on sourcing the finest of ingredients, using local suppliers wherever possible.? Jason, who trained with famous London chef Bruno Loubet at the Four Seasons, uses locally produced meat from a well-known Launceston butcher, fresh vegetables from the estate itself and fresh fish from Looe fish quay. But he says the team are not about to rest on their laurels. ?I think the next step now is for us to work towards a Michelin star ? and a fourth rosette is not impossible, it?s just more hard work, dedication and commitment,? said Jason. ?I think keeping consistency, keep using the best ingredients imaginatively and keeping the inspectors interested would do it.? Jason, 32, said Lewtrenchard was a fabulous place to work and he paid tribute to the team behind the scenes. ?I fell in love with the place as soon as I saw it. I?ve been here four years now and every time I come down the drive I think how lucky I am to be here, and to be able to build on what we?ve got,? he said. Paul Birnie, AA chief hotel and restaurant inspector, said: ?Less than ten per cent of restaurants in the British Isles are awarded rosettes of three or more ? these are the best in the industry and very worthy winners. ?Each is outstanding in its own way, and I pay tribute to the consistent excellence they achieve.?
