Here in Dorset we're spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink. 

So it will come as no surprise to see many local restaurants representing the county in the prestigious Trencherman's Awards. 

The highly coveted awards celebrate the very best of the south west and give gourmets the opportunity to champion their favourite chefs, restaurants, hotels, dining pubs and front-of-house teams.

After receiving almost 10,000 votes, The Trencherman’s Awards 2023 shortlist has been revealed, with an impressive number of west Dorset eateries recognised, and it’s up to you, the public, to get behind your favourites as they battle for a place in the second round.

Voting closes at 11pm on January 19 and the finalists will be revealed on January 24.

The winners will be crowned at a Trencherman’s Awards ceremony and dinner in Devon on March 6.

The Dorset restaurants to make the shortlist are: 

Best Trencherman’s Restaurant 

Robin Wylde, Lyme Regis

Dorset Echo:

The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis

Dorset Echo:

Best Trencherman’s Pub

Acorn Inn, Evershot

Dorset Echo:

Best Trencherman’s Chef 

Harriet Mansell – Robin Wylde

Best Front of House Team

Crab House Cafe, Wyke Regis

Millside, Lyme Regis

The Station Kitchen, West Bay

Tom’s Lyme Regis

Award for Creativity & Innovation 

Brassica Restaurant, Beaminster

Award for Special Contribution 

Nigel Bloxham – Crab House Café, Weymouth

A spokesman for The Station Kitchen, West Bay Bay, said it's an 'absolute honour' to be shortlisted. 

"The Trencherman’s is a very well regarded award and publication within the hospitality industry, they said. "We are blessed with an incredible team who put their heart and soul into all they do. We are blessed with the best local, regional and special produce, which we use to create memorable dishes, we also have an incredible front of house team who will ensure you of the best, and certainly everlasting, experience.

Dorset Echo:

  • The Station Kitchen, West Bay Picture: Jennifer Mulcahey

"A train station is designed to be a train station and not a restaurant!  Therefore running our restaurant is not without its challenges - but with a fantastic team we achieve something special - battling all the elements to serve our wonderful diners in the carriage."

Louise Chidgey and Cass Titcombe run Brassica Restaurant in Beaminster.

Dorset Echo:

They said: "We are thrilled to be nominated for such an interesting award - creativity and innovation. We constantly research and brainstorm ideas in order to keep relevant within the industry, keep our customers interested and above all weather any storm we hit - may it be bank raids, road closures, the pandemic, rising costs and the impending winter of discontent!"

Natalie Legg, the general manager of the Acorn Inn says that staff are excited to be nominated. She said: “It is a really nice start to the year, we are all really excited. It’s fantastic to be shortlisted, and amazing that people thought that we had something special to offer. We are very proud of it and means a lot to staff and customers. The Trencherman's is a good guide, we look forward to hopefully being in the next round.”

You can vote for your favourite here.