Gidleigh Park has started 2017 with a bang as it celebrates being the first restaurant to win Five AA Rosettes during the January awards. The respected hospitality awards have bestowed Rosettes since 1956.
The highly prestigious Five Rosettes are usually issued at the main awards ceremony which takes place in September, but the panel felt that the award could not be delayed until then. This is the first time it has been issued in January during the Guidebook’s 61-year history.
The restaurant is led by Michael Wignall, one of the country’s most respected chefs. He joined Gidleigh Park in January 2016 and creates unique dishes that have a less formal approach to fine cuisine.
Alistair Sandall, Commercial Manager at AA Hotel Services said: “While the awarding of new five rosettes is usually included in our main Hospitality Awards in September we all felt that we could not delay this award until then. Michael Wignall has transferred his exquisite skills and style to Gidleigh Park and has made this undoubtedly worthy of this accolade.”
However, Gidleigh Park wasn’t alone in winning an award. Four other South West restaurants were successful, and won three AA Rosettes. These are Boringdon Hall Hotel (Gallery Restaurant) in Plymouth, Bovey Castle in Moretonhampstead, The Mount Somerset Hotel and Spa in Taunton, and The Olive Room in Ilfracombe.
