Top award for Gidleigh chef

Gidleigh Park’s Head Chef Allister Barsby has been named as one of the 30 recipients of the 2015 Acorn Award.  Given each year to 30 of the brightest prospects aged under 30 in the hospitality industry by leading industry title The Caterer, the award is recognised as one of the most prestigious in the hospitality world.

Nominated by Brownsword Hotels, the owners of Gidleigh Park, Allister joins an illustrious group of less than 900 to have ever won an Acorn Award since their inception in 1986.  Seen as recognition of flair and passion in rising stars in the hospitality industry, Allister joins a cast of stellar names including previous winners Marcus Wareing and Jason Atherton, as well as colleague Sam Moody, Executive Chef at sister hotel The Bath Priory, who won an Acorn Award in 2013 and currently holds Bath’s only Michelin star.

Jason Carruthers, CEO Brownsword Hotels comments, “We are delighted that Allister’s talent has been recognised by an Acorn Award.  Since joining us at Gidleigh Park aged just 19 and having spent time in both the kitchen at Gidleigh Park and at The Bath Priory, we’ve long been fans of Allister’s talent and attention to detail, and offer him our warmest congratulations”.

Allister comments, “Since taking my first kitchen job aged just 14, I’ve known that this is the industry for me and it’s fantastic to have been recognised with such a prestigious award.  The team at Gidleigh Park, from Michael Caines MBE through to our most junior members, is one of the best, and their support and dedication should be recognised by this award too”.

Those tempted to sample Allister’s cooking can enjoy lunch at Gidleigh Park from just £45.50 per person for two courses, or dinner from £118 per person for three courses, including coffee and petits fours.

For further information on Gidleigh Park visit www.gidleigh.co.uk or call 01647 432367.