He said afterwards: “It’s super humbling – I’m blown away. My name has been up there a few times, but you don’t ever think you’re going to win it, but when you do, you have the most massive appreciation to the all the people in our beautiful industry.

“It means more as an award that has been voted by all my peers as we’re all in it together and we all have mutual respect for each other.”

Gareth began his career cooking in local pubs before joining Aaron Patterson at Hambleton Hall. He then moved on to Seaham Hall, a first head chef’s role at Hart’s, and then sous chef at Restaurant Sat Bains.

He moved to Ynyshir Hall in 2013 where, with partner Amelia Eriksson, he took a former country house and turned it into an international restaurant destination gaining 5 AA Rosettes in 2017.

His team provides an interactive, fast-paced experience for diners that lasts four hours (six for residents!) with more than 20 courses served.

The AA Hospitality Awards at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel in London also saw The Goring pick up the award for Restaurant Team of the Year.

The three national AA Restaurant of the Year Awards went to Manchester’s Skof (England), Gorse in Cardiff (Wales), and The Little Chartroom in Edinburgh (Scotland).

The event was hosted by radio presenter Vernon Kay and saw more than 950 guests enjoy a menu by Adam Smith, executive chef at Coworth Park, where he opened a new restaurant Coworth Park: Woven which was awarded 5 AA Rosettes in 2024.

The menu was:

• Amuse Bouche: Old Winchester ‘Pain Suisse’ with Jellied Devon Eel
• Starter: Game Pressing with apple, walnut, and blueberry aigre doux
• Main: Devon White Chicken Pie, with celery, girolles, and truffle sauce
• Dessert: Estate Honey, Fig, buttermilk with fig leaf ice cream