AND THE VOTES ARE IN…

Well, we did say we’d keep you updated, and here is that update: we’re delighted to say The Olive Tree won the Somerset Life Food & Drink Award for Best Restaurant / Dining Experience of the Year, 2016.

We were named winners on Thursday 15 September at a ceremony at Brympton House in Yeovil, and, knowing just how high the quality of the competition was, we must say it’s a thrill and a privilege.

Charlotte Skidmore, Somerset Life’s Editor, said: “Somerset is perhaps best known for its fantastic selection of places to eat and drink, great produce and commendable producers.” Acknowledging this, we’d like to congratulate all of the producers, suppliers and small farming businesses, as well as the chefs, restaurants, pubs and hoteliers who make this such a vibrant area for food and drink, and who contribute to everyone constantly raising their game and giving the public so many good things to choose from.

At the risk of sounding like an Oscar acceptance speech, we’d also like to say a huge thanks, of course, to head chef Chris Cleghorn and his team, for continuing to deliver, month after week after day, and to all of you good enough to nominate us so that we had a position on the shortlist in the first place.

And, on the basis that you’re only as good as your last dish, here’s to another great year…