THE Horn of Plenty Hotel at Gulworthy has been awarded three AA Rosettes for fine dining, making it one of eight destinations in the South West to achieve the accolade.

Earlier this year the hotel won the silver award for ‘small hotel of the year’ in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

Last year it was also named ‘small hotel of the year’ in the Devon Tourism Awards.

Awarding the Horn of Plenty the three AA Rosettes, Robert Martin, AA Hotel and Restaurant Inspector, praised the hotel’s kitchen team for the imagination and variety that went into the dinner menu.

He said: ‘The dinner menu provides an appealing and balanced selection of imaginative dishes and the execution of the meal on the evening was skilled and measured.

‘Three AA Rosettes recommended and deserved — well done to the kitchen team.’

The hotel and restaurant has been a famous foodie hotspot for nearly 50 years.

Scott Paton joined The Horn of Plenty as head chef in 2011.

Together with sous chef Luke Fearon and a team of six chefs, they work tirelessly to provide a dining experience which they hope guests will remember for many years to come.

Prior to joining the Horn of Plenty, Scott worked his way up the ranks from kitchen porter to sous chef at the Jack in the Green in Exeter.

Scott said: ‘I first started cooking when I was five, we had a “French” day in school and made baguettes.

‘As soon as I grew up, I was inspired by the adrenaline of busy chef service and it’s that creativity and buzz which still drives me today.

‘Our philosophy here at The Horn of Plenty is to provide food which stimulates the senses: visually stunning, rich in texture and tantalising on the taste buds.

‘We work very closely with our fantastic local suppliers and our head gardener, always striving to source the very best local, seasonal produce and to deliver clean and distinctive flavours.’

Owner of The Horn of Plenty Julie Leivers added: ‘I’m so proud of Scott and the team for achieving the third Rosette.

‘We hope to welcome guests from far and wide.’

She praised the ‘creativity and passion’ from everyone in the Horn of Plenty team.