The launch of the new-look Trencherman’s Guide 2014/15 - which features 14 Wiltshire entries - took place yesterday at the ABode restaurant in Exeter. 

Wiltshire's culinary favourites include Whatley Manor, Malmesbury, The Manor House Hotel in Castle Combe and The Red Lion, East Chisenbury.

This year The Trencherman’s Guide, renowned as the South West’s most prestigious and long-standing restaurant and foodie hotel guide, takes on a new format which will include more restaurants and hotels than ever before.

Inclusion to the guide is by invitation only and members have to meet a strict criteria agreed by the editorial board, chaired by two Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines, MBE.

Mr Caines said: "The Trencherman’s Guide showcases only the very best dining experiences in the South West.

"It’s the only independent, quality-controlled guide for the region and is run by, and for, the industry."

The guides features 166 restaurants and hotels from across eight counties, compared to 122 entries in the 2012/13 guide, and highlights 85 ‘rising stars’.

Jo Rees, the guide's editor, said: "It's remarkable how the food and drink industry in the South West continues to develop, and the increased number of restaurants in the Trencherman’s Guide this year is testament to that.

"Outside of London, the South West continues to lead the field."

Established over 22 years ago by Kit Chapman of The Castle Hotel in Taunton and Paul Henderson of Gidleigh Park, the Trencherman’s now covers eight counties including Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire.

Alongside the new website - www.trenchermans-guide.com - the guide will also be available digitally and through book retailers for the first time with a recommended retail price of £6.99.

It will also be available from members’ restaurants and hotels. 

Foodies are also invited to join the new Trencherman’s Club which will give them access to exclusive offers and VIP events across the region.

New club members will receive the guide’s fortnightly newsletter, emailed to its 25,000 subscribers with offers and news from the Trencherman’s restaurants.

The new guide also heralds the launch of The Trencherman’s Award, voted for by the public, which will take place this autumn.