Michelin-starred chef talks about this dreamy region’s food scene.
Think of the Cotswolds and honey-coloured stone, thatch-roofed cottages, picturesque country lanes and fancy food spring to mind. The region is bursting with quietly sophisticated foodie trendsetters, one of whom is head chef Martin Burge.
Martin Burge is the brains behind two restaurants, Le Mazot and The Dining Room at Whatley Manor and has led the aforementioned to attaining four AA rosettes and two very shiny Michelin stars. In 2003 Martin left the bright lights of London to return to his roots. We got the lowdown on his go-to places and why he loves the region oh so much.
‘The Cotswolds food scene impresses me more and more with every year I spend here, in terms of both dining out and the local produce on offer.’
‘Happily, the Cotswolds is very food-centric; the region’s food markets mostly stick to a 30-mile local food sourcing rule, ensuring that we shoppers have access to our farmers’ best produce. These markets are a great way to connect with food, as are food festivals such as The Big Feastival in Kingham, Gloucestershire.’
‘There’s never been a better time to dine out in the Cotswolds, as the food scene gets more exciting every year. For modern British food and an exceptional wine list, The Wild Rabbit, headed up by Tim Allen, in the village of Kingham continues to impress alongside its sister establishment Daylesford Organic Farm. For great British food, The Coterie in Cirencester is a great shout, as is The Royal Oak in Tetbury – I had the pleasure of working with their head chef, Richard Simms, here at Whatley Manor. I’d also thoroughly recommend sampling Michael Bedford’s menus at The Painswick.’
‘At Whatley Manor we are committed to ensuring that our guests experience great food, however formal a dining experience they choose – they can eat in The Dining Room, the more casual brasserie, Le Mazot, or visit for afternoon tea.’
‘Whether you’re a local furthering your foodie education or a visitor to our beautiful region, I hope you enjoy the Cotswolds’ vibrant and varied food scene.’
Read the latest review of The Dining Room and Le Mazot or explore our latest Cotswolds Food & Drink Guide below:
