:The Walnut Tree (restaurant)
{{Infobox restaurant
| name = The Walnut Tree
| logo =
| logo_width =
| logo_alt =
| image = The Walnut Tree Inn - geograph.org.uk - 215804.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map = Wales Monmouthshire
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location within the Monmouthshire
| established =
| current-owner =
| previous-owner = Franco Taruschio
Francesco and Enrica Mattioli
| head-chef = Shaun Hill
| food-type = British cuisine
| dress-code =
| rating = {{michelinstar|1}} (Michelin Guide 2022)
| street-address =
| city = Llanddewi Skirrid
| county = Monmouthshire
| postcode = NP7 8AW
| country = Wales
| coordinates = {{coord|51.843242|-2.964046|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| seating-capacity =
| reservations =
| website = {{URL|www.thewalnuttreeinn.com/}}
}}
The Walnut Tree (also known as The Walnut Tree Inn) is a restaurant in Llanddewi Skirrid, Monmouthshire, Wales. It is run by chef Shaun Hill and holds a Michelin star. It was previously owned by Franco Taruschio for more than 30 years, and had previously held a star when Stephen Terry was head chef there.
History
The restaurant was opened by Franco Taruschio in the 1960s, who owned The Walnut Tree for more than 30 years.{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/feb/16/ofm-classic-cookbook-leaves-from-the-walnut-tree |title=OFM's classic cookbook: Leaves from the Walnut Tree by Ann and Franco Taruschio |work=The Guardian |date=16 February 2020|accessdate=12 July 2020}} It was purchased by Francesco and Enrica Mattioli in 2001. Under the management of head chef Stephen Terry, it won a Michelin star in 2002, but lost it in 2004 after Terry's departure.{{cite news|title=Wales|url=http://www.michelinonline.co.uk/travelshop/star-history/2011/rg-wal.htm|accessdate=5 April 2016|work=Michelin Online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010050315/http://www.michelinonline.co.uk/travelshop/star-history/2011/rg-wal.htm|archive-date=10 October 2011}} He moved to rival Abergavenny restaurant The Hardwick.
The Walnut Tree began to have financial troubles, and so the Mattiolis sought the guidance of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, appearing on the television series Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares in 2004. Ramsay criticised the overpricing at the restaurant and helped them to hire a new head chef. After a second appearance on the Kitchen Nightmares in 2005, Mattioli criticised the show as "fake".{{cite news |title=Why Gordon Ramsay's second visit to the Walnut Tree Inn didn't go down well |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/gordon-ramsays-second-visit-walnut-2404121 |accessdate=18 January 2019 |work=walesonline |date=26 March 2005}} The Walnut Tree closed in 2007, after going into receivership due to "involuntary insolvency",{{cite news |title=Famous Walnut Tree eatery closes |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6402165.stm |accessdate=18 January 2019 |work=BBC News |date=28 February 2007}} and the Mattiolis blamed Ramsay's show for making the restaurant seem too expensive.{{cite news |title=Walnut Tree owners cook up a Ramsay storm |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/walnut-tree-owners-cook-up-2264823 |accessdate=18 January 2019 |work=walesonline |date=8 March 2007}} The restaurant was reopened in early 2008 as a joint partnership between hotel-owner William Griffiths and new head chef Shaun Hill.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Sally |title=Nightmare is over for Walnut Tree |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/nightmare-over-walnut-tree-2171377 |accessdate=18 January 2019 |work=walesonline |date=18 June 2008}}
Reception
In 2008, it was named the BMW Square Meal Best UK Restaurant and the AA Restaurant of the Year for Wales within nine months after reopening under Hill. A year later, The Walnut Tree was named the best restaurant in the UK by the Gourmet Britain food guide, who suggested that Hill could win a Michelin star with the restaurant.{{cite web|last1=Rhys|first1=Steffan|title=The Walnut Tree in Abergavenny named best restaurant in Britain|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/walnut-tree-abergavenny-named-best-2109430|publisher=WalesOnline|accessdate=17 April 2016|date=2 April 2009}} The restaurant regained its Michelin star in the 2010 guide, which it still holds {{as of|2025|lc=yes}}.{{cite web | url=https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/monmouthshire/llanddewi-skirrid/restaurant/walnut-tree | title=Walnut Tree – Llanddewi Skirrid - a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.thewalnuttreeinn.com/ Official website]
{{Michelin stars in Wales}}
{{Michelin stars in the UK}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Walnut Tree, The}}