How to use this guide
Searching: When searching for the addresses of shops, restaurants and places to stay, it's important to enter your postcode first - or the exact postcode from which you'd like to search. So, for example, if you expect to be at a business meeting in Torquay, put in the postcode of the meeting; then enter the number of miles you are willing to travel from that point.
Alternatively, enter the name of a town or village (without using the post code box) and enter the product, or establishment, you are looking for.
Shops: As mentioned above, inserting your postcode is the key to a satisfactory search. You then need to enter the Product or type of shop you are searching for; then the number of miles you are willing to travel. This will bring up your options.
As with Restaurants, the best outlets have been given 'GB Awards'. However, rather than ask you to drive many miles - we have also listed the best supermarkets, and other shops in the area if they offer your search product - say 'Crème Fraîche' or 'Blini' . These outlets might not meet our high standards in other ways. To offer you a complete service, we are trying to cover these islands with the best options in a particular area, so you don't have to drive for miles.
We have been criticised for including supermarkets 'per se', but the top supermarkets stock an enormous selection of goods, which a few years ago might have been hard to find locally. You wouldn't thank us if we listed the nearest shop stocking the item you were searching for as many miles away - when it might be stocked by a supermarket locally.
We're afraid you still have to read between the lines as an 'excellent' shop will (in our opinion) have more quality to offer than a 'good' one. Likewise shops listed as selling bread, will all sell good bread, but 'Artisan bread' will have more character; and be made with care, and possibly be in a different league.
Mail Order: Just enter the Product or Company you are looking for and your options will be displayed. We have listed the best suppliers, so all are good - some however stand out from even this standard, and are given the 'Gourmet Britain Award'.
Restaurants: When searching - choose the style of restaurant you are seeking, or leave this category as 'Any'.
Our restaurant inspection team is headed by an ex. chef/proprietor recommended for over 20 continuous years by all the major National food guides. Entries are given purely on merit, no money passing hands - and no free meals are received.
Insert the postcode you wish to search from (i.e. where you are), then the number of miles you are willing to travel. Push Enter and your options will be displayed.
When searching, you can select restaurants offering a particularly high standard in their category (these will have been awarded a 'GB Award') - or use our full list, which includes those establishments that we feel are good rather than special , but fulfil a need in the area.
If you don't enter your postcode, you will be presented with an unmanageable list of establishments.
It goes without saying, that we recommend all the listed restaurants, but you must remember to compare like with like. A restaurant selected under the 'Bistro' heading might disappoint you if you want a quiet meal, perhaps without background accordion music and intensively-prepared food served by formally trained staff.
Indication of prices can be seen either in the price of an establishments 'Set Menu' (generally displayed as set L or Set D [lunch/dinner], or, if these aren't offered, we try to give the price range of their main courses. Sometimes a restaurants cheapest main course might be composed of pasta or rice – so bear this in mind.
Places to Stay/Accommodation: We are primarily a food guide, but have a growing 'Places to Stay' section, which we build during our travels. We aim to only include the very best of each type of accommodation (be it luxury accommodation or a B & B); favouring those that we also recommend for food, or those nearby with something special to offer (be it a splendid view, very friendly service or extra special facilities.
Search by entering the full postcode or the name of the town from which you'd like to begin your search; then the number of miles you are willing to travel. It should be emphasised, that our most basic entry - a 1 'armchair' B & B/Restaurant with Rooms, will still be clean and very comfortable. It might lack an en suite bathroom and perhaps internet access, but would warrant a * * * entry in some other guides.
Our head inspector was employed in an inspectorial role for many years with one of Britain's leading Hotel guides.
To search for accommodation, you initially have to choose between our two categories – 'Hotels' and 'B & B's (the latter including Restaurant's with rooms) – these categories are then sub-divided into perceived comfort levels. Including one for 'Budget' hotels; particularly suitable for families, wishing to travel on a reasonable budget. We stress again, even an establishment with 1 out of 3 marks will be both clean and comfortable, possibly passing your expectations - but my just lack luxurious facilities.
You can narrow down your search, for after entering a specific post code or town, then the miles you are willing to travel – you are able to specify the likes of 'Restaurant Award' (where the restaurant is also particularly recommended); 'Romantic'; 'Ideal for Business'; 'Wi-Fi access' etc.
As with Shops and Restaurants, a mapping system (accessed at the top of the page, will show you the precise location of any establishment, and you can print out a route if you wish.
Encyclopaedia/Encyclopedia: This is the most popular section of Gourmet Britain, and access is best obtained by typing in concise search words, i.e. 'Cep' or 'Cepe' rather than 'what is a Cep' or 'what are Cepes?'. The data base isn't case sensitive, and in some cases we have removed accents on words, to make your search easier; even if this means the spelling is not correct.
Recipes: These can be searched for in the same manner, and there number is increasing week - you can choose Vegan or Vegetarian options.
News: At times of the year when there are many concurring events, you may have to scroll down, or even enter the Archives to see some current events. If you run a food-related event, tell us, and we will try and list it.