The Walnut Tree (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1960s |
| Founder | Franco Taruschio |
| Headquarters | Llanddewi Skirrid , Wales, United Kingdom |
Key people | Shaun Hill (current head chef and manager), Franco Taruschio (founder), Stephen Terry (former head chef) |
| Products | Dining services |
| Website | www |
The Walnut Tree—also referred to as The Walnut Tree Inn—is a dining establishment located in Llanddewi Skirrid, Monmouthshire, Wales. The restaurant is managed by chef Shaun Hill and currently holds a Michelin star. Prior to this, it was under the ownership of Franco Taruschio for over 30 years and earned its Michelin star during the tenure of former head chef Stephen Terry.
History
Originally established in the 1960s by Franco Taruschio, The Walnut Tree remained in his possession for more than three decades. In 2001, ownership transferred to Francesco and Enrica Mattioli. The restaurant achieved a Michelin star in 2002 while led by head chef Stephen Terry, but this accolade was lost in 2004 when Terry departed for The Hardwick, a competing venue in Abergavenny.
Confronted with financial challenges, the Mattiolis sought assistance from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay through his television series Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares in 2004. Ramsay pointed out issues such as excessive pricing and helped recruit a new head chef. After appearing again on the show in 2005, Mattioli later described the program as "fake." The Walnut Tree ultimately closed in 2007 due to receivership caused by "involuntary insolvency," with the owners attributing part of the damage to its reputation for high prices to the impact of Ramsay’s show.
In early 2008, the restaurant reopened following a collaboration between hotel proprietor William Griffiths and newly appointed head chef Shaun Hill. This relaunch aimed to rebuild its culinary standing and market presence.
Reception
Within nine months of its 2008 reopening under Shaun Hill’s leadership, The Walnut Tree received the BMW Square Meal Best UK Restaurant award and was named the AA Restaurant of the Year for Wales. In 2009, it was honored as the top restaurant in the UK by the Gourmet Britain food guide, which suggested that Hill was poised to regain a Michelin star. The establishment reclaimed its Michelin star in the 2010 edition of the guide, an honor it continues to maintain .