Chris and James Tanner's Latest News

                         
Tanners Restaurant received nationwide recognition last night when it was named Restaurant of the Year

Christopher and James Tanner, owners, chefs and patrons of Tanners Restaurant, who were on hand to receive the award in front of an audience of more than 500, commented, “Winning this award is an unbelievable achievement and has given the company a massive boost. From humble beginnings some 8 years ago, our dedicated staff have helped us attain this great British accolade. We are only as successful as the people around us, but fortunately we are lucky enough to work with serious career minded people who are as passionate about the industry as we are”.

Peter Birnie, the AA’s Chief Hotel and Restaurant Inspector commented, “We selected Tanners Restaurant as Restaurant of the Year because of its strong local reputation, welcoming atmosphere, solid wine list, fair pricing, friendly service and sound 2 AA Rosette cooking. Overall it is a very rounded and successful operation, whose commitment to local produce is well recognised and greatly received.” 
 
HONORARY DEGREES FOR TOP CITY CHEFS
 
Chris and James Tanner - owners of Tanners Restaurant and the Barbican Kitchen brasserie - have each received an honorary doctorate of arts from the University of Plymouth. The brothers attended an official ceremony at Plymouth Pavilions to receive the doctorates.
The awards were handed out in recognition of their achievements and the advice, encouragement and work experience they have given hospitality students.

Chris described the honorary degree as being 'fantastic'."It is a great honour to be recognised for what we have done down here." Chris said he considers the accolades will only help to boost business - and the city itself.
 
SCHOOL COOKS GET TOP TIPS FOR TASTY DINNERS
 
Chris and James Tanner joined more than 500 school dinner ladies and gentlemen at the 'Cook for Success' event, held at the city's Holiday Inn at the end of May. The regional conference, the first of its kind, was hosted by the School Food Trust as part of a national campaign to improve school dinners.

Staff from schools in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were treated to a cooking master class by the Tanner brothers. There were also video messages from Prince Charles and Jamie Oliver.

The conference followed the introduction of new food standards across English Schools in September last year, which have banned fizzy drinks and crisps, restricted deep fried foods, and aims to increase consumption of fruit, vegetables, oily fish, bread and water
 
YOUNG CHEFS RISE TO CATERING CHALLENGE 
 
The Tanner brothers got a taste of upcoming culinary talent when they judged City College Plymouth's annual Young Chef competition. Schools from across the region took part in a 'Team Challenge' which asked pupils to put together a three-course meal for two made only from Westcountry produce.

Plymouth Argyle Football Club manager Ian Hollaway joined Chris and James from Tanners restaurant in judging the competition, which was based on team work, taste, presentation, health and safety, and the balance of dishes produced.

The team from Devonport High School for Girls was the overall winner, taking home a trophy and a meal for four in the college's training restaurant. Eggbuckland School won a prize for the best starter, while Ivybridge Community College scooped best main course and best dessert.
 
Food festivals 2007
 
This year's Flavour Fest 'exceeded all expectations', according to organisers of the three-day event in Plymouth. 100,000 food-lovers thronged the city centre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The festival is now the Westcountry's largest food and drink event and was a key attraction of the first Plymouth Summer Festival. This year's event included 120 stalls, plus new World Cuisine and kids' healthy food tents, with the return of the popular cookery theatre showcasing inspiring techniques by top chefs such as the ‘Tanner Brothers, Peter Gorton of the Horn of Plenty, Jacques Marchal of Chez Nous Chez Vous, Simon Hulstone of The Elephant, Torquay, Lee Holland of The Barbican Kitchen, it had something for everyone.

Chris Tanner took to the stage to do battle against Peter Gorton as the chefs teamed up with BBC Radio Devon Breakfast Show presenter Gordon Sparks who had to reveal his competitive streak to take on the manager of his beloved Plymouth Argyle Football Club, Ian Holloway. Modesties aside I can’t say who won.

Chris and James have also taken part at other Food festivals this year such as ‘The Exeter festival of south west food and drink’, ‘Tavistock Festival’ alongside Michael Caines of Gidleigh Park, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall of River Cottage and Richard Guest of The Castle Hotel.
 
The Best Ambassadors For Plymouth 
 
Chris and James Tanner have won the Best Ambassador For Plymouth award. Sponsored by First, South West of England Regional Development Agency and The Herald.
Winners of the Enterprising Plymouth Business Awards 2006 have spoken of their pride at lifting the prestigious trophies. The awards ceremony, saw Plymouth's most talented businesses and individuals recognised in front of the city's business community and politicians. The event was one of the highlights of Plymouth's celebrations of National Enterprise Week.

There were a total of seven categories in the business awards that were open to Plymouth-based businesses and individuals and aim to recognise the amazing wealth of talent and innovation in the city's business community. The awards also aim to celebrate the personalities behind the businesses.
 
                                           The Tanners Brothers on TV
                                                

UKTV Bright Ideas is now re-showing the very popular series ‘The Tanner Brothers’
Originally the 15 episodes were shown in the UK, it then went on to be shown all over the world and is now back for a rerun in the UK

 
For Chocolate Lovers by The Tanner Brothers

A mouth-watering book on all things chocolaty! This book celebrates the passion behind chocolate and provides simple and delicious recipes - From creamy chocolate almond mousse, to rich chocolate fudge ice cream, from white chocolate fondue to delicate marbled crisp cake. It includes an array of sauces and drinks with practical tips, including how to temper chocolate and keep it at its best during different methods of preparation.

“If I were to choose a single ingredient which summed up the essence of chef brothers James and Christopher impeccable craft, it would be chocolate, they do great justice to it” ALBERT ROUX

For personalised signed copies of FOR CHOCOLATE LOVERS by The Tanner Brothers please see top or pop into either Tanners or the Barbican Kitchen. One pound and one penny of every book sold at the restaurants here will be donated to our chosen charities. St Andrews Church Resurgam 50 Fund and Jeremiahs Journey based at Derriford Hospital
 
Tanner Brothers Launch the Barbican Kitchen

19/04/2006
April saw the the launch of Plymouth's funkiest new place to eat and be seen.

The Barbican Kitchen is the result of a collaboration between two of the city's most prominent brands - the Tanner Brothers and Plymouth Gin.

The Tanner Brothers are well known to locals and visitors from around the globe through their many television appearances. Years of training and experience in some of the finest kitchens in the world gave the brothers the background they needed to set up their own venture together. This was their first restaurant, which is still located in one of Plymouth's oldest buildings,

Prysten House. Tanners Restaurant is firmly established as one of the gastronomic delights of the city and attracts diners from far afield, including some of their peers in London who come to check out what the brothers are doing.

Their new venture, the Barbican Kitchen, is located in another of Plymouth's oldest landmark buildings, Black Friars Distillery, the home of Plymouth Gin. "It's a natural step for us," says Chris Tanner. "It's a complement to what we already do."

Plymouth Gin's Richard Smith adds: "We want to promote great eating, great drinking and a great nightlife". The Barbican Kitchen is set to do just that with a focus on fresh Westcountry ingredients and a menu that is an affordable mix of comfort food and re-designed classics given a contemporary Tanners twist.