THE Highcliff Grill at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott has been awarded the title of Restaurant of the Year at the sixth annual Taste of Dorset Awards.

The glitzy event was attended by the region’s top names in food and drink, in a celebration of Dorset’s culinary finest.

The awards are voted for by the public and celebrate the use of local produce and the inventiveness with which it is cooked.

Following their win, the team at the Highcliff Grill have put together a special Taste of Dorset menu for their guests to enjoy (just £31.50).

Evident on the restaurant’s menu is the clear passion for local produce.

Picking up the award for the Highcliff Grill, was executive head chef Matt Budden, who said: “As we were up against the very best restaurants in the region, we knew we’d have to step our performance up a gear. We’d like to share our success with our ‘food heroes’, those local Dorset and Hampshire producers, farmers and fishermen, who ensure our outstanding quality and sustainability in all our produce.”

General manager of the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott, Andrew Francis, commented: “We’re over the moon with our Highcliff Grill team’s performance at these awards.

“Winning this award really is a testament to Matt and his hard working team of chefs and front of house staff.”