Rob Sawyer new owner of The White Hart, Wiveliscombe

Industry veteran Rob Sawyer, 59, has taken the helm at Wiveliscombe’s White Hart, a 16th century coaching inn after several decades of working around the globe.

Mr Sawyer began his career with London’s Savoy Group, studying hotel management, working his way around the group and spending time with foodie luminaries such as Gordon Ramsey, Heston Blumenthal and Marco Pierre White.

He then opened three restaurants in California and set up the Po Na Na Group, which at its height had 67 clubs and 16 restaurants. He won Entrepreneur of the Year in 1998 and 2002.

He later opened a number of ski-related hotels and restaurants in the Alps with James Blunt, Lawrence Dallaglio and Carl Fogarty, the Caribbean and South Africa, as well as bars and clubs.

He currently works as a consultant for brewery projects and hotels in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Switzerland.

He said: "I went to school in Taunton, and my parents live in Bathealton, so my ties to the area are profound.

“I really wanted to work within a community, and create a place for people to stay, relax and enjoy great food and drink.

“Here in Wivey, there’s room for a community feel. All of our food is sourced locally and our menus will be seasonal.

"Our head chef Dan, the brother of local star Joss Stone, knows his way around the locality, the farms, the suppliers and also what people want.”

Dan is responsible for the menu of reconsidered classics, which ranges from a locally-sourced steak, cooked sous-vide, to Brixham crab cakes and pan-seared scallops, via Thai chicken curry, all the way to a pain au chocolate-influenced bread and butter pudding and a board of local organic cheeses.

The hotel has 16 rooms starting at £85 a night.

“Now we have completed the refurbishment of the dining room and lounge bar area, we’re starting to properly renovate the bedrooms with super-comfortable antique beds, four posters, sleigh and tasteful period furniture,” added Mr Sawyer.

“There is really nowhere to stay around here, so if you’re working in the area, of live here and have guests but not enough room, then the White Hart should be perfect: home-style hospitality and great comfort with excellent food. And wonderful value for money.”

He has enlisted the help of Jon and Millie Coward, owners of nearby pub The Bear and The Martlet, in Langford Budville.

He said: “They’re partners in the business. They know the area backwards and have invaluable knowledge when it comes to hospitality, the local crowd and what is appreciated, and what to offer the community looking for something different from their other venues.”