Tasty local winners saluted in county food and drink awards

Over 444 individuals from the county’s finest food and drink producers, hospitality and catering businesses and speciality retailers celebrated in style at Sandy Park the home to Exeter Chiefs.
Mike Palmer, Executive Chef at Two Bridges Hotel, Dartmoor, was awarded the coveted title of Chef of the Year'. The award acknowledges the explosion of talented chefs in the region who have been driving innovation, championing local produce and producing exceptional quality food. After sampling Mike’s menu, judges' described him as ‘a truly exceptional talent’ creating ‘attractive and cleverly presented food, cooked to perfection and above all tasting absolutely delicious’.
For the first time in the awards’ history, Food Drink Devon awarded a ‘Sustainability Pioneer Recognition Award’ which was won by South Devon-based The Venus Company for their dedication over the past 20 years as they aim to become the greenest cafe operator - now with at outlet at Broadsands in Paignton.
Competition was fierce in the ‘Taste of Devon Product Awards’ with a staggering 300 product entries. South Devon's Luscombe fought off stiff competition to claim ‘Drink Product of the Year’ for their Passionate Ginger Beer.
From the 300 product entries, all of which were blind-tasted by independent judges, 24 really impressed, achieving a faultless score of 100 per cent and a ‘Platinum’ award. Deserving producers and their products were those who gained a ‘Taste of Devon Product Award’ - Aune Valley Meat at Kingsbridge and Ben’s Farm Shop at Staverton. Other ‘Platinum’ winners included South Hams' Sharpham Dairy and their Sharpham Brie, South Hams Brewery (Kingsbridge) and Truly Treats (Kingsteignton).
For the second year in a row, the highly prestigious ‘Best Fine Dining Restaurant’ award was presented to Restaurant Twenty Seven by Jamie Rogers in Kingsbridge.
In the ‘Retail Awards’ ‘Best Online Retailer’ went to Torquay’s Devon Farm Kitchen with Ben’s Farm Shop, Staverton triumphed in the ‘Best Retailer’ category, impressing judges with their ‘traditional farm shop' and ‘extensive range of produce’.
Chair of Food Drink Devon, Greg Parsons, said: “Devon has a fantastic food and drink scene, one of the best to be found anywhere in this country. Once again, we have enjoyed a record number of entries for the Food Drink Devon Awards and it will be no surprise that we have awarded a record number of Gold and Platinum winners. Our aim with the awards is not to measure one against the other, but to identify products and destinations that we are proud to present as Devon’s finest.”