Food & Dining

Entry call for Devon Food and Drink Awards

Entries are now open for outstanding food and drink. I send the 2021 Food Drink my very best wishes to all who Devon Awards. Celebrating enter.’ Devon’s finest food and drink, The Food Drink Devon the awards recognise the county’s Awards continue to grow, with most respected, influential and 2020 recording a high number of passionate artisan producers and entries despite the year’s difficult establishments. The awards are open conditions. In order to ensure for entry until Friday 30th April Devon’s deserving producers 2021 and are open to both members and establishments didn’t go of Food Drink Devon and non- unrecognised for their tireless members. hard work, determination and

Covering food production, dedication, 2020 saw Food Drink preparation, retailing, cooking Devon hold a virtual awards and service, the awards honour scheme and awards’ ceremony businesses demonstrating a hosted by well-known Devon food consistent commitment to quality, and drink champion, Kerry White sustainability, provenance, excellent and co-host, Thomas Chartrescustomer service and support for Moore. their local communities and other Each year judging for the local businesses. awards is carried out by a panel of

Categories open for entry include independent and unbiased experts the ‘Producer Awards’ with Silver, including a number of celebrated Gold and Platinum awards available names from the region. All results alongside ‘Food Product of the and winners are verified by an Year’ and ‘Drink Product of the independent adjudicator, with Year’ awards. Recognising Devon’s Drink Product of the Year 2020, Powderkeg from East Devon. entrants receiving the opportunity best produce, Platinum awards are Photograph Matt Austin to benefit from invaluable product presented to tasted products given a feedback provided by the panel. perfect score of 100%, Gold awards to products achieving This year’s winners are due to be announced at an awards’ 90-99%, and Silver to those scoring 85-89%. The ‘Retail ceremony on Monday 4th October 2021. Awards’ include ‘Best Retailer’ and ‘Best Online Retailer’, Food Drink Devon is committed to increasing the while the always highly sought-after hospitality section county’s profile, both nationally and internationally and of the awards cover ‘Best Fine Dining Restaurant’, ‘Best represents a membership of Devon’s leading food and Restaurant’, ‘Best Pub’, ‘Best Bar or Bistro’, ‘Best Café or drink producers, speciality retailers, hospitality and catering Tearoom’ and ‘Best Takeaway or Street Food’. businesses. Through working with like-minded businesses,

Barbara King, chair of Food Drink Devon says: ‘Devon together they showcase Devon as a county where the use boasts so many dynamic and innovative local producers of fantastic quality, seasonal and local produce is standard. and purveyors. The Food Drink Devon Awards give us the The organisation and its members share a commitment opportunity to recognise their success and contributions to enjoy, inspire and discover more about food and drink. to the vibrant food and drink industry. We are proud Look out for their green heart logo which is carried by over to champion the county’s most esteemed and dedicated 250 producers and businesses across Devon. artisan producers and establishments and constantly For more information on Food Drink Devon visit www. impressed by the number and standard of entries.’ foodanddrinkdevon.co.uk. To enter the awards please

Barbara continues: ‘The success of the Awards over contact Ali Neagle on 07789 666064 or email admin@ the last 10 years is a testament to the region’s passion for fooddrinkdevon.co.uk.

Local Food Group launches Food & Drink ‘Lockdown Hero’ Awards

ORGANISERS of the Bridport Food Festival have launched an initiative to help highlight those businesses that have ‘risen to the challenges of the pandemic in order to continue to feed us and provide us with much needed treats.’ The aim of these awards is to recognise the local food & drink businesses such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, butchers, bakers, greengrocers, farm shops, market traders, etc etc., many of whom have re-worked what they offer and/or set up new services, to provide delivery and collection to local people.

Readers can now nominate and vote for the local food and drink business they would like recognised. You have until midnight 31 March 2021 to cast your vote, and in doing so you will be helping local businesses to receive the support and recognition they deserve.

For a full list of categories and a nomination form visit the website: https://www.bridportfoodfestival.co.uk/2021/ awards/food-drink-lockdown-hero-awards/