After the success of 2017 in the South Hams, entries are now open for the prestigious Food & Drink Devon Awards 2018.

These gold standard awards celebrate the very best of Devon by recognising the county’s most respected, influential and passionate artisan food and drink producers and establishments.

During 2017, a record breaking year, the judges tasted 250 of the finest products and visited nearly 100 establishments across Devon.

Since the awards began eight years ago, the “food and drink scene in Devon has gone from strength to strength” commented Barbara King, a champion of Devon’s producers and chair of the board of directors for Food & Drink Devon.

The county “boasts so many dynamic and innovative local producers and purveyors” and the awards enable us to celebrate their success and contributions to the industry, added Barbara.

There are a range of categories from Retail Awards, Hospitality Awards, Producer Awards and Gold and Silver Awards.

The closing date for entries is Friday, April 20, after which judging will take place over the following few months by a panel of experts including a number of celebrated names from the industry.

The winners will then be invited to collect their awards at a black tie ceremony in October. Sponsors for this years awards include Stephen Scown Solicitors, Peplows Accountants, InkREADible Labels, Hedgerow Print, Black & White Asset Finance, Taste Buds Magazine and M C Kelly.

Many establishments across the South Hams were successful last year including Thurlestone Hotel which won the Best Fine Dining Restaurant award and South Sands Hotel which finished as runner up in the Best Hotel Restaurant category.

For the Best Pub Restaurant section, the Victoria Inn won and the Village Inn finished as runner-up. The Victoria Inn also finished as runner-up for the Best Pub award, beaten by the Journeys End Inn that won the category.

In the Best Cafe competition, The Pantry won the award and Valley View Cafe finished as a runner-up. Salcombe Distilling were awarded the Best Cookery/Training School award and the Best producer and Aune Valley Meat won the Best Retailer competition.

For more information on the awards please visit the website and follow @lovetheflavour on Twitter. For more information about the awards or to enter please contact Ali Neagle on 07789 666064 or email [email protected].