Food And Drink Devon Announces Shortlist For Annual Awards

PLYMOUTH, U.K. - Sept. 17, 2013 - PRLog -- Food and Drink Devon have announced the shortlist for this year’s annual Food and Drink Devon Awards, which will take place at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth on Monday 14th October.

The awards look to recognise and celebrate the best that Food and Drink Devon producers, hospitality and retail members have to offer. With a total of 79 entries for this year’s awards, 121 products were tasted by judges, plus evaluating 36 producer, 32 hospitality and 11 retail establishments, to find the best that Devon has to offer.

Last year’s Winner of Winners, Eversfield Organics, have been shortlisted again this year for Best Online Retailer and the Taste of Devon Product category. After a successful year at the 2012 awards, which included two gold awards for their Organic Dry-Cure Back Bacon and Organic Rib-Eye Steak, Eversfield Organics are hoping to repeat their success again this year.

Defending their title after being named winners in 2012 is Noel Corston @ EX34, a restaurant in Exeter, who has once again been shortlisted for the title of Best Restaurant. Hallwood Farm Shop, based in Okehampton and winners of the Best Retailer category last year, have been shortlisted for the Taste of Devon Product category.

The awards feature a total of four categories including Devon Producer for food and drink producers, Taste of Devon for restaurants and cafes, Devon Retailer for food retailers and the award for Outstanding Contribution by any business that has shown outstanding achievement in their area.

Michael Smith, Chairman of Food and Drink Devon, said: “With such great feedback from last year’s inaugural Food and Drink Devon Awards, we’re delighted to be back again this year on the hunt for the best that Devon has to offer.

“Judging this year’s entries has been no easy task, with such a fantastic array of produce and hospitality to choose from. However we’re delighted to be able to announce this year’s finalists who will find out their fate at the Awards Dinner next month.

“I’d like to thank each and every member who has submitted an entry for this year’s awards and commend them on their fantastic efforts. We’re now very much looking forward to announcing our winners for 2013.”

The evening will include a drinks reception, a three course meal featuring produce from Food and Drink Devon members and the presentation of the 2013 awards, hosted by David Fitzgerald. This year’s awards are sponsored by Lyme Bay Winery, Luscombe Drinks, Taste Buds Magazine, Stephens Scown Solicitors and The Venus Company.

On the evening, there will also be an auction with prizes donated by Food and Drink Devon members. As a self-funded organisation, all funds raised from the auction will go towards continuing the work Food and Drink Devon does to support and promote Devonshire food and drink.

Food and Drink Devon represents members of like-minded businesses who are dedicated to providing and supporting locally produced food and drink. Dating back to the 1990s, Food and Drink Devon was created after the merging of the South Hams Food and Drink Association and the South Devon and Dartmoor Food Group in January 2008.

Tickets for this year’s awards are on sale now priced at £35 per head. Tickets can be purchased for tables of 10 or individually. Booking will close at 5pm on Friday 4th October.  For more information on the awards and Food and Drink Devon, visit www.lovetheflavour.co.uk.