Food news: Who are the best producers?

Entries are now open for the 2021 Food Drink Devon Awards which celebrate the county’s most respected, influential and passionate artisan producers and establishments. Covering food production, preparation, retailing, cooking and service, the awards honour businesses demonstrating a commitment to quality, sustainability, provenance, excellent customer service and support for their local communities and other local businesses. Categories include the ‘Producer Awards’ alongside ‘Food Product of the Year’ and ‘Drink Product of the Year’. The retail awards include ‘Best Retailer’ and ‘Best Online Retailer’, while the highly contested hospitality section covers ‘Best Fine Dining Restaurant’, ‘Best Restaurant’, ‘Best Pub’, ‘Best Bar or Bistro’, ‘Best Café or Tearoom’ and ‘Best Takeaway or Street Food’. Barbara King, chair of Food Drink Devon says: “Devon boasts so many dynamic and innovative local producers and purveyors. The awards give us the opportunity to recognise their success and contributions to the vibrant food and drink industry. We are proud to champion the county’s most esteemed and dedicated artisan producers and establishments and constantly impressed by the number and standard of entries.”

The awards continue to grow, with 2020 recording a high number of entries despite the year’s difficult conditions. Each year judging is carried out by a panel of independent and unbiased experts including a number of celebrated names from the region. All results and winners are verified by an independent adjudicator, with entrants receiving the opportunity to benefit from invaluable product feedback provided by the panel.

This year’s winners are due to be announced at an awards’ ceremony on Monday 4th October 2021. For more information visit www. foodanddrinkdevon.co.uk. To enter the awards contact Ali Neagle on 07789 666064 or email admin@ fooddrinkdevon.co.uk