Cream of SW food and drink rises to the top
South West foodies voted in their thousands for their regional favourites and on Monday night the winners were crowned at a fabulous ceremony.
Yeo Valley’s quirky headquarters in Blagdon, Somerset, played host to the cream of the South West’s food and drink industry, coming together for the Food Reader Awards presentation and dinner.
Over 9,000 Food Magazine and Food Insider’s Guide readers cast 40,000 votes for 150 businesses in the fourth year of the awards.
On the night, Michelin-starred chef Hywel Jones beat Paul Ainsworth of Paul Ainsworth @ No 6 in Padstow and the newly appointed Liam Finnegan of The Castle at Taunton to win best Chef.
Another hotly contested category was Local Food Hero, where Nathan Outlaw of Restaurant Nathan Outlaw added another Food Reader Award to his collection when he pipped grand finalists, two-Michelin starred chef Michael Caines MBE and Mitch Tonks of The Seahorse to the post.
Combe House Devon won Best Restaurant, against Paul Ainsworth at No6, The Arundell Arms and The Ethicurean in Wrington.
Best Farm Shop winner James Dart of Darts Farm, said: "A big thank you to the public who voted for us, the team who work so hard and the producers who supply us with fantastic seasonal and local produce."
Best Hotel went to The Queensberry in Bath, newcomers to the Food Reader Awards this year, beating grand finalists Merchants Manor in Falmouth and The Two Bridges on Dartmoor.
Vanesther Rees, winner of the Best Blogger category, said: "I’m seriously chuffed to win this award, with the calibre of people here tonight, I feel unworthy! Thank you to everyone who voted for me."
Simon Buckingham of Best Cafe winner Boston Tea Party, which has cafes across the South West said: "We were up against such strong competition, we feel honoured to win."
The guests were treated to a fantastic seasonal menu prepared by Yeo Valley’s chefs, matched with beers from Sharp’s Brewery and ciders from Thatchers. There were refreshing beverages from
Luscombe Drinks on offer and champagne drinks was provided by Bibendum.
Food Magazine editor Jo Rees, who hosted the Big Night with Yeo Valley Managing Director, Adrian Carne said: "It was a star studded VIP event which celebrated the best in food, drink and hospitality across the South West.
"We’re thrilled that our readers feel so strongly about these magnificent businesses that they’ve voted for them in their thousands, and a huge congratulations must go out to all of the finalists, re-gardless of whether they won award on the night – to get to the top three in a category is a serious achievement.
"As with last year’s event, Yeo Valley did us proud, putting on a terrific evening, and our sponsors brought wonderful products and a lot of fun to the evening."
The action was followed live on the night by food’s 72,000 Twitter followers and others who followed #FoodAwards .
The Winners
Best Chef - sponsored by Sharp’s Brewery
Winner: Hywel Jones, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Bath
Finalists: Paul Ainsworth, Paul Ainsworth @ No 6, Padstow
Liam Finnegan, The Castle at Taunton
Local Food Hero - sponsored by Yeo Valley
Winner: Nathan Outlaw, Restaurant Nathan Outlaw
Finalists: Michael Caines MBE, Gidleigh Park
Mitch Tonks, The Seahorse
Best Restaurant - sponsored by Total Produce
Winner: Combe House, Honiton
Finalists: Paul Ainsworth at No6, Padstow
The Arundell Arms, Lifton
The Ethicurean, Wrington
Best Hotel - sponsored by Jelf Insurance
Winner: The Queensberry, Bath
Finalists: The Two Bridges, Dartmoor
Merchants Manor, Falmouth
Best Cafe - sponsored by Havana Coffee Co
Winner: Boston Tea Party, across the South West
Finalists: Strangers with Coffee, Wells
Strong Adolfo’s, Wadebridge
Best Foodie Pub – sponsored by Thatchers
Winner: The Ship Inn, Wadebridge
Finalists: The Treby Arms, Plympton
The Cornish Arms, Tavistock
Best Drink – sponsored by Impact
Winner: Sharp’s Doom Bar
Finalists: Thatchers Cider
Tribute Ale
Best Foodie Product – sponsored by Michelmores
Winner: Rodda’s Clotted Cream
Finalists: LittlePod Vanilla
Cornish Sea Salt
Best Independent Retailer
Winner: Chandos Deli, across the South West
Finalists: Baker Tom, Pool
The Fine Cheese Co, Bath
Best Blogger - sponsored by Rodda’s
Winner: Bangers & Mash, http://bangers-and-mash.com/
Finalists: Hells Belles’ Bites, http://hellsbellesbites.com/
Wuthering Bites, http://wutheringbites.co.uk/
Best Farm Shop – sponsored by Salt Media
Winner: Darts Farm, Topsham
Finalists: Padstow Farm Shop, Cornwall
Bartlett’s Farm Shop, Honiton
Best Cookery School - sponsored by Helpful Holidays
Winner: Rick Stein’s Seafood School, Padstow
Finalists: Ashburton Cookery School, Ashburton
Demuths Cookery School, Bath
Best Wine List
Winner: Gidleigh Park, Chagford
Finalists: Combe House, Honiton
The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow
The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth
The awards are sponsored by Rodda’s, Sharp’s Brewery, Total produce, Jelf, Thatchers Cider, Salt Media, Helpful Holiday, Michelmores, Impact and Havana Coffee Co.
