Taste of the West Awards names South West's best of food and drink

The Taste of the West Awards, a prestigious event that recognises the best in food and drink from the South West, has recently announced its winners. The awards ceremony saw around 500 individuals from the region's food and drink industry gather to celebrate the finest offerings from the West Country, including top places to stay, eat, and shop for local produce.

For over three decades, the Taste of the West Awards have been honouring the best food and drink from Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire. The awards are seen as a benchmark for excellence across the South West region.

This year, due to an unprecedented number of product entries, the preliminary judging period was extended to seven months, from November 2023 to May 2024. A significant number of hospitality and retail establishments were visited and judged throughout the year.

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The overall winners of each of the 13 hospitality and retail classes were announced at a special awards ceremony on Tuesday, 12 November, followed by the champion products from each of the 26 product categories.

The ceremony reached its climax with the announcement of the Supreme Champion Product Award, sponsored by Black & White Asset Finance Ltd. This year, the award was presented to Sea Sisters Ltd (Dorset) for their exceptional Stuffed Sardines in Vine Leaves.

The Champion award for wines, spirits and liqueurs went to Steeplechase Distillery, in Montpellier Arcade, Cheltenham, for its Steeplechase Signature London Dry Gin

John Sheaves, Chief Executive of Taste of the West, said: “To see so many businesses represented in one room from our sector makes me feel incredibly proud of what this industry has achieved in recent years. This was the largest gathering of the South West regional food and drink awards to date in the history of the programme and our sincere congratulations go to all the finalists and overall champion winners. Celebrating with so many businesses and supporters, including our sponsors, is particularly special and unique since it comes from the industry itself, and demonstrates the power and value of a close-knit business network.”

This year’s awards programme is title sponsored by Trowers & Hamlins LLP and Bishop Fleming, who share Taste of the West’s passion for supporting local food and drink businesses from the West Country. Fleur Lewis, Partner at Bishop Fleming, said: “We are delighted to once again support Taste of The West in recognising and celebrating the success of so many of our outstanding food and drink businesses in the South West. Congratulations to all the food and drink producers, hospitality and retail establishments who work so hard to put our region on the map as a leading destination for quality food and drink products.”

Stuart Mathews, Partner at Trowers & Hamlins LLP, commented: “It has been a pleasure to partner with Taste of the West again throughout this year and we are very proud to work with John and the Taste of the West team to support and advise the fantastic food and drink businesses that we have here in the South West. The Awards Ceremony just gets bigger and better each year, and what worthy champion winners we have for 2024!”