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

The very best of food and drink in the South West have been crowned at the Taste of the West Awards. Around 500 people from the region’s food and drink industry gathered to celebrate the West Country’s finest food and drink, as well as all the best places to stay, eat and shop for local food & drink in the South West.

The Taste of the West Awards have been running now for over 30 years and the annual programme rewards the very best food and drink from across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. They continue to be regarded as a benchmark for excellence across the South West region.

Due to a record number of product entries this year, the preliminary judging period was extended to 7 months (sampling took place from November 2023 to May 2024) and a huge number of hospitality and retail establishments have been visited and judged throughout the year. At a special awards ceremony on Tuesday 12 November, the overall winners of each of the 13 hospitality and retail classes were announced, followed by the champion products from each of the 26 product categories.

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The ceremony culminated in the announcement of the coveted Supreme Champion Product Award sponsored by Black & White Asset Finance Ltd, which this year was presented to Sea Sisters Ltd (Dorset) for their outstanding Stuffed Sardines in Vine Leaves .

The Bo Bom Ananas gelato produced by Bo Bom Gelato (Somerset) was awarded the Reserve Supreme Champion Product Award.

Taste of the West’s No 1 Place to Go for 2023/2024, sponsored by Goosemoor Foodservice, was awarded to Washingpool Farm Shop in Dorset. Taste of the West’s South West Sustainability Award, sponsored by SUEZ, was presented to Westaways Sausages Ltd , Devon.

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!”