NEWS RELEASE
RECORD ENTRIES FOR FOOD & DRINK DEVON AWARDS 2017

Entries closed last month for the prestigious Food & Drink Devon Awards and once again there has been a huge increase in the numbers of entrants. Undoubtedly, 2017 looks set to be another record-breaking year for the awards which recognise the very best talent in Devon's flourishing food and drink scene.

Barbara King, a proud champion of Devon's producers and chair of the board of directors for Food & Drink Devon, comments: “These gold standard awards were set up seven years ago to celebrate the county's most respected, influential and passionate artisan food and drink producers and purveyors. We are staggered and delighted by their rapid and continued growth. We are privileged to have so many dynamic and innovative organisations in this vibrant industry and this is our chance to reward their success and contributions.”  

The awards cover a broad spectrum of categories across the Devon food and drink scene. The Retail and Producer Awards on offer include 'Best Producer', 'Best Packaging', 'Best Retailer' and 'Best Online Retailer'. Whilst the Hospitality sector is also acknowledged with a number of highly sought after Awards including 'Best Fine Dining Restaurant', 'Best Hotel Restaurant', 'Best Restaurant', 'Best Bistro', 'Best Café' and 'Best Pub''. This year, to reflect the growth of some key areas within the industry, we have added three new categories, 'Best Street Food', 'Best Farmers' Market' and 'Best Cookery School'.

The next stage will take place during May, June and July when entrants will face the scrutiny of a hand-picked panel of judges which includes some of Devon's most highly respected chefs, as well as nationally acclaimed food and drink experts. Their challenge will be to select the pick of the crop for the shortlist which will be announced in August, as well as to provide invaluable feedback for all entrants. The winners will be revealed when they collect their honours at a dazzling black tie ceremony hosted by Radio 2's Nigel Barden, at the stunning Deer Park Country House Hotel on Monday 9th October.

Kind sponsors of this year's Awards include Luscombe Drinks, Stephens Scown Solicitors, Peplows Accountants, RAW PR & Marketing, Thornes Farm Shop, InkREADible Labels, Hedgerow Print, Black & White Asset Finance, Zip Water and Taste Buds magazine.  

Food & Drink Devon works tirelessly to increase the county's profile, both nationally and internationally.  Food & Drink Devon - 'Love the Flavour' represents a membership of like-minded businesses, dedicated to providing good quality local food and drink.  The Food & Drink Devon association is committed to continuously achieving its mission – to make 'Love the Flavour' a nationally recognised brand for outstanding sustainable food and drink.  

For more information on Food & Drink Devon please visit www.foodanddrinkdevon.co.uk and follow @lovetheflavour on Twitter.  For further information about the Awards please contact Ali Neagle on 07789 666064 or email awards@foodanddrinkdevon.co.uk.  

A full list of award categories can be found at the end of the release.

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For further information, photography or an interview with Barbara King, please contact:

Hayley Reynolds at RAW PR and Marketing - hayley@rawprandmarketing.co.uk;

Telephone: 01548 550 429 / 07887 474 104

Twitter: @HayleyJReynolds / @RawSW

Main Award Categories

• Devon Producer Taste Awards – for individual items produced by primary and secondary producers.
• Overall Best Devon Producer Award - for primary and secondary producers.
• Devon Producer Packaging Award - for primary and secondary producers.
• Taste of Devon Hospitality – for restaurants, cafés, bistros, pubs and street food.
• Devon Retailer – for farm shops, delis, food halls, other food shops and online retailers.
• Best Farmers Market – open to all Farmers Markets across Devon.

Best Cookery School – open to all Cookery School across Devon.