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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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After reportedly receiving an extraordinary number of entries, Food Drink Devon is building anticipation for October’s Food Drink Devon Awards Ceremony with its impressive line-up of Devon-based finalists.
The organisation, which represents a membership of Devon's leading food and drink producers, speciality retailers, hospitality, and catering businesses, is committed to raising Devon's profile both nationally and internationally.
Since entries closed in April, a panel of judges and industry experts have sampled over 340 products, visited 107 hospitality venues, explored 17 retail outlets, and experienced 9 training schools to identify the very best Devon has to offer.
Jack Pickering, board director of Food Drink Devon, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional quality and diversity of this year's entrants into our awards. From innovative products to outstanding venues, Devon's food and drink community spirit shone brightly during our 2024 judging.
“It's a testament to the hard work and creativity of everyone in the industry. We have so much to be proud of, and we can't wait to honour these achievements.”
The award categories include:
Susy Atkins, Food Drink Devon board director and wine writer and presenter, commented: “The number of entries in the drinks section of this year’s awards was much higher than ever before, and our expert judges, including myself, were really impressed by the overall standard.
“Devon's drinks scene is diverse and inspiring. The standard of the Devon wines was excellent, and we are delighted with the first winner of our new ‘Devon Wine of the Year’ award.”
Covering food production, preparation, retailing, cooking, and service, the Food Drink Devon Awards honour businesses demonstrating a consistent commitment to quality, sustainability, provenance, excellent customer service, and support for their local communities and other local businesses.
Judging for the awards is carried out by a panel of independent and unbiased experts.
The judges this year are Rebecca Mitchell, Marc Millon, Fiona Beckett, Andy Clarke, Orlando Murrin, Steve Ashworth, and Sue Stoneman.
A spokesperson for Food Drink Devon said: “A special thank you goes to sponsors of the awards DCW Polymers, West Country Fruit Sales, Empire Services, Caterfood, Bays Brewery, Ocean City Media, Vigo, Impact Design & Marketing, Vale Labels, inkREADible Labels, Stephens Scown, PL1 Events, and Hedgerow Print.”
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.
Winners will be announced during the organisation’s black tie award ceremony on Monday, October 7, at Sandy Park, home of the Exeter Chiefs.
You can book tickets to the awards and find the full list of finalists here.
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