The shortlist for this year's annual Food Drink Devon Awards has been announced, before the award ceremony in October.

Since entries closed in April, a panel of judges and industry experts has sampled over 340 products, visiting 107 hospitality venues, exploring 17 retail outlets and experiencing nine training schools to identify the best that Devon has to offer.

Winners will be announced during a black tie award ceremony on Monday October 7 at Sandy Park, home of Exeter Chiefs. 

Now in its 13th year, the esteemed industry accolades celebrate the best food and drink the region has to offer, with categories open to both members and non-members of Food Drink Devon including the 'Producer Awards', 'Retail Awards', ‘Hospitality Awards’ and ‘Sustainability Pioneer Award’.

Shortlisted businesses in the ‘Product Awards’ cover a huge variety of delights including sweet and savoury, meat, preserves, jams and chutneys, ales, ciders, wines and confectionery, as well as many others. 

Finalists are also automatically in the running for ‘Food Product’, ‘Drink Product’, ‘New Product of the Year’ and new for 2024, ‘Devon Wine of the Year’.  Some of this year’s product finalists include; Anton’s Butchers (Colyton), Ebb Tides (Sidmouth).

In the running for the new ‘Devon Wine of the Year’ award, where the grapes are grown in Devon and the wine produced and bottled in Devon, are Pebblebed Vineyards (Topsham), Swanaford Vineyard (Exeter).

Food Drink Devon board director and wine writer and presenter, Susy Atkins said: “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.”

In the ‘Retail Awards’ entries have been whittled down for the ‘Best Retailer’ and ‘Best Online Retailer’ ranging from top-end delicatessens to village stores.  Finalists include The Salutation Inn (Topsham). 

The hospitality section of the awards sees establishments fighting it out in six fiercely contested categories including ‘Best Fine Dining Restaurant’, ‘Best Restaurant’, ‘Best Hotel Restaurant’, ‘Best Pub’, ‘Best Café’ and ‘Best Takeaway’.  Shortlisted establishments in the fine dining restaurant, restaurant and pub categories include La Mar (Exmouth), Greyhound Country Inn (Honiton) and others.  Finalists in the café and takeaway categories include Coldharbour Field Kitchen (Ottery Saint Mary).

Finalists for the best ‘Training School’ award include High Grange Devon (Axminster), One Mile Bakery Exeter.

Food Drink Devon’s ‘Sustainability Pioneer Award’ shines a light on businesses going that extra mile in their endeavours to be environmentally friendly.  This year’s finalists include a broad spectrum of producers, hospitality establishments, retailers and training schools including Frobishers (Exeter). 

Commenting on the awards, Food Drink Devon board director, Jack Pickering, 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 at Sandy Park on the 7th of October."


For a full list of shortlisted producers visit the Food Drink Devon website or follow @FoodDrinkDevon on X, Facebook and Instagram.