Somerset’s top quality local produce were honoured again this year at a glittering awards ceremony at the Royal Bath & West Show on Friday, 3rd June 2005.
Local celebrity chef Michael Caines spoke at the Oscar’s-style ceremony which included a reception and dinner for 150+ VIP guests based entirely on Somerset’s finest food and drink. Also speaking was Robert Drewett, Vice Chairman, The Royal Bath & West of England Society.
Compere for the evening was Steve Bulley from Orchard FM.
Nominations for the Somerset Life Food and Drink Awards were based on hundreds of votes received from readers of the best-selling county magazine as well as the general public of Somerset. Food and drink experts approved by Taste of the West undertook final judging and winners were a closely guarded secret before the ceremony.
Michael Caines said “I am absolutely passionate about quality food & drink from the South-west so I’m delighted to support these awards. This is an important initiative as it recognises and rightly pays tribute to the immense efforts that so many in our industry have put in towards raising the general standard of food & eating here in the last ten years”.
The Somerset Life Food and Drink Awards are most interesting as they recognise excellence at every level . From restaurants to pubs and country pubs; from farmers, growers and producers to fishermen and butchers; and from specialist food shops to farm shops and farmers’ markets.
The full list of winners is below:
Ilchester Cheese Company
Best Specialist Food Shop of the Year
Winner: Emma B’s, Somerton
Yeo Valley Organic
Best Organic Product / Trader of the Year
Winner: Trading Post, South Petherton
English Nature
Best Farmers’ Market of the Year
Winner: Taunton Farmers Market
Somerset Tourism Partnership
Most Distinctive Local Menu
Winner: Andrews on the Weir, Minehead
Somerset Tourism Partnership
Most Distinctive Local Menu
Winner: Haymaker Inn, Chard
Somerset Tourism Partnership
Most Distinctive Local Menu
Winner: Kempsters Restaurant, Crewkerne
Orchard FM
Best Country Pub of the Year
Winner: Haymaker Inn, Chard
Federation of Small Businesses
Best Entrepreneur / Innovative Product of the Year
Winner: Blackmore Farm Ice Cream, Bridgewater
Somerset Skills Alliance
Best Food Producer of the Year
Winner: Brown & Forrest Smokery, Langport
Business Link Somerset
Best Farm Shop of the Year
Winner: New Manor Farm Shop, West Harptree, Bristol
Archant Life
Restaurant of the Year
In association with Taste of the West
Winner: Kempsters Restaurant, Crewkerne
Michael Caines Restaurants
Best Butcher / Meat Producer of the Year
Winner: Bonners of Ilminster, Ilminster
The Corporate Group
Best Chef of the Year
Winner: Tim Whitehead, Haymaker Inn, Chard
Royal Bath & West Show
Best Dining Pub of the Year
In association with Taste of the West
Winner: The Greyhound Inn, Taunton
Fosters Event Catering
Best Drinks Producer of the Year
Winner: Cotleigh Brewery, Wiveliscombe
Guests included: Michael Caines, Celebrity Chef, Robert Drewett, Vice Chairman, The Royal Bath & West of England Society.
Contact: Rachel Smith, Marketing Manager, Somerset Life 01803-860751
E-mail: Rachel.smith@archant.co.uk