Three national restaurant awards put South Devon on the UK foodie map

South Devon is fast becoming a top UK foodie destination following the announcement of three prestigious national awards for the area’s chefs and restaurants. The Riverford Field Kitchen at Buckfastleigh has won the ‘Best Ethical’ restaurant award at the Observer Food Monthly awards for the second year running. Ode restaurant at Shaldon has been placed at 81 in Restaurant Magazine’s top 100 UK restaurants and The Millbrook Inn at South Pool scooped the top prize at the Restaurant Show’s Gastropub challenge. Riverford’s farm based restaurant was set up in 2005 so visitors to Riverford farm could enjoy the farm’s organic seasonal produce. Chef Jane Baxter has quickly gained a reputation for no nonsense but delicious dishes which has helped her to beat off competition from some of the UK’s most renowned restaurants to win this latest award. www.riverford.co.uk. Tim Bouget’s Ode restaurant has already won a string of good food awards and is listed in the 210 Michelin Guide and Good Food Guide. Tim Bouget says that: “this latest accolade is an amazing achievement for the staff at Ode and really helps raise the profile of his restaurant on a national level.” www.odetruefood.co.uk. Chef Jean- Phillipe Bidart from The Millbrook Inn won the Gastro pub challenge at the Restaurant Show at Earl’s Court beating off competition from four of the UK’s top gastro pubs. The team led by Jean-Phillipe produced a three-course meal for eight under the scrutiny of some of the UK’s most respected chefs. www.millbrookinnsouthpool.co.uk The Marketing Manager for Visit South Devon, Sarah Streeter says the area is home to some of UK’s best agricultural produce and seafood which has led to a thriving food industry as well as attracting leading chefs to set up restaurants: “Chefs who come to South Devon know that they can easily locate the finest food ingredients from our local ports, farms and food producers to raise the quality of food in their restaurants. It is wonderful for the local economy to have such talented chefs in the community which is also a great boost for the tourism industry.” Notes for Editor: About Visit South Devon Visit South Devon is the area tourism partnership responsible for promoting South Devon to national and regional audiences. The main aim of the company is to increase the number of visitors to South Devon for the benefit of the local tourism economy. Visit South Devon works with Visit Devon the Destination Management Organization for Devon. Visit South Devon is a Community Interest Company existing solely for the benefit of the local tourism community. It is a public-private company limited by guarantee and not for profit – ensuring all revenue is put back into marketing initiatives for the area. The company operates a membership scheme for local tourism businesses who want to gain national exposure. Visit South Devon is funded through membership and South Hams and Teignbridge District Councils but aims to be fully self-financing within 5 years.

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