North Devon Food Award winners announced at record breaking Foodfest
24th October 2013
The winners of the prestigious North Devon Food Awards were unveiled on Sunday 20th October at the annual Foodfest event, North Devon’s premier food and drink festival.
Businesses from across the region were named the best, after 1327 online votes were made by locals and holidaymakers throughout the summer.
The Awards, sponsored by Cottage Holidays, celebrate the best food producers and retailers in the area in a number of categories, including Best Local Restaurant, Café and Pub.
Top chef Michael Caines MBE of Gidleigh Park, who presented the winners with their awards said: “I’d like to congratulate the winners of the Food Awards – it’s a real accolade and recognises the rich food culture and quality of food in North Devon.”
“As a champion of local and regional food, it’s brilliant to attend an event which celebrates the diverse range of top quality food producers and retailers in the area. Foodfest has become embedded in the culture of North Devon and I’m thrilled I was able to attend again this year.”
The Foodfest event, now in its sixth year, took place at Barnstaple’s Historic Pannier Market, with chef demonstrations being held in the Queen’s Theatre. The annual celebration of North Devon’s finest food featured over 90 local food and drink exhibitors, chef demonstrations, tastings and live music.
Organisers North Devon+ say this year’s event was even more popular than in previous years, breaking all records. Barnstaple Town Centre reported a footfall in excess of 14,000: double the average footfall for October. Exhibitors and traders in the town reported an increase in sales, with many exhibitors selling out on the day.
Foodfest is just one part of a programme of activities that North Devon+ are involved with to support the local economy - working with partners in the food and drink sector is one element, but they also bring together key partners across the county and beyond with other elements of their work.
Kristy Webbe of North Devon+ said: “This year’s Foodfest was bigger and better with more producers, more food stalls than ever before: it was a great success and it’s fantastic that so many people supported the event. We’ve seen the festival increase in popularity since it began in 2008. It supports suppliers, growers and traders, but also promotes our area, helping to create a more productive economy.”
Dane Stanley, Chairman of BID Barnstaple said: “BID Barnstaple is a keen supporter of North Devon Foodfest as it recognises the value it provides to Barnstaple on many levels. The event draws large crowds into Barnstaple Town Centre which benefits all of our retailers”
Anthony Johns of Johns of Instow and Appledore said: “Foodfest has been amazing. It’s our first year as sponsor and exhibitor and the festival has been busier and better than ever – We had excellent sales on the day, and has definitely helped to raise the profile of Johns of Instow and Appledore to locals plus we’ve identified lots of new local producers. We look forward to returning to Foodfest in 2014.”
The event would not be possible without the sponsorship of of BID Barnstaple, North Devon Council, The North Devon Fisheries Local Action Group and Johns of Instow and Appledore, or the support of the Barnstaple Pannier Market, The North Devon Journal, North Devon Theatres, Brend Hotels Group, Ashgrove Kitchens and Rangemoors.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For more information regarding this press release contact: Emma Parker Reynolds at Coast on 07944 360631 or the Coast main office on 01752 847135.
Awards information
Categories
- Best Restaurant
- Best Café
- Best Food to Go
- Best Pub
- Best Local Producer / Retailer
- Super Service Award
Results
Best Restaurant
Winner - Terra Madre at Broomhill, Muddiford
Joint Runner Up – Fat Belly Fred’s, Barnstaple
Joint Runner Up – Weirmarsh Farm Restaurant, Nr Umberleigh
Best Café
Winner - Johns of Appledore
2nd - Tea on the Green, Westward Ho!
3rd - The Old Kitchen Tea Rooms, Hartland Abbey
Best Food to Go
Winner - Graylings, Fremington
2nd - South Sixteen, Braunton
3rd - Monty's Caribbean Kitchen, Barnstaple
Best Pub
Winner – The Bell Inn, Parkham
2nd - The New Inn, Roborough
3rd - The Instow Arms, Instow
Best Producer/Retailer
Winner - Clovelly Fish (Dan the Fishman), Clovelly
2nd - Lizzy’s Larder, Milton Damerel
3rd - John’s of Instow, Instow
Super Service
Winner - Lizzy’s Larder, Milton Damerel
Quotes from the judges and the winners:
Johns of Appledore
North Devon Food Awards judge said: “This cafe raises the bar! In its glorious setting on Appledore Quay, visitors can be treated to a large menu of local delights. With their larder of local products the kitchen serves up homemade sweet and savoury dishes, featuring local meat, fish and dairy specials. The service is friendly and efficient and you can even grab yourself a tasty treat from the scrumptious deli on the way home!”
Sue Johns, of John's of Appledore, said: “Winning this award is very exciting, because we all work so hard to bring our customers the best in local produce and homemade products. The fact that our customers voted for us to win this award makes it even more special – thank you to everyone who voted.”
Terra Madre at Broomhill, Muddiford
North Devon Food Awards judge said: “Broomhill's Terra Madra has a strong identity as a restaurant that prides itself on local, organic, fairtrade ingredients served in a uniquely arty and interesting environment. It's refreshing to visit a restaurant that is using imagination and flair to create baked on the premises artisan breads and puddings.”
Aniet van de Sande, owner of Terra Madre at Broomhill said: “This is a great things for us – we are very pleased as we all work so hard. As the winner of this award is chosen by the public this is a huge honour for us.”
Graylings, Fremington
North Devon Food Awards judge said: "Graylings - with its light, crisp batter and plump juicy cod, coupled with expertly fried chips, Graylings is just how a traditional fish and chip shop should be. They have a vast menu of choice complemented by excellent service.”
Sarah Grayling, joint owner at Graylings said: “This is absolutely fantastic: although we've won an award before, the category adapted to include more restaurants this year – so the fact that we've been up against even more competition makes winning even more special.”
The Bell Inn, Parkham
North Devon Food Awards judge said: “This family run pub has the hallmark of owners and staff pleased to go the extra yard to give their customers good food and drink in a comfortable atmosphere of friendly and knowledgeable service. They strive to source local produce and are keen to credit suppliers by name. The kitchen delivered an enticing range of dishes that were hard to fault, and a short but well chosen wine list. At the same time, this is clearly a genuine village pub with locals dropping in to sample one of the regional beers on offer.”
Rachel Sanders, joint owner at The Bell Inn said: “We are overwhelmed: winning this award means so much to us. We're celebrating our 12th anniversary at The Bell Inn and I'd like to say thank you to everyone who supported us.”
Clovelly Fish (Dan the Fishman), Clovelly
North Devon Food Awards judge said: “A real pleasure to visit this colourful market stall, secure in the knowledge that you are buying spanking fresh, locally landed fish. Nothing is too much trouble for Dan, he cheerfully fillets and portions up your choice, at the same time maintaining a conversation and welcoming new arrivals. He is a fount of knowledge – armed with his storage tips and cooking suggestions, customers can buy with confidence.”
Dan The Fishman said: “I'm proud to be a food champion for North Devon and to win this award for the third year running. I've decided to step down from the competition to let some younger contestants have a try at winning next year - I'd like to thank all the people who voted for me. I'd like to give my heartfelt thanks to North Devon’s fishermen, who spend their lives catching the superb fish that I sell to customers, and I believe that the message about the high quality of local Devon fish is getting through.
Lizzy’s Larder, Milton Damerel
Voter's comments (this award was based on votes only): 'Delightful shop and staff’, ‘Gave us a great Devon Welcome‘, ‘Welcoming, friendly, clean, good value, quality produce’, ‘Friendly, knowledgeable, polite and the food is amazing’, ‘Totally inspiring lady', 'The hand and the land working well together'.
Lizzy Kirby, owner of Lizzy's Larder said: “This is a culmination of a year of hard work and it's nice that people have taken the time to vote. We've had some amazing comments from customers and it's wonderful that we've been recognised in this way.”
FoodFest Background
Coordinated by North Devon+, FoodFest is part of an ongoing regional campaign to support local food and drink producers. The FoodFest event has increased in popularity since it began in 2008. In 2013 there were:
- 13900 visitors
- 75 exhibitors
- 5 top chefs
- Worth £229350 to local economy
Launched by North Devon+ in 2008 with European funding via a Leader4 food and drink project, FoodFest has now been self supporting since 2011 with funding instead provided by North Devon+, North Devon Council, BID Barnstaple, and annual sponsors (for 2013 they are the Northern Devon Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) and John’s of Appledore and Instow).
Notes to Editors:
For more information, contact Emma Parker or Liz Waugh at Coast Communications on 07944 360631 / 07966 388921 / main office 01752 847135.
About North Devon
North Devon is the chief economic delivery agency for North Devon and Torridge. We aim to deliver positive change, creating a more productive economy and more prosperous communities. Our role is to ensure our area thrives as a place in which to live, learn, work and visit. Our primary focus is on regeneration, tourism and business development. We work with Torridge District Council, North Devon Council, Devon County Council and the private sector to deliver projects and initiatives that encourage and support business growth, improve quality of life, and address social and economic inequalities. North Devon is a member of the National Enterprise Network. To find out more visit www.northdevonplus.co.uk
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