A CREDITON businesswoman said she is “over the moon” after her business was awarded the title of Retailer of the Year at the 11th Devon Food Drink Devon Awards.

Emma Hookway, with her exceptional team, runs The Kitchen@25 Delicatessen and Bistro, situated on Crediton High Street.

It specialises in using the highest quality, locally sourced products and ingredients.

On Monday, October 3, a total of 330 individuals from Devon’s finest food and drink producers, hospitality and catering businesses and speciality retailers celebrated in style at the esteemed Food Drink Devon Awards.

The awards’ ceremony took place at Crowne Plaza Plymouth and was hosted by Devon-based comedian, author and food lover, Tony Hawks.

Food Drink Devon said: “The Kitchen@25, Crediton triumphed in the ‘Best Retailer’ category, impressing judges with their ‘range of Devon produce and knowledgeable and friendly staff’.”

Emma said after receiving the honour: “Thank you Crediton for all your support! Last night in Plymouth at the Food Drink Devon awards we won the best retailer of the year in Devon!

“We are absolutely over the moon and it means so much to us all that we have your continued support. We will be celebrating with loads of Special offers next week.

“We’re still getting our heads round it and are all buzzing to the moon and back! We can’t wait to welcome you in at The Kitchen@25.”

It was not just a success for Emma and The Kitchen@25, it was also a success for other Mid Devon businesses, really recognising the importance of high quality food and drink in the area.

From the 270 product entries, all of which were blind-tasted by independent judges, 10 really impressed, achieving a faultless score of 100 per cent and a “Platinum” award.

Deserving producers and their products included Andrew King Chocolates and his “Signature Eighteen” selection.

Andrew King Chocolates is based at North Tawton.

Utopian Brewing fought off stiff competition to claim “Drink Product of the Year” for its Doppelbock strong larger.

Utopian Brewing, which also received a “Platinum” award, is based at Clannaborough, near Bow.

The Tors, in Belstone near Okehampton, was the proud winner of the “Best Pub” category with judges commending it for its “appetising food and happy, helpful and pleasant staff”.

The “Food Product of the Year” accolade went to Granny Gothards of Willand for its Strawberries and Cream ice cream.

Hedgerow Print of Crediton was one of the award sponsors.

Commenting on the awards, Chair of Food Drink Devon, Greg Parsons, said: “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.

“Myself and the board of directors wish to congratulate all of this year’s deserved winners and shortlisted entrants.”

Each year judging for the awards is carried out by a panel of independent and unbiased experts including a number of celebrated names from the region.  All results and winners are verified by an independent adjudicator, with entrants receiving the opportunity to benefit from invaluable feedback provided by the panel.

Food Drink Devon is committed to increasing the county’s profile, both nationally and internationally and represents a membership of Devon’s leading food and drink producers, speciality retailers, hospitality and catering businesses.

Through working with like-minded businesses, together they showcase Devon as a county where the use of fantastic quality, seasonal and local produce is standard.

The organisation and its members share a commitment to enjoy, inspire and discover more about food and drink.  Look out for their green heart logo which is carried by over 350 producers and businesses across Devon. 

For more information on Food Drink Devon visit: fooddrinkdevon.co.uk and follow @FoodDrinkDevon on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.   A full list of all the winners can be found at: www.fooddrinkdevon.co.uk/awards .