Introducing the winners of the 2025 Food Drink Devon Awards
The Best of the Best have been crowned, so let's introduce you to our worthy winners. Now you can book a table, grab your shopping bag, track them down at your local farm shop, deli or online.
Sustainability Pioneer Award
Frobishers Juices
This year our Sustainability Pioneer is Frobishers Juices. Frobishers stood out for their deep-rooted commitment to sustainability, championing responsible sourcing, reducing packaging waste, and cutting carbon emissions. They became a Certified B Corp in 2024 and are a carbon-neutral business. "Frobishers are a prime example of how business can be a force for good and clearly so committed to actions over words. It is also very clear that they have worked hard to create a culture of caring."
Find out more about their sustainable initiatives here.
Hospitality Awards
Chef of the Year | Craig Beacham
Congratulations go to Craig Beacham, Head Chef at Sandy Park, the region's leading conference, banqueting and events centre, and home to Exeter Chiefs. Awarded in recognition of his achievements in providing consistently high quality and delicious food for the last three award ceremonies to 450+ people. Craig has also been generous with his time, welcoming Exeter College students into his kitchen so they could play their part in the awards dinner.
Craig will feature in our November Chef Spotlight
Best Restaurant | Crab Shed Salcombe
Crab Shed Salcombe is a vibrant quayside seafood restaurant, stylish and relaxed. Perched on the waterside overlooking Salcombe harbour, with a light and bright interior and deck. Their fresh fish and shellfish - including the world famous Salcombe brown crab - are sourced directly from the fishermen who land their sustainable catches at Fish Quay in Salcombe. The judges thought it was "genuinely exceptional". They loved the combination of informality with the very high standards. The obvious passion for what they do shone through.
Best Fine Dining Restaurant | Mill End Hotel, Chagford
Mill End's two AA Rosette restaurant offers classically British menus and beautifully presented dishes. From breakfasts to evening meals, to indulgent afternoon tea or a spectacular Sunday lunch each dish is crafted from locally sourced, seasonally changing ingredients. Judges loved the food which was "well considered, well balanced and excellently presented".
Best Hotel Restaurant | Two Bridges, Dartmoor
On the banks of the West Dart River, with magnificent Dartmoor in every direction, the Two Bridges Hotel has been named Best Hotel Restaurant for the second year in a row. Open to everyone for lunch, dinner, morning coffee and a much-loved Devon Cream Tea. The judges were impressed by the "friendliness and smartness of the staff, the delicious and well-presented food", which combined with the gorgeous location gave them a "truly special experience".
Pub of the Year | The Chagford Inn
Crowned Best Pub thanks to its outstanding, ingredient-led menus, warm hospitality, and passionate focus on seasonal, locally sourced food that celebrates Devon on every plate. Chef Ollie and partner Jordan provide outstanding service in a relaxed atmosphere. Our judge thought it was the "best pub they had ever judged" and enjoyed a very special meal in an informal and cheerful setting. "The delicious food was all beautifully presented with a lovely contrast of colours and textures".
Best Bar | Arcadia by Utopian, Exeter
Arcadia in Exeter opened in March 2025 and is a vibrant bar and eatery showcasing an ever-changing range of Utopian lagers and other independent beers and ciders, with varied local and international wine selection. Arcadia is a relaxed, welcoming venue, perfect for casual drinks. The judges thought the staff were "really attentive, the venue unique and the selection of local and craft beers unrivalled".
Cafe of the Year | Alder Vineyard, Lewdown
This is a spot to linger over breakfast, morning coffee or a long lunch - with open sandwiches stacked on homemade sourdough, and sharing platters loaded with local cheese and charcuterie. This is a wonderful, welcoming, modern cafe with stunning views and service to match. The judges thought this was "an exceptional lunch spot with faultless service, and food which was full of flavour".
Alder Vineyard Kitchen & Bar website
Takeaway of the Year | The Duck at Yeoford
Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Chef James provides his fabulous food to takeaway, from Braised Brisket of Beef with Horseradish Mash, to fish and chips, burgers and Sunday Lunch. What started out as a pop-up in lockdown is now a firm fixture of this stylish country pub and restaurant.
The judges thought the food was vibrant and delicious. They received a lovely welcome and were "delighted to find a real gem which they will go back to again and again".
People's Choice Hospitality Award | The Cottage Hotel at Hope Cove
This year, for the first time, we handed the judging of an award over to you, our community of food and drink lovers. You voted in your thousands and we're delighted to announce that the inaugural winner of the People's Choice Hospitatlity Award is The Cottage Hotel in Hope Cove.
The family-run Cottage Hotel describes itself as "quirky and traditional, it provides guests with simple accommodation, good honest food, a friendly welcome and old fashioned service, reminiscent of bygone times". Voters mentioned "Exceptional service, lovely staff, scenic location with fantastic views. Delicious, freshly prepared and locally sourced food. A brilliant family run business".
Congratulations to the Ireland Family!
The five businesses with the most votes who made up the shortlist in The People's Choice Award were Crave Exeter, Offshore Torquay, Orchard Kitchen Buckfastleigh, The Cottage Hotel and The Beach Pub Exmouth.
Food & Drink Product Awards
Each year we choose two best food products, rewarding established foods and the new kids on the block.
Best Food | Good Game: Devon Ruby Beef Bresaola
A classic Devon Ruby Bresaola made from local, dry-aged beef silverside from Good Game, who hand produce a range of high quality charcuterie, cured using only salt and a careful selection of herbs and spices. Based in Topsham, Good Game supports local producers and farmers, using native breed animals that have lived a good life in the outdoors. The judges thought the flavour of the Bresaola was "incredible, with layer upon layer of depth" which kept them going back for more.
Best New Food | Chunk of Devon: Butter Chicken Curry Pasty
This new curry pasty from pie and pasty maker, Chunk, features tender hunks of chicken, peppers, potato, tomato, cumin, turmeric, coconut and a little lime juice. Wrapped in pastry with a dash of extra turmeric and topped with a few nigella seeds. It's one of a large range of tasty snacks made in their Ottery St Mary factory. All available by post and in lots of Devon retailers. The judges loved the "beautiful tender chicken and the well spiced depth of flavour", they enjoyed every mouthful.
Best Drink | TORS Distillery: Vodka
Pure Dartmoor spring water is blended with British soft winter wheat spirit to create a Vodka like no other, a process which takes up to three months, creating a wonderfully smooth tasting Vodka. The judges loved the "clean, refreshing, smooth and well balanced flavour".
Best New Drink | Sandford Orchards: Red Zero
New Red Zero is an alcohol free version of Sandford's best selling Devon Red, with all of the taste but none of the alcohol. Red Zero is refreshing and balanced, packed with whole juice flavour and a hint of sweetness. The judges loved this alcohol free cider with its "clean, refreshing taste and lovely finish". They couldn’t believe it was alcohol free.
Devon Wine of the Year | Huxbear Vineyard: Blanc de Blancs 2021
Huxbear Blanc de Blancs 2021 is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes on this family-owned wine estate in the Teign Valley, just outside Chudleigh. The Huxbear website says this winning wine "has fine, persistent bubbles and delicate aromas of green apple, sultana, apricot, toasted almonds and brioche. Expect flavours of mulberry, lemon cheesecake and a clean minerality with a candied lemon and sourdough finish". Order a bottle now for your next celebration!
The judging panel - led by wine writer and expert Susy Atkins - found it to have a "stunning flavour with a lovely integration of fruit and acidity".
Retailer Awards
Best Retailer | The Heavi Deli, Heavitree, Exeter
A relatively new deli and cafe in Heavitree, Exeter. Owners Kate and Owen are on a mission to bring sustainable, exceptional and ethical foods to their local community and beyond. They have partnered with many fellow Food Drink Devon members and are constantly forging new relationships and connections to educate and share products and foodie knowledge, whether in a chat over their counter or at an in-store event.
Our judge commented, "a friendly and well stocked deli with local and sustainable at its core – an ethos which comes over strongly in all communication and in store".
Best Online Retailer | Devon Hampers
For the second year running, Devon Hampers have scooped this award, and rightly so! They personally select a fantastic range of products from Devon and Cornwall and curate them in bespoke hampers or let you ‘build your own’. Perfect for any taste and occasion, they make wonderful gifts... and they're delivered fresh right to your door! The judges welcomed the "easy shopping experience and ordering process", then enjoyed the "great local produce which was all well presented in a lovely hamper and delivered on time."
Best Training School | Ground Up Cookery School
Situated in the countryside near Chudleigh, Ground Up Cookery School champions local, foraged, and sustainable ingredients and practices. They offer a wide range of courses from Christmas baking to seashore foraging and plenty more besides, for all interests, abilities, and ages - from home cook to professional chefs looking to refine their skills.
The judge thought "the tutor’s passion for ferments and preserving seasonal produce was infectious" and he was generous with his time and knowledge. The course "exceeded all their expectations".
Ground Up Cookery School website
Platinum, Gold and Silver Awards
We also awarded 30 Platinum Awards this year, to products ranging from tea to turkey, rum to runny honey, cake to crab meat.
Click HERE to read the full list of this year’s Platinum, Gold and Silver Awards, all of them are very well worth tracking down. Congratulations to you all.
A reminder that judging is conducted blind. Eateries and retailers are ‘mystery-shopped’ and food and drink is tasted and judged without packaging, so you know you can trust our experts’ judgement.