THE recent Taste of the West awards saw three businesses from the Post area win in their categories, illustrating the region’s strength in the food industry.

The awards, which celebrate the very best food, drink and hospitality in the West of Britain, recently held its ceremony on Tuesday, October 4 in Exeter Cathedral, welcoming over 400 people.

Businesses and nominees were invited to attend, to enjoy a day of meeting fellow people in the industry, as well as trying the various delicious bites and drink some of the very best beverages in the region.

Deli Farm Charcuterie, in Delabole, was announced the winner of Champion Cured Meat. Run by partners Jean and Martin Edwards, Deli Farm sells some of the finest dried meats, as well as snacks, seasonings and more.

Jean was ecstatic with her business’ achievement. She told the Post: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won. We entered the Taste of the West awards ten years ago and won Champion Product back then, but we haven’t entered since. So to have won first time again since entering ten years ago is absolutely brilliant.”

The awards seemed to be a great opportunity for people to mix and get to know their fellow competitors in the industry, as Jean explained: “The ceremony was held at Exeter Cathedral, which is an absolutely beautiful place. It was nice to catch up with people. When working in the industry, you find yourself getting quite involved and isolated from everything else. We knew quite a few people at the ceremony, so it was really nice to catch up and have a chat with people we haven’t seen in a while.”

To enter a business into the process, they would have to enter their products, which would go off for tasting during July.

The product would then be classed as gold, silver, bronze, highly commended or wouldn’t receive an award at all. If a product has received an award, they could be chosen to be in the top three, which makes up the final selection.

More samples of the product would be sent off and tasted, and the businesses are then invited to a grand luncheon and the awards ceremony.

As well as the Taste of the West awards, Jean and Martin have also entered prestigious awards such as the Great Taste Awards, and have won something every time.

Jean added: “We enter something each year and we have received an award every time, which is fantastic. It’s great to have endorsement of your products, and to have won an award this year at the Taste of the West awards is absolutely brilliant.”

Staff at Lifton Farm Shop were delighted to hear they had won Best Farm Shop.

Laura Mounce, part of the management team, said: “The event was a culinary feast and a great celebration of the quality of food and drink in the South West and the passion of those who produce, serve or sell it.”

Judges deemed Lifton Farm Shop a ‘first class establishment’ with a ‘committed and professional family and supported by enthusiastic staff’. They added: “They are achieving a level of excellence to which most can only aspire.”

Laura told the Post that this is a great achievement for the farm shop, adding to their portfolio of awards previously gained. She added: “We are so proud to have achieve this award, but couldn’t have done it without the amazing team of staff that we have.”

There were also celebrations as the Boscastle Farm Shop won the Best South West Cafe/Tea Room category.