Last chance to enter the 2013 Food & Drink Devon Awards

Businesses from across Devon are being reminded that they have just a few weeks left to enter the 2013 Food & Drink Devon Awards.

Entries for the awards, which are being run independently by Food & Drink Devon, close to all Devon-based food companies on Friday 3 May. This year there are four categories for organisations to enter:

Taste of Devon – for restaurants, cafes, bistros and pubs. Sponsored by Luscombe Drinks.

Devon Producer – for primary and secondary producers.

Devon Retailer – for farm shops, delis, food halls and other food shops. Sponsored by Exeter-based Stephen Scown Solicitors.

Outstanding Contribution – for any business that, throughout the judging process, has demonstrated an outstanding achievement in their area. Sponsored by The Venus Company.

The finalists of the Taste of Devon Awards will be automatically entered into the Devon Tourism Awards, with the potential to win at county, regional and national level. Special Gold’s will also be awarded to outstanding products entered for Devon Producer.

Michael Smith, Chairman of Food & Drink Devon, says: “Devon has some of the very best food businesses in the whole of the country and as someone who is passionate about high-quality, locally produced food and drink, the awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase their product. They are also a great way of increasing the county’s profile, championing our reputation and indeed promoting these companies who make up a major part of our local economy – this is incredibly important.”

He adds: “There are just a few weeks left now for businesses to get their award entries in and I would encourage as many as possible to take part. Apart from the prestige of using award success in your marketing if you’re a winner, every entrant will get new and improved valuable feedback on their entry.”

The independent panel of experienced judges will mystery shop the Taste of Devon and Devon Retailer entries and blind-taste the Devon Producer entries.

Michael Smith says: “For the small investment of time to complete your entry, you get a confidential appraisal of your products and services as they are presented to your everyday customers, to help you maintain and improve your quality standards. Think of it as mystery shopper feedback, which can be so useful to a company's evolution. I would like to wish each entrant good luck and we look forward to receiving the entries.”

Entry remains free of charge, however for 2013; there is an introduction of a small fee for any additional products entered. This is aimed at helping to improve the quality of the judge’s feedback and the judging process. The extended timetable is also designed to allow for a series of more specific tasting sessions, with qualified experts in each category.

Judging will take place over the following three months and a prestigious awards ceremony will take place in October.

More information about the awards and all entry forms can be downloaded from www.lovetheflavour.co.uk

Any questions about the awards can be emailed to awards@lovetheflavour.co.uk