Entries open for 2026 Food Drink Devon Awards

The countdown is under way as entries officially open for the 2026 Food Drink Devon Awards, celebrating the very best of the county’s thriving food and drink scene.

Following the success of last year’s event, the awards will once again recognise excellence across Devon, from artisan producers and innovative brands to cafés, pubs, restaurants, bars, takeaways and retailers. Widely regarded as the gold standard for food and drink in the county, the awards aim to showcase the talent, creativity and passion that make Devon a leading food and drink destination.

Entries are open to both Food Drink Devon members and non-members, with applications closing on Monday 30 March. Winners will be announced at a black-tie awards ceremony on Monday 5 October.

The 2026 awards feature a wide range of categories reflecting the diversity of Devon’s food and drink industry. Producer Awards include Food Product of the Year, Drink Product of the Year, Best New Food Product and Best New Drink Product, alongside Devon Wine of the Year, which celebrates wines grown, produced and bottled in the county.

Retail categories cover Best Retailer, Best Online Retailer and the newly introduced Best Wholesaler/Distributor award. Hospitality Awards include Chef of the Year, Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Best Restaurant, Best Hotel Restaurant, Best Pub (food-led), Best Bar (wet-led), Best Café, Best Takeaway or Street Food, Best Training School and the Sustainability Pioneer Award. A new Best Casual Dining category has also been introduced for 2026.

The popular People’s Choice Award will return, allowing members of the public to vote for their favourite hospitality venue.

Jack Pickering, board director of Food Drink Devon, said: “For more than 14 years, the awards have celebrated the people and businesses that make Devon’s food and drink scene so special. We’re proud to champion those who are making a real impact both locally and beyond.”

He added: “Our 2025 awards received the highest number of entries to date, with a sell-out black-tie ceremony attended by 470 guests, a real demonstration of the strength and success of Devon’s food and drink industry.”

All entrants have the opportunity to achieve bronze, silver, gold or platinum status. Judging is carried out blind by a panel of independent experts, with product labels obscured and hospitality and retail venues assessed anonymously. Following a rigorous judging process, results are verified by an independent adjudicator, and entrants receive a detailed feedback report to support business development.

Food Drink Devon represents more than 370 producers, retailers, hospitality venues and related businesses across the county. With a focus on quality, sustainability and provenance, the organisation works to promote Devon’s culinary reputation at both national and international level.

Further information about the 2026 Food Drink Devon Awards is available at members.fooddrinkdevon.co.uk/awards. More details about Food Drink Devon can be found at www.fooddrinkdevon.co.uk or by following @FoodDrinkDevon on Facebook and Instagram.