Directors and Staff were among nearly 300 people attending the Blackmore Vale Taste of Dorset Awards Gala Dinner at the George Albert Hotel in Evershot on Tuesday 3rd November, 2015. An event to celebrate the achievements of food producers across Dorset and where winners of all categories received their awards.

Introducing the award ceremony Tim Lethaby, Editor at Blackmore Vale Media, said: “Many people say that tourism is the most important industry in our fine county, but the influence of Dorset’s food and drink sector must not be overlooked. Dorset has a proud tradition of agriculture, drink and food, and the county boasts everything from meat, fish, fruit and veg to wine, beer and cider. Altogether, 77% of Dorset’s land is farmed and this, coupled with the thousands of people who are employed in the food and drink industries, shows how vital these businesses are.

Kate Adie hosted the awards and entertained the audience with entertaining, food related anecdotes from her work across the world. Now living in Dorset she confirmed the wealth of local food and produce that is available to all to enjoy.

BV Dairy were pleased to sponsor the ‘Best Dining Pub or Restaurant’ awards which was won by The Riverside Seafood Restaurant at West Bay. Janet and Arthur Watson, owners since 1964, can be seen collecting their award from MD, Jim Highnam.

Other award winners were:

Best Butcher – Paul Keating Butchers
Best Bakery – Patisserie Mark Bennett
Best Dairy Producer – Chalke Valley Cheese
Best Meat or Fish – The Langton Arms Butchery
Best Cider Producer – The Copse House Cider Co Ltd
Best Brewer – Sixpenny Brewery
Best Ready to Eat – Hidden Pizza
Best Independent Tea Room or Café – Yellow Bicycle Café
Best Community Pub – The Ropemakers, Bridport
Lifetime Achievement Award – Barbara Cossins
Food or Drink Business of the Year – The Langton Arms, Tarrant Monkton

Clair Pengilly, Publisher at Blackmore Vale Media, closed the evening’s event. She said: “As you can probably imagine, to choose the winners from such a formidable field of entries was very difficult indeed but I hope you’ll agree with me that everyone tonight whether they’ve won a trophy or been nominated, are winners in their own right and have helped to contribute towards a real night of celebration. It is clear from the awards tonight that these communities have many successful food and drink businesses at their heart, and we will continue to support and promote the finest our area has to offer.”