The South West's most incredible and authentic independent food, drink and lifestyle businesses were honoured at the Food Lifestyle Awards 2024, which took place at Nancarrow Farm in Cornwall. 

Hosted by Food Lifestyle magazine, the awards were the culmination of thousands of votes cast across 10 new award categories. Championing independence and high quality over chain restaurants and pubs and identikit experiences which can be found across the UK, Food Lifestyle Awards shine a light on the outstanding experiences that the South West has to offer. 

Here's who won:

Chef of the Year – sponsored by Knightor Winery

Winner: Adam Handling, The Ugly Butterfly, Carbis Bay

Finalists:

Cass Titcombe, Brassica Restaurant

Connor Reed, River Cottage

Elly Wentworth, The Angel of Dartmouth

Paul Ainsworth, Paul Ainsworth at No6

 

Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Trencherman's Guide

Winner: The Angel of Dartmouth

Finalists:

Appleton's Bar & Restaurant, Fowey

Bristol Lido, Bristol

Restaurant Mine, Falmouth

Root, Wells

 

Pub of the Year – sponsored by Thatchers

Winner: The Queen's Arms, Corton Denham

Finalists: 

Harbour Inn, Porthleven

The Cotley Inn, Chard

The Tartan Fox, Newquay

The Tolcarne Inn, Newlyn

 

Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Trevethan Distillery

Winner: The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury

Finalists:

Bedruthan, Mawgan Porth

Homewood, Bath

The Greenbank Hotel, Falmouth

The Pig at Harlyn Bay, Padstow

 

Casual Dining Experience – sponsored by Trewithen Dairy

Winner: Darts Farm, Topsham

Finalists

FARA, Glastonbury

Sacred Grounds, Exeter

Situ, Penryn

St Eia, St Ives

Exceptional Spa Experience – sponsored by South West 660

Winner: Gaia Spa, Boringdon Hall, Plymouth

Finalists:

Chewton Glen, New Forest

Gara Rock, Salcombe

Scarlet, Mawgan Porth

The Headland, Newquay

 

Cool place to stay – sponsored by Bramley

Winner: Star & Garter, Falmouth

Finalists:

Atlanta Trevone, Padstow

Durslade Farmhouse, Bruton

The Collective at Woolsery, north Devon

Wildcomfort, Dartmouth

 

Drink Brand of the Year – sponsored by Indy Coffee Guide

Winner: Yallah Coffee, Cornwall

Finalists

Girls Who Grind, Warminster

Loveday Distilling, Cornwall

Somerset Cider Brandy, Somerset

Trevethan Distillery, Cornwall

 

Food Brand of the Year – sponsored by Indy Coffee Guide

Winner: St. Ewe

Finalists:

Black Bee Honey

Cornish Sea Salt

Cut to the Smoke

Granny Gothards

 

Outstanding Retail Experience – sponsored by Ellis Wines

Winner: Durslade Farm Shop, Bruton

Finalists:

Botanica Studio, Bath

Nkuku, Harbertonford, Devon

Rise Market & Bakery, Bridport, Somerset

Sunshine & Snow, Bideford, Devon

Food Lifestyle magazine editor, Jo Rees, commenting on the awards, said: “This year's Awards were a veritable who's who of the outstanding businesses from Cornwall to the Cotswolds and showcase just how sophisticated the South West has become. 

“The region rivals any in the UK for cool places to stay, eat, visit and shop but has its own particular flavour that everyone who has experienced it will recognise. We host the awards each year to honour the community of independent businesses, suppliers, growers, makers and creatives and everyone who relies on those industries.”

The celebratory supper and awards ceremony at Nancarrow featured a feast cooked by the Nancarrow team led by head chef Jack Bristow. It included dishes such as ricotta ravioli with heritage tomato, lovage and Old Winchester, and grilled hispi cabbage with lamb-fat crumb, Cornish seaweed and shallot.

Wines were supplied by Ellis Wines, aperitifs were provided by Thatchers and Trevethan Distillery, and the meal ended with speciality caffeination from Yallah Coffee. The Food Lifestyle Awards 2024 were supported by Bramley, Churchill, Darts Farm, Ellis Wines, Knightor Winery, South West 660, Thatchers, Trevethan Distillery and Trewithen Dairy.