The countdown to the 2026 Food Drink Devon Awards has begun, with an outstanding list of finalists announced. The list showcases the best products, dining, retail and learning experiences the county has to offer.
Entries closed at the end of March. Since then, a panel of respected judges and industry experts has carefully evaluated an impressive number of submissions. The judges sampled more than 280 products, visited 110 hospitality venues, explored 12 retail outlets and experienced five training schools in their search for the very best in Devon.
Winners will be revealed at Food Drink Devon's black-tie awards ceremony on Monday, October 5, at Sandy Park, home of Premiership rugby team Exeter Chiefs. Now in its 15th year, the awards continue to highlight the county's exceptional food and drink sector.
Food Drink Devon board director Jack Pickering said: "The standard of entries in 2026 has been truly exceptional, showcasing the sheer breadth of innovation within Devon’s food and drink scene. From artisan producers to vibrant hospitality venues, the shortlist highlights the remarkable passion, creativity and sustainability that defines our county's industry."
Shortlisted businesses in the Product Awards cover a wide variety of items, including sweet and savoury foods, meats, preserves, jams, chutneys, ales, ciders, wines and confectionery. Finalists are also automatically in the running for Food Product of the Year, Drink Product of the Year, New Food Product of the Year, New Drink Product of the Year and Devon Wine of the Year. Some of this year's South Hams product finalists include Devon Microgreens (Stoke Gabriel), Dartmouth Foods, Crabshed Salcombe, Salcombe Dairy, Langage Farm, South Devon Chilli Farm and more.
Food Drink Devon board director, wine writer and presenter Susy Atkins commented on the drink entries: "It’s been a standout year for the awards, not just because of the number of entries but because of the brilliant quality we’ve seen. Looking through the submissions the quality and standard really shone through, Devon’s drinks scene is buzzing with creativity."
In the Retail Awards, entries have been whittled down for the Best Retailer and Best Online Retailer titles, ranging from top-end delicatessens to village stores. This year's finalists include Aune Valley Meat (Loddiswell), Aune Valley Meat (Modbury), Ben's Farm Shop (Totnes) and Devon Rum Co (Salcombe).
The hospitality section features establishments competing in eight fiercely contested categories: Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Best Restaurant, Best Hotel Restaurant, Best Pub, Best Bar, Best Café, Best Takeaway and the new 2026 category, Best Casual Dining. Shortlisted venues in the restaurant and pub categories include Burgh Island Hotel (Bigbury-on-Sea), Crab Shed Salcombe and The Pilchard Inn. Finalists in the café, takeaway and bar categories include Bigbury Pay Pizzas, Devon Rum Co and Fika Coffee House.
Finalists for the Best Training School award include Bean to Bar (Totnes). Covering food production, preparation, retailing, cooking and service, the Food Drink Devon Awards honour businesses demonstrating a consistent commitment to quality, sustainability, provenance, excellent customer service and support for their local communities. Each year, judging is carried out by a panel of independent and unbiased experts, including celebrated names from the region.
Finalists Named for 2026 Devon Food Drink Awards