The finalists have been announced for this year’s Food Drink Devon Awards, with the winners to be revealed next month.

The awards are open to members and non-members of Food Drink Devon and include categories for producers, retailers, hospitality businesses and sustainability pioneers.

Since entries closed at the end of March the judges have sampled more than 280 products and visited 110 hospitality venues, 12 retail outlets and five training schools in their search for the very best in Devon.

There are also People’s Choice awards in the hospitality and best food/drink product categories, voted for by the public. The shortlist for these awards will be revealed after votes close on September 13; so far there have been more than 100 nominations for hospitality venues and over 300 for ‘best food/drink product’.

All the winners will be revealed at a ceremony on Monday, October 5 at Sandy Park in Exeter, home of Premiership rugby team the Exeter Chiefs.

The shortlisted businesses include producers of sweet and savoury items, meats, jams, chutneys, ales, ciders, wines and confectionery. Finalists are also automatically in the running for ‘product of the year’ awards in the food, drink, new food, new drink and wine categories.

Dawlish-based companies are well represented among the product finalists: the shortlist includes Shepherd Shack and Forest Fungi, both in Dawlish Warren, and chocolate/confectionary business The Melting Whisk.

Newton Abbot-based Boo Chi Kombucha, Huxbear Vineyard - also in Newton Abbot - and the Kingsteignton-based bakery Truly Treats are also included.

The Bucket and Spade Cafe in Shaldon has made it on to the shortlist in the hospitality category, along with the Chagford Inn and Amelia’s Cafe at Cotton Holidays.

Finalists for the best training school include Ashburton Cookery School, Barbers Bean to Bar in Totnes and Ground Up Cookery School in Chudleigh.

The Chagford Inn, Cofton Holidays and the Ground Up Cookery School are also on the shortlist for the Sustainability Pioneer award.

Food Drink Devon board director Jack Pickering said: “It’s a privilege to unveil this year’s shortlist, particularly as we mark the 15th anniversary of the awards.

“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.

“We are incredibly proud of all our finalists and look forward to celebrating their success.”

Food Drink Devon board director, wine writer and presenter, Susy Atkins, said:“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. I’m very pleased to see such a talented group of producers getting the recognition they deserve through the awards.”