GLORIOUS weather, a beautiful venue and a wonderful meal all contributed to the success of Blackmore Vale Media's third annual Taste of Somerset Awards.

Food businesses, farm shop owners, farmers market managers and representatives of some of the county's finest pubs and restaurants gathered at The Longhouse at Mill on the Brue, Bruton, for the awards evening on Friday.

Guests, who included Bob and Linda Farrand of the Guild of Fine Food, based at Wincanton, with finalists, sponsors and judges enjoyed canapes and a menu featuring local fare produced by Jon Thorner, Somerset Cider Brandy Company, Somerset Farmers Market members, Whiterow farm shop, Kimbers Farm Shop, Mendip Moments icecream, Godminster Vintage, Taylors Traditional Bakers, Orchard Pig, Wootton Organic Dairy, Fussells and Deers Leap.

The major award of the night as usual was BV Media's Harmsworth Award for outstanding contribution to food in Somerset, and the winner this year was Judith Freane of Pilton-based Brown Cow Organics.

The other Harmsworth finalists were Pylle-based Jon Thorner and Louise Hall of Somerset Farmers' Markets.

The judges were BV Media chief reporter Mat Manning and Taste of Dorset 2010 Harmsworth winner Sue Fudge of Fudge's bakery. They were particularly impressed with how the Freane family combined traditional farming with admirable business integrity and an awareness of the importance of marketing and innovation.

As well as great beef, which is butchered on-site, Brown Cow Organics at Perridge Farm also produces yoghurt, crème fraiche and panna cottas. The business even uses animal hides from its Guernsey stock to produce rugs and bags for the retail trade.

This year's awards included new categories for innovation and organic food production. The award for Best Organic Business went to the BVM's own organic gardening columnist, vegetable grower and gardening writer Charles Dowding from Shepton Montague.

A collaboration between Fussels Fine Foods and Deer's Leap, both based near Frome, resulted in a chilli oil that topped the Innovation class.

Blackmore Vale Media group editor Fanny Charles said: "It was a very enjoyable evening in a beautiful setting.

"Thanks must go to all our sponsors. These are very hard times for all of us, and investing in these awards, to celebrate and promote our local food and drink businesses and producers, shows faith in the future.

"I must also thank all the generous sponsors who have given services and food and drink for this marvellous meal, and for the wonderful launch party we had at At The Chapel in Bruton earlier in the year."

Mathew Manning.

Pictures by Ian Sumner

Results (finalists and winners)

Best Restaurant

Sponsored by Michael Eavis, Glastonbury Extravaganza

Cedar Restaurant, Holbrook House, Wincanton (winner)

Archangel, Frome

At The Chapel, Bruton

Best Dining Pub

Sponsored by Holbrook House Hotel

The Montague Inn, Shepton Montague (winner)

The Three Horseshoes, Batcombe

The Kings Arms, Charlton Horethorne

Best Local Pub

Sponsored by Godminster Vintage

The Griffin, Frome (winner)

The Castle Inn, Bruton

The Travellers Rest, East Pennard

Best Farm Shop

Sponsored by Hall & Woodhouse and Wincanton Racecourse

White Row Country Foods, Beckington (winner)

The Trading Post, South Petherton

Jon Thorner, Pylle

Best Independent Food Shop

Sponsored by Enigma Pottery

Pumpkin Deli & Café, Wedmore (winner)

Oates & Musson, Castle Cary

Martin's of Castle Cary

Best Meat Producer

Sponsored by the Somerset Distillery and Somerset Farmers' Markets

Kimbers' Traditional Farm Produce, Charlton Musgrove (winner)

Brown Cow Organics, Pilton

Pitney Farm Shop, Pitney

Best Farmers' Market

Sponsored by At The Chapel

Wells (winner)

Wincanton

Axbridge

Frome

Best Drinks Producer

Sponsored by Mill on the Brue

Milk Street Brewery, Frome (winner)

The Somerset Distillery, Kingsbury Episcopi

Fosseway Cider, East Pennard

Best Dairy Producer

Sponsored by Riverford Organic and Jon Thorner

Wootton Organic Dairy, North Wootton

Barber's, Maryland Farm, Ditcheat (winner)

Somerset Dairy, Bruton

Best Organic Business

Sponsored by Blackmore Limited

Charles Dowding Organic Gardening, Shepton Montague (winner)

Flaxdrayton Organic Farm, Drayton

Godminster Vintage, Bruton

Innovation Award

Sponsored by the Montague Inn

Fussels Fine Foods, with Deers Leap chilli oil (winner)

Glastonbury Wood-Fired Pizza Company

Hammonds County Hampers

Harmsworth Award

Sponsored by Blackmore Vale Media

Brown Cow Organics, Pilton (winner)

Jon Thorner, Pylle

Somerset Farmers' Markets

There will be another report in next week's Fosse Way Magazine with more details about all the winners and finalists.