Two food businesses enjoyed a welcome day of travelling to Bristol for the Taste of the West Awards Ceremony 2014.

The ceremony was held in @Bristol, one of the UK’s biggest and most interactive science centres, with 300 attendees included the region’s leading food and drink producers, top retailers, hospitality establishments, food writers, buyers and chefs.

Earlier in the month, both Aroma Café and the Town Mill Cheesemonger were delighted to learn that not only had they earned ‘gold’ status, but had also been shortlisted in their categories.

At the event, both businesses were delighted to be recognised as ‘Best in the West’.

Award entrants are subject to a surprise visit from a mystery guest, who assesses their commitment to using great local produce, quality of service, value for money and most importantly, the quality of the food on offer.

Aroma had been pipped to the post in last year’s competition but despite even hotter competition this year, was crowned the judges’ favourite Café/Tea Room in the the south west for 2014.

Aroma’s owner John Kellas, whose full team attended the event, said: “It was great to receive the award – it’s recognition for all the hard work that the team put into making our café a firm favourite with Lyme’s locals and visitors alike.”

In addition, the Town Mill Cheesemonger won Best Specialty Retailer/Delicatessen for the second time, having previously won in 2012.

Cheesemonger Justin Tunstall said: “Our team are consistently praised for knowing what they’re talking about and it’s lovely to have dealt with our mystery shoppers in a manner that clearly impressed them.

“I was delighted to see how many of our suppliers won awards in the produce categories – including Mendip Moments whose banana and salted caramel ice cream is not only the West’s best but a personal weakness.”

Both businesses say that these wins further cement Lyme Regis’ reputation as one of the south West’s major destinations for food-lovers, boasting an impressive range of restaurants, cafés, dining pubs and food shops of the highest calibre.