THE winners of the inaugural Hereford Times Food and Drink Awards were announced at a gala evening last night.

Nominees and guests gathered at Lye Arundel, Hereford, for the eagerly awaited ceremony, which celebrated excellence and achievement in the industry.

The prestigious Food and Drink Business of the Year award for the best of the best went to The Riverside Inn at Aymestrey, near Leominster.

Sue Griffiths, Midlands events director for Newsquest Media, the publisher of the Hereford Times, organised the event.

She said: "We have had a fabulous response to these awards.

"Herefordshire is rightly renowned for the quality of its food and drink and we are so pleased to help recognise those in the industry who have excelled."

The winners were:

Best Butcher of the Year: Ogleby Butchers

Best Café/Tearoom: De Koffie Pot

Best Dairy Producer: Monkland Cheese Dairy

Best Brewer : Swan Brewery

Best Restaurant/Dining Pub: The Riverside Inn at Aymestrey

Best Cider Producer: Celtic Marches Beverages

Community Pub of the Year: The Pandy Inn

Best Independent Food and Drink Retailer: The Green Bean Shop

Best Drinks Producer (non cider/ale/beer): Black Mountain Botanicals

Best Farm Shop: Pengethley Farm Shop

Best Food Product (no dairy): Myrtle's Kitchen

Food and Drink Business of the Year: The Riverside Inn at Aymestrey

On the night we asked guests to donate to our charity for the evening, Megan Baker House. Our generous guests gave £1,000 to the charity near Leominster. 

58 photos from the Hereford Times Food and Drink Awards