Just announced is the news that the environmentally friendly, Venus Company’s 3 Devon Cafes are 3 of only 4 Tea Room/Cafés in Devon to win the coveted 2006 Taste of the West Food and Drink Gold Award in the hospitality and retail class. “As a beacon café and take away, it would be hard to better the Venus Café concept” was the Devon judging verdict.

No other company in the South West region has ever won gold awards in multiple locations for hospitality within a single county. The award winning Venus Cafes at Blackpool Sands, Dartmouth, Bigbury on Sea and East Portlemouth, near Salcombe, each scored high marks in many areas to win the Awards - including quality and freshness of ingredients, presentation and flavour of the meal, menu interest, speed of service, value for money and commitment to local sourcing through menu specification and Café site menus naming local producers.

Michael Smith said today, “This is very good news for all the Venus team, our customers and suppliers. I am delighted that our commitment to local and organic sourcing, excellence in service and provision of quality food has been recognised in this way. Winning the Gold Award for hospitality will ensure that our high professional standards continue.”

The Venus Company uses over 30 local producers from Devon and Cornwall, and serves local and organic produce to over 500,000 customers a year. The Taste of the West Food and Drink Awards recognise the finest in food, drink, hospitality and are highly respected throughout the industry. The Awards are indicators of the very best food and drink available in the region.