Westcountry

Topsham's prestigious Oliva Restaurant has been named as the best restaurant in Devon at the 2007 Devon Life Food and Drink Awards.

The popular restaurant, which is run by the Golder family, beat off fierce competition from Gittisham's Combe House Hotel and another Topsham restaurant, The Galley Restaurant.

Oliva Restaurant provides a relaxed ambience full of style and comfort with its smart interior, crisp white napkins, and a menu offering gastronomic delicacies using Devon's finest produce with seafood, paella, and tapas being one of their specialties.

Head chef Tim Golder said: "To be recognised for such a prestigious award is brilliant. I take real pleasure in cooking great local produce and bringing flavours of the Mediterranean with a Latin feel.

Oliva Restaurant - Sample menu

Starter
Crispy duck, black pudding and rocket tossed together and drizzled with a balsamic reduction

Main
Oven roasted rack of local lamb with chorizo and sun-blushed tomato sauté potatoes and garlic butter

Dessert
Chocolate fondant with a gooey centre, topped with clotted cream

"I am truly honoured that Oliva has been crowned the county’s best restaurant."

The Church House Inn, Marldon, was crowned best country pub of the year, with The Bullers Arms second and The Nobody Inn third.

Totnes' Kingsbridge Inn scooped the best dining pub of the year award, while Hotel Gleneagles in Torquay landed the best newcomer of the year prize.

This was the fourth year that the Devon Life Food and Drink Awards have taken place. More than 250 guests attended the prize-giving awards dinner this year.

Meanwhile, Matt Mason was voted as the best chef in the county. Matt is the head chef at Rockbeare's delightful Jack in the Green Inn.

The award for best fishmonger went to Exeter's Gibson's Plaice, while Pipers Farm, another Exeter business, won best butcher.

Other winners included Linscombe Farm, Riverford Organic, Vinnicombes and South Devon Chilli Farm.

The Devon Life Food and Drink Awards are designed to celebrate and promote excellence and to recognise the achievements of all local producers in Devon.

They are voted for by the readers of the popular lifestyle magazine.