The owner of a West Bay café she is 'thrilled' after winning a prestigious award.

Sladers Yard scooped a Taste of the West gold award, which recognises those in the hospitality industry, in its casual dining category, receiving high praise from undercover judges.

Anna Powell has owned Sladers Yard since 2007 and, in that time, the café has won five gold awards from Taste of the West and a silver award in 2023.

The 2024 judges said: "I can’t tell you how much we enjoyed our lunch at Sladers.

"From the moment we walked in we felt welcome, and nothing was too much trouble.

"There was a lot on the menu that we would’ve liked to have tried. The staff deserve a serious pat on the back, we will certainly visit again."

Anna Powell, owner of Sladers Yard, said: "We were thrilled. It is validation of everything we do, we source really good local ingredients freshly cooked in house.

"A happy atmosphere is very important, we always try to have smiling faces when people come in so that it is welcoming.

"We have had five gold awards, so the silver last year was actually a bit of a blip.

"It is very nice to be back at the top.

"The awards themselves are great for promoting local people and local producers.

"This one is for the staff because it is them who have really won the award."

Axminster coffee shop Higgler Coffee is also celebrating after receiving the coveted award for the third year in a row.

The coffee shop won the award in the café/tea room category, with outstanding praise from the undercover judges.

Having operated in the town for over ten years and won multiple awards including Taste of the West awards the crew at Higgler coffee and recognition shows they are the best regionally and nationally.

Owner Laurence Norman 32 said: "I may be showing some signs of wear, but the young crew that lead the charge in the fight for excellent coffee and local and sustainable food are vibrant and passionate."

Judges said: "Information about their sourcing and the origin of products was showcased all around the café and on their menus which was fantastic to see.

"There was a simple limited menu of bagels and home-made cakes on the premises dominating the menu.

"When you first enter Higgler there is a sign instructing you to wait for the staff to show you a table to ensure that they have time to clear the tables.

"A laid-back approach from the owner and staff who were engaging. This is the coffee shop/café we would all like to have around our corner of town.

"The Higgler team made it look effortless and we all know just how hard it is to achieve this level of quality. Fabulous attention to detail and a clear focus on the customer."

The Grange at Oborne near Sherborne also received a gold award.

Judges said: “The Grange represents traditional standards of true hospitality while being modern, inclusive and friendly.”