Taste of the West, the South West’s leading food and drink membership organisation, has today launched a new Innovation Award, created in partnership with The Food Works SW, the region’s dedicated food and drink innovation centre in Weston-super-Mare.
The award recognises a South West business that has brought a genuinely new product, process, or way of doing business to market. It rewards the creativity it takes to do something different, whatever the scale of the business. A new product, a smarter or more sustainable way of making and delivering it, a fresh route to market, or a new approach to packaging or branding all qualify.
For entrants, the prize is more than a trophy. The winner receives a tailored support package from The Food Works SW, including development kitchen time, technical and new-product-development support, and specialist business guidance, together with a feature across Taste of the West’s channels, jointly with The Food Works SW. Entry is judged by an independent panel on originality, impact, viability and regional fit, and open to nomination by a fellow member as well as self-entry.
Entries close on 13th November 2026, with the winner announced at the Taste of the West awards ceremony in early February 2027. Entry costs £25 (+VAT) for Taste of the West members and £35 (+VAT) for non-members. Full details, eligibility and how to enter are available at tasteofthewest.co.uk, or by contacting Lily, Taste of the West CIC.
“Innovation is the spark that transforms great ideas into real-world impact. This award celebrates the businesses brave enough to challenge convention, embrace change and create new opportunities for growth. Together with The Food Works SW, we’re not only recognising innovation, we’re helping to nurture it, accelerate it and bring it to life.” Charles Baughan, Chair, Taste of the West
“We see every day how much ambition there is among South West producers. What’s often missing is the technical support to take a good idea further. This award gives us a direct route to the businesses doing the most interesting work.” Simon Gregory, Director, The Food Works SW
Taste of the West is the South West of England’s leading food and drink membership organisation, supporting micro and SME producers, hospitality and retail businesses across the South West and the Channel Islands. To find out more about membership, head on over to the website.
The Food Works SW is a food and drink innovation centre in Weston-super-Mare, offering development kitchens, technical support and product scale-up expertise to help producers take ideas from concept to launch. To find out more about the different packages they offer, go to their website.
