The New Inn at St Owen's Cross, had two big reasons to celebrate this weekend when they were named Pub of the Year and their breakfast was Highly Commended in the Flavours of Herefordshire Awards 2008. Also celebrating was The Bridge at Wilton, which was named as Restaurant of the Year.

Keeping the flag flying for the high standard of dining in Ross was The Mill Race at Walford which was commended in the Gastropub of the Year. Glewstone Court Hotel and Restaurant and the Wilton Court Hotel were finalists in Restaurant of the Year and the Breakfast of the Year.

Now in its tenth year, the overall aim of the Flavours of Herefordshire continues to encourage all catering outlets and shops to source their supplies locally wherever possible.

The Flavours scheme also aims to persuade restaurateurs to preserve and promote authentic traditional recipes while developing and promoting new dishes based on the food and drink products of the area.

This year's search for the very best of the best began as long ago as April. Since then, judges have been scouring the county to seek out winners in fourteen separate categories.

Herefordshire Council's Cultural Services Manager Jane Lewis said:?"We pride ourselves not only on finding the 'best of the best' in Herefordshire through this scheme, but also in helping to raise standards right across the board."

The annual Flavours of Herefordshire awards took centre-stage on the eve of the county's second annual Food Festival, held at Hereford Racecourse. Celebrity cooks 'The Hairy Bikers' were guests of honour and handed over the awards.