Another summer, another clutch of amazing local businesses to celebrate – and where better to hold the Muddy Awards winners’ drinks do, than the fabulous Roth Bar & Grill at the supercool and world-renowned art gallery Hauser & Wirth Somerset in New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Monaco, St Moritz … and here in Bruton. The town is catnip to celebs like Mariella Frostrup and Sam Taylor-Wood and this unique and beautiful space, along with Durslade Farm Shop, is the icing on the celebrity cake.

Home to a cutting edge programme of free art exhibitions (their current show Gruppenausstellung is huge fun), events, workshops, and the simply stunning Oudolf Field, designed by famous landscape designer Piet Oudolf, and the Radić Pavilion out back, if you haven’t been here yet, put a visit at the top of your To Do list pronto – it’s open seven days a week.

It was a real privilege to meet so many inspirational Dorset, Somerset and Bristol businesses. This year over 77,000 businesses entered and over 800,000 votes were cast across the 28 Muddy counties – so it really is a massive achievement, especially after another year of challenges for our plucky indies. Super-talented photographer Suzy Slemen was on hand to capture the day.

We were spoilt for food and wine with Roth Bar & Grill providing the drinks and canapés. Needless to say, it was delicious with a choice of garden pea arancini, Scotch egg, lamb skewers with mint yoghurt, salt beef tortillas and hot smoked trout blinis. Yum.

Then there were the goodie bags. Let it not be said that winners go home with a plastic keyring, some leaflets and a packet of Wet Wipes at a Muddy do (we’ve all been to those events, right?).

Durslade Farm Shop treated winners to an artisan meat rub, miniature tipple and a lovely jar of their own honey, so a big THANK YOU to them for being so generous with their gifts.

Drum roll for your winners, please!

Finally, a sincere SUPER-THANK-YOU-LOVE-BOMB from me to all of you who showed your support and love for local businesses this year – it’s your passion and involvement that continues to make our Awards so different, personal and relevant to our communities.

All that remains is to remind you of your worthy champions across Dorset, Somerset & Bristol for 2023. Print off the list, work your way through them and enjoy!