The principal sponsors of The Flavours of Herriot awards were Wensleydale Creamery

Breakfast of the Year. Sponsored by The Pantry, Thirsk

WINNER: The Wensleydale Heifer, West Witton

It is the second win in a row for the Wensleydale Heifer in this category. The food is locally sourced, with hand-made yoghurts and a wide variety of produce. Owner of the Wensleydale Heifer, David Moss said: “The breakfasts are a big part of what we do at the hotel. We use the local butchers, R&J Butchers at Kirby Malzeard and we try and provide a lot of choice.”

FINALISTS: Howards of Stokesley; The Golden Fleece, Thirsk

Tearoom of the Year. Sponsored by Barkers of Northallerton

WINNER: The Courthouse Cafe, Thirsk

The not-for-profit cafe has been running for three years at Rural Arts in Thirsk and supports the work of the charity. Staff include Fay Warnock, who was taken on as an apprentice through a Hambleton District Council scheme and is now very involved in the business, including taking responsibility for much of the baking. Janice McVay, from the cafe, said: “Because it’s in the middle of the building, the cafe has become the hub of the venue. It was designed to support other activities going on at Rural Arts.”

FINALISTS: Berry’s Farm Shop and Cafe, Swinithwaite; Stamps Coffee Shop, Great Ayton.

Food Producer of the Year. Sponsored by 121

WINNER: The Little Chocolate Shop, Leyburn

The business receives 35,000 visitors a year, including coach and school parties, who can watch chocolate being created from a public gallery. The business, which has six staff, also supplies a number of national outlets, but are passionate advocates of local shopping and also supply a number of farm shops. One of its current projects involves making 19 chocolate robins, all of which stand at 3ft high, for Sainsbury's stores in the region, which will raise money for local charity. Owner Jim Hogg said: “We sell our products nationally and also to farm shops. The big thing for us is encouraging people to shop local.”

FINALISTS: Sawley Kitchen, Ripon; The Angel’s Share Bakery, Richmond.

Village/Farm Shop of the Year. Sponsored by Provenance Inns

WINNER: Berry’s Farm Shop and Cafe, Leyburn

The cafe has been running for about two and a half years. Staff at Berry’s Farm Shop and Cafe are given the opportunity to work across all areas of the business, from the office to the kitchen, so they can build up a complete picture of how the operation works. Manager Benita Jacobs said: “We’re really pleased to win because we were up against some stiff opposition. It’s all down to team work and everybody working together.”

FINALISTS: Roots Farm Shop, East Rounton; Mainsgill Farm Shop and Cafe, Richmond

Dining Pub of the Year. Sponsored by Black Sheep Brewery

WINNER: The Black Bull, Moulton

The Black Bull was reopened just eight months ago by Provenance Inns in a ceremony with first secretary of state Richmond MP William Hague, who proposed to wife Ffion at the venue a number of years ago.

Michael Ibbotson, director of Provenance Inns, said: “We like to demonstrate that you can have a professional kitchen and professional service in a village pub, without changing their inherent character.”

Manager Ian Pilcher added: “When we first went in the building was a complete shell and we’ve built it up from that. The history of the Black Bull astounds me still and the amount of people coming in with their stories of how they got married there 30 years ago, or visited before is overwhelming.”

FINALISTS: The King’s Head, Newton-under-Roseberry; The Milbank Arms, Well; The Carlton Inn, Carlton Husthwaite.

Butcher of the Year. Sponsored by Vale of Mowbray

WINNER: Roots Farm Shop and Cafe, East Rounton

The butchers provides a variety of meat and over-ready meals to customers and produce to local restaurants. It has been running for the past six years and its staff include a new apprentice Tony Moses, 18, from Stokesley School. Butcher Darren Nesfield said: “We oversee everything from the farmyard to the counter.”

FINALISTS: Mainsgill Farm Shop, East Layton; Johnsons of Thirsk.

Best Attraction Catering of the Year. Sponsored by Mad Hatter Tea

WINNER: Tennants of Leyburn

The relaunched cafe at Tennants Auctioneers only opened in September this year and caters for everyone, from those wanting coffee and cake to customers in search of a sit-down, restaurant meal. Julie Moody said the auctions receive a large number of overseas visitors who often want to try out some Yorkshire produce.

FINALISTS: Black Sheep Bistro, Masham; Fairhurst, Bolton Castle

Specialist Retailer of the Year. Sponsored by Bow House

WINNER: Rounton Coffee, East Rounton

Former Teesside chemical engineer David Beattie and his partner Tracy Lee began operating full-time from their coffee roastery in a former granary building at East Rounton about six months ago. They source and roast speciality coffee which has been ethically traded, providing farmers with a sustainable wage. Rounton Coffee supply restaurants and local businesses with their coffee and can also provide advice on different coffees.

FINALISTS: Olivia’s Artisan Bakery, Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk; The Little Chocolate Shop, Leyburn.

Best Drinks Producer. Sponsored by Grand Central Railway

WINNER: Ampleforth Abbey, Ampleforth.

Ampleforth Abbey’s Beer and Cider have notched up an impressive array of awards in recent years. Its cider is made using traditional methods on site, from the orchard’s apples. It’s recently-launched beer has been created to an ancient receipe kept by the Benedictine monks for hundreds of years and is also winning a large national following. The abbey also produces cider brandy, apple liqueur and other spirits.

FINALISTS: Black Sheep Brewery, Masham; Masons Yorkshire Gin, Bedale.

Best Restaurant. Sponsored by Figs Catering

WINNER: Yorebridge House, Bainbridge.

The hotel and restaurant has been open since January 2008 and this year was awarded a coveted 3 AA Rosettes to add to its awards. Owner Bill Emmerson said: “We have a very good chef, Dan Shotton and it’s all locally sourced food.”

David Riley, added: “We have an incredibly strong team of staff, a few of them have been with us from the word go.”

FINALISTS: The Carpenters Arms, Felixkirk; The Wensleydale Heifer, West Witton; The Cleveland Tontine, Osmotherley.

Customer Service Personality of the Year. Sponsored by First TransPennine

WINNER: Samantha Palliser, landlady of the Dog and Gun, Knayton.

Samantha has been landlady of the pub for the last year and previously worked locally as a dental nurse. She said: “Being front of house you get to meet all kinds of characters. We’re the first port of call when people walk through the door and you want to make people feel welcome.”

FINALISTS: Deborah Whitwell, Carpenters Arms; Kay Jackson, Roots Farm Shop; Paul Casterton, Black Sheep Brewery.

Darlington & Stockton Times Readers’ Choice.

WINNER: Stamps Coffee Shop, Great Ayton

Business owner Jane Holmes left her job of 25 years as an air hostess for BA four years ago to set up Stamps Coffee Shop. She said: “I thought I would really miss my old job, but actually I love what I am doing now. It’s still customer service and chatting to people. We use local people and local produce and try and support as many businesses as we can locally.”

Oustanding Achievement Award. Winner: Gary Verity.