24th October 2012

LYME REGIS: Cheesemonger scoops another top award

THE Town Mill Cheesemonger in Lyme Regis scooped another top prize last week.

The shop was named South West Specialty Retailer of the Year at the Flavour Awards organised by Taste of the West.

The event was held in the warm climes of the Mediterranean Biome at the Eden Project in Cornwall, where over 200 influential members of the West Country’s food community enjoyed a fine lunch, featuring the best of the region’s produce.

The new hospitality and retail awards were held in conjunction with the awards for producers. All finalists were chosen from those who had won Gold Taste of the West awards in their categories.

The judge’s comments on their visit to the Town Mill Cheesemonger were: “This is a small shop but there is a marvellous feel to the place, with very knowledgeable and entertaining staff. The cheese was all in great condition. Great service, great cheese, great shop!”

Shop owner Justin Tunstall said: “It’s really down to the staff. We’re firm believers in staff training and all who’ve worked with us have attended external cheese courses as well as getting extensive on the job training.

“We love the produce that we offer and it seems our enthusiasm for the cheese is infectious. That’s what differentiates us from the supermarkets - that and a fantastic range of primarily West Country cheese.

“It’s been a great year for us - in September, we bagged an award for Best Independent Food Shop in Dorset and now we’re seen as being the best in the whole of the South West.”

Mr Tunstall joked: “Next year we expect nothing less than pan-galactic cheese domination - it’s our destiny!”

“This recognition has encouraged us to expand our operation into mail order, and from November we are offering a courier service for visitors who fall in love with the shop and the cheeses, yet have no way of buying them near their homes. We’ve always had a Christmas hamper service, but now we’re stepping up to offer a year-round service.”

PICTURE: SAY CHEESE - Editor of the Western Morning News, Bill Martin, Merry Turnbull and Justin Tunstall of Town Mill Cheesemonger pictured at the awards.

LYME REGIS: Cheesemonger scoops another top award

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