The fizz was chillin’…

…the goody bags were stuffed with Atlantic Spirit Gin (and a branded enamel camping mug thoughtfully provided from our sponsor Kitsons Solicitors in case the winners got thirsty on their way home)…

…and our host was the stunning Becketts Rooftop Bar. Hotel Indigo’s latest addition to Exeter’s hospitality scene overlooks the city skyline and affords the best birds’ eye view of Exeter Cathedral out there.

Yep, it could only be the great big beautiful Muddy Devon Awards 2023 bash where over 50 of this year’s fabulous winners and their partners gathered to collect their certificates and raise a glass to each other’s success.

And what a night it was, with the best turn-out of stilettos this editor has ever seem, but thankfully no mud, as the torrential rain we’d had the night before held off, and unlike last year, I even managed to remember to bring my speech.

Having dropped the awards’ window-stickers while giving said speech, ooh only two or three or times, it was a big thank you to Sadie (above), owner of Atlantic Spirit Gin for providing her botanically-inspired gin-tastic drinks to the winners. We also congratulated her on being the only woman to swim the treacherous stretch from Hartland Point to Lundy Island. Respect due.

Thanks to our official beauty partner of the National Muddy Awards 2023, Beauty Pie, winners could leave looking even more gorgeous with a free 3-month membership (psssst you can nab the special offer too here.)

We also applauded our marvellous Muddy Devon Awards sponsor for the third year running Kitsons Solicitors. Established in Torquay in 1826, with offices in Exeter and Plymouth, they’re pushing 200 years old and, we all agreed, looking good on it. See you for round four in 2024, Kitsons!

Hotel Indigo’s Sales Manager, Agne (above centre), stepped up to say a few words, reminding us there is also another fabulous bar and grill downstairs, Colson’s, as well as The Retreat, their luxury spa. Useful to know should you need an overhaul after enjoying yourself too much in their brilliant bars.

We also gave a big shout-out to Jill (above left) from Chill Café, who not only was celebrating scooping Devon’s Best New Lifestyle Business 2023 but also her birthday. We spared her the bumps but we did present her with a topnotch bottle of local Pebblebed rosé (once I’d retrieved it from under a pile of dropped window stickers).

Last but far from least, it was a big whoop for Jo Cunningham (above), a Topsham-based wedding photographer who having scooped the top slot herself as Muddy Devon’s Best Photographer 2022 did sterling work making us look dazzling in the pics. Jo, you’re a marvel, thank you.

A huge thank you to all of YOU for voting and supporting your lovely locals. An unprecedented 800K nominations and votes across the Muddy counties (with 77k businesses nominated) – a brilliant turnout for Muddy’s 10th birthday.

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

That’s it from the Muddy Awards 2023, folks! If you’re a brilliant business, we’ll be back with a chance for you to join this cool crowd in spring 2024. See you there!