As-local-as-they-come Bovey restaurant, Creeping Thyme, has won Food and Drink Devon Gold.

The award takes the restaurant to four award wins since beginning to trade in late 2021.

The owner, Louis Bennett, opened Creeping Thyme at 25, renovating a space that was previously two businesses: a sweet shop and a café. Since then, the restaurant has won Silver in Taste of the West Silver, Gold in Taste of the West, and a rosette for Culinary Excellence.

Louis grew up and learnt his trade in the area, doing an apprenticeship at the Ilsington Hotel, then working at The Rock Inn, Haytor.

He said: ‘The aim was to always get a restaurant. I live in Bovey and the shop came up to rent. I was always ready to go further, so I went even further and just got my own place.

Louis said: “The aim is to be as Devon as possible, we try to use small, local, Devon companies. We’ve got a large range of locally made alcohol, and that’s the aim with the food too. We are named after creeping thyme that grows locally on the moors. I’ve done some work with Exeter College for work placements, It’s really cosy, it’s a nice place.

“I like to put on new things. On Saturday just gone we threw a seven-course taster menu.

“We had a local musician in. Everyone who came really enjoyed it.’

The restaurant aims for a personal and homely feel, from the homemade reclaimed wood tables and bar to the menu - both created by Louis himself.

Louis added: “I try to change the menu every month and use what’s around and can be sourced at that time.

“I make everything possible from scratch.

“The rosette reviews said they are amazed at what I can produce from my absolutely miniscule kitchen.

‘I’m very proud to be achieving, especially gold, awards. A lot of others were very established and known businesses, it’s nice to be competing with the big boys.’

The restaurant is in the process of moving to bigger premises at Seale-Hayne and is hoping to be trading from December. They are enjoying their last few months in Bovey Tracey.