The 27 winners of the Muddy Awards 2023 – and as voted by you – gathered to celebrate being crowned the ‘best of the best’ in the absolutely gorgeous Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, in a stunning new area at the top of the gardens make the most of the countryside views across to Restormel Castle.

If it looks familiar, it might be because we loved it so much the last two years that we were delighted to head back again this year – and what a gorgeous evening it was.

Frankly, the whole thing was once again a blast from beginning to end. Getting to meet inspirational, creative people – after all finding brilliant local businesses is right at the heart of Muddy and we really do love it.

This year, across all 28 Muddy counties, an astonishing 77,000 businesses were nominated and total of 800,000 votes were cast. Those right there are big numbers!

Running a business requires great effort and to make it a successful one that brightens up our daily lives, adding to our community, is no mean feat . So it’s an honour to be able to celebrate this on behalf of hard-working business owners across Cornwall.

Would you like a sneak peek of the event? Of course you do!

We drank a choice of pink or white prosecco, served and chosen by Wild Wine Woman Debbie who runs Wild Wine School and a garden spritz made by the team at the Nursery alongside absolutely gorgeous canapés by Chris, head chef at the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery.

Once everyone had arrived I gave a short speech and thank yous, and then it was down to the serious business of toasting, celebrating and handing out the certificates!

And then it was time for the official photo opps, glittering certificates in hand.

Our woman behind the camera for the day was Cire Deacon of Octarine Design. She works with small businesses who need brand design, website design and photography, helping those with great ideas bring them to life – and thanks to her, all our winners have some fab photos to use.

All the winners took home a goodie bag to say thank you from the team at Muddy Cornwall – goodies to relax with once they got home from the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, including smoked salt from The PIG (use for cooking, or, my personal fave, in a cocktail!), a mini St Eval Candle, Phoenix & Providence lip balm made using seaweed hand harvested on the Isles of Scilly, a GAIA face moisturiser and a gift from Beauty Pie.

(Like the sound of it? We’ve a deluxe version to give away to a reader here!)

But there would be no party with no awards, and no awards with no readers to vote for their most loved indie businesses, so it’s a big heartfelt THANK YOU from me to you for taking the time to give your local favourites a pat on the back and showing your support for the Muddies.

And last but very much not least, thank you to the team from the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery – Claire, Carl, Naomi, Kim, Chris and the rest of the team, who pulled out all the stops to put on a brilliant event. I couldn’t recommend them more highly.

I also just want to take the opportunity once more to say a massive CONGRATS to everyone who found themselves nominated, a finalist and eventually a winner. It really hit home to me how much talent, character and good-feeling there is here in Cornwall.

See you in 2024 but until then, give a virtual round of applause to (and then go visit) …

FULL LIST OF 2023 WINNERS

ART GALLERY: Jackson Foundation Gallery (St Just)

BAR: Kernowine (Falmouth)

BEAUTY SALON/CLINIC: Beautique (Newquay)

BOOKSHOP: The Edge of the World Bookshop (Penzance)

BRIDAL STORE: Colins Bridal (Callington)

BOUTIQUE STAY: The Cornish Place (Redruth)

CAFÉ: Feed (Hayle)

CHILDREN’S BUSINESS: Wild Warriors (Polzeath)

DAY SPA: St Michaels Resort (Falmouth)

DESTINATION PUB: The Rising Sun (Truro)

FAMILY ATTRACTION: The Lost Gardens of Heligan (St Austell)

FARM SHOP/DELI: Sabzi Deli (Truro)

FITNESS INSTRUCTOR: Tara Hegarty, Versatile Fitness Choice (Roche)

FLORIST: Vintage & Bloom (Falmouth)

HAIR SALON: Laura Evans Hair Studio (Hayle)

HOTEL/INN: Tregenna Castle Resort (St Ives)

JEWELLER: Rosie and Flo (Millbrook)

LIFESTYLE STORE: Just Lily (Porthleven)

LOCAL PRODUCER (FOOD/DRINK): Saltash Bakery (Saltash)

NEW LIFESTYLE START UP: Tea & Leighs (Saltash)

RESTAURANT: The Mulberry (Falmouth)

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS: All You Can Eco (Perranporth)

THEATRE/ARTS VENUE: Rogue Theatre (Tehidy Woods)

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: Verity Westcott (Truro)

WEDDING VENUE: Tregenna Castle Resort (St Ives)

WOMEN’S FASHION STORE: Love of Lemons (Newquay)

YOGA/ PILATES STUDIO: Oceanflow Yoga (Newquay)