A husband and wife team had a delicious surprise when they found their caf� was the only one in Sidmouth to get a prestigious accolade.

Selley’s Coffee Chop on Fore Street received the Silver in the caf� section of the Taste of the West Awards.

Katrina and John Lort took over the caf� last year, following their noses to life by the seaside, and won the award in the first year they entered.

Katrina was modest about their victory: “Perhaps they were giving the new people a chance.”

Under head chef John’s direction, the caf� became more of a restaurant, and their speciality platter – an Italian idea made with meats and cheeses from the Sid Valley and homemade bread – has drawn people from miles around.

Katrina said: “We were assessed by a mystery customer, but because one of us is always here we’re able to keep the standard up.”

If customers like a recipe they can recreate it at home, as the pair put a shopping list on the wall to boast of their local credentials.

Their secret? “We just cook the food we like to eat,” she said.