A UNIQUE Virginstow restaurant has become the only establishment in the UK to achieve organic certification from the Soil Association in three different areas.

Percy?s Country Hotel and Restaurant achieved full certification for both their restaurant and estate at the end of August, which together with the granting of a processors licence, has set a nationwide first.

Percy?s is run by proprietors Tina and Tony Bricknell-Webb.

Tina said there had been an enormous amount of paper work and a lot of time spent on the phone trying to source ingredients that were not available locally on a regular basis with the sort of high quality that Percy?s was looking for.

?It has been made easier by the fact that we have been using quality organic supplies for some time and we also grow a lot of our own produce plus we farm ourselves,? she said.

?It is a very difficult licence to achieve and we are absolutely thrilled we have got it.

?We hope it will encourage others in the hospitality industry to take on small regular suppliers and work with them and vice versa. The produce is far superior and the prices are coming down all the time.?

And Percy?s is now hoping for success at the upcoming and prestigious Soil Association Organic Food Awards.

Percy?s have entered food ? including chicken liver parfait and lemon tart ? in eight different categories, as well as entering the restaurant of the year category.

Judging took place last weekend, and the restaurant should hear if they have been successful soon, although the final placings will not be announced until the big ceremony itself in London next month.

This is the first time Percy?s have entered the competition, which this year attracted more than 1,000 entries.

Percy?s is also aiming for another first; establishing an orchard of fifty organic bramley trees, which will be the first of its kind in the South West.

For the last seven years, the Bricknell-Webbs have been motivated by a ?seed to plate philosophy? to embrace organic farming to produce food made with the very best in ingredients.

Percy?s also runs a Chef?s Academy for youngsters aspiring to a culinary career.

Ross Hayward, marketing manager at Percy?s, said: ?The first intake of ten school leavers, attracted away from traditional catering colleges by the exciting diversity of the two year course, are now beginning to develop their own passion for what is being served in the Westcountry.?

Mr Hayward said skills learnt at the academy ranged from butchery, organic horticulture, front of house and I.T. through to marketing,

?Percy?s newly acquired organic status will give them a fantastic start to their career alongside the skills needed to excel in modern business,? he added.

For information on Percy?s Academy, go to http://www.percys.co.uk">www.percys.co.uk