WEST Devon country house hotel The Horn of Plenty is celebrating a double gold award win in the Taste of the West Awards, receiving gold awards for accommodation with breakfast and also for its fine dining restaurant. Taste of the West, the leading food and drink organisation for the South West, runs the largest regional awards programme in Britain and Taste of the West Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners' logos are widely recognised as a sign of quality across the country. helping to boost business for the winners. Julie Leivers, joint owner of The Horn of Plenty at Gulworthy, said: 'We are delighted to win a double gold award. It's really good to have both our accommodation and our food recognised by these prestigious awards. 'The Horn of Plenty has had a long-standing reputation for its fine dining restaurant spanning over 40 years. 'It opened its doors in 1967 and was originally owned by Sonia Stevenson, the first lady to ever be awarded a Michelin star. The kitchen has been operating to that standard ever since.' Julie and her partner Damien Pease took over The Horn of Plenty four years ago and have worked hard to ensure it maintains its reputation for fine dining, but also improved the accommodation, gradually introducing a freshness and luxuriousness to existing rooms and adding on six further rooms which are due to open in June. 'We were particularly pleased with some of the judges' comments,' said Julie. 'They recognise that we go the extra mile to "wow" our guests and to ensure their comfort.' The judges said: 'We received a very warm welcome and the staff couldn't have been more helpful and friendly. 'It was easy to make a reservation and we were shown to our room, a few yards from the main house, rather than just being given a key. Golfing umbrellas were provided at each end to protect customers from the rain on going to dinner — nice touch. 'Because we had arrived at tea-time, the receptionist came to our room with two slices of delicious home made carrot cake for us — a very special touch. The quality of the service throughout was really excellent.' The 2014 Taste of the West awards ceremony will take place in early autumn, where the Best of category winners will be announced.