Speciality Food Magazine

The accolade, sponsored by major dairy firm, Dairy Crest, recognises the store's delicatessen cheese counter as the best of any independent retailer in the country. With more than 125 cheeses on offer and highly knowledgeable staff, judges said that Bakers and Larners had to beat off stiff competition from around the country to scoop the top gong. Mr Baker said he was delighted to be judged overall winner after having won the southern England heat of the competition every year since 2004.

He and Carolyn Appleton, who heads up the cheese counter, collected the award, along with a cheque for £2,500. He said, "I think it is fair to say that we were secretly hopeful. We felt our new counter enabled us to give a better display and we have very knowledgeable staff." Last year, Bakers and Larners invested £500,000 in improving its food hall.

Steven Gover, trade relations controller at Dairy Crest, said, "The first elimination round is judged on photographic entries from which a shortlist of about 100 stores are chosen. Judges visit each retailer over a period of four weeks and the final choice is based on the store's general presentation and ability, knowledge and enthusiasm of the staff. Each year we are astounded by the outstanding quality of the entrants which makes this a fantastic achievement by Bakers and Larners."

Mr Baker said that to celebrate, he would be spending some of the cash prize on taking staff from the food hall out to Galton Blackiston's Michelin-starred restaurant at Morston.