The birthplace of the cream tea celebrated the best of its professional bakers at the annual Tavistock Cream Tea Week competition.

The festival of baking culminated in a fete on Sunday, June 28, with fun family events and a public tasting in the town hall.

Inspired by two countries’ histories, the coveted champion of champions’ title was awarded to Ummihan (Ummi) Kuyturka of Aroma cafe for Ummi’s Journey from Tavistock Abbey to Mesopotamia, an orange and pistachio scone served with cream, jam and orange honey.

Ummi said: “I created something special by connecting two wonderful histories.

“Tavistock Abbey represents the rich heritage of this town, while Mesopotamia is known as the cradle of agriculture, where the earliest farming and bread-making began.

“It was a beautiful way to connect the origins of food with the history of Tavistock. It’s celebrating British tradition while telling a story through flavour. A favourite moment was when one of the judges picked up the scone, smelled it and immediately said, ‘the aroma is amazing’.”

Fifteen businesses crafted imaginative and delicious cream teas, including inventive twists on beloved classics like Marmite on Toast and Lemon Meringue Pie.

Competition judges Tavistock mayor Cllr Anne Johnson and deputy mayor Cllr Jeff Moody were joined by Tim Randell, of Tavistock Chamber of Commerce, and author Terry Green.

Janna Sanders, of Tavistock BID, thanked businesses, volunteers, Tavistock Town Council and Miss Ivy Events for their support: “The effort that has gone into creating these amazing new dishes is outstanding and we, rightly, should be very proud of our exceptional foodie town.”

The Lemon Grove Café won best scone for its cheese and thyme scone, the Bedford Hotel was awarded most innovative savoury cream tea for chef Raoul’s Marmite on Toast cheese scone, Dartmoor Ale marmite butter, and pickled and walnut jam. Dukes Coffee House’s Mexican tribute won the most innovative sweet cream tea.

Extra runner-up awards were presented to Café Liaison and Coffee & Cream Patisserie. The public vote award was claimed by Coffee & Cream Patisserie for its Banoffee Cream Tea.

A line-up of judges at Tavistock Cream Tea Festival and fete which included Town Mayor Cllr Anne Johnson (second left), thriller writer Terry Green (far right) and costumed Edge Players.
A line-up of judges and tasters at Tavistock Cream Tea Week and fete, which included town mayor Cllr Anne Johnson, second left, thriller writer Terry Green, far right, and Edge Players in costume. (Tavistock BID)
Tavistock Cream Tea Festival judge Mayor Cllr Anne Johnson is served her baked entry by town patisserie Coffee and Cream owner Lynda Wallace.
Tavistock Cream Tea Festival judge, mayor Cllr Anne Johnson is served with patisserie Coffee and Cream’s entry by owner Lynda Wallace. She and her team won the competition’s public vote and a runner-up prize for innovative sweet combination. (Tavistock BID)
Ummi xxx of Aroma Cafe, serves up her Tavistock Cream Tea Festival delights for Bev Moody (dressed as a member of Edge Players), a member of the festival tasters.
Ummi Kuyturka, of Aroma Cafe, serves up her prize-winning Tavistock Cream Tea Week delights for Bev Moody, in historical costume as a member of Edge Players, a member of the festival tasters. Ummi and her team won the champion of champions award. (Tavistock BID)
Tavistock's Edge Players in period costume entertain visitors to Tavistock Cream Tea Festival fete.
Tavistock's Edge Players in period costume entertain visitors to Tavistock Cream Tea Week fete. (Tavistock BID)
Ummi xxx, proprietor, of Aroma Cafe, presented with her champion of champions trophy for her entry into Tavistock Cream Tea Festival competition.
Ummi Kuyturka, proprietor of Aroma Cafe, is presented with her champion of champions trophy in the cream tea competition. (Tavistock BID)
Proud pooch owners parade their four-legged 'best friends' at Tavistock Cream Tea Festival fete.
Proud pooch owners parade their four-legged 'best friends' at Tavistock Cream Tea Week fete. (Tavistock BID)