Stilettos strapped on and cocktail glasses clasped, it was time for the much-anticipated finale of the Muddy Awards 2024 – the glittering Winners’ bash.

This year’s Awards, sponsored by Three Counties Showground, reached a staggering 10 million people (I know, mind-blowing!) over the course of eight exhilarating weeks. More than 500,000 votes were cast and the competition in Glos & Worcs was unprecedented, making it the most popular Muddy Awards ever.

The exquisitely elegant Nook on Five, Cheltenham’s LA-style rooftop venue, was this year’s riotous rendezvous and on the VIP guest list were the independents you voted as the best in the counties. Some have been in business for years; others are newbies, but each and every one is an inspiration, and myself and commercial manager Suzanne couldn’t wait to welcome them.

Guests had travelled from all over the counties to celebrate, and as the top floor lift doors peeled back at our glamorous venue, winners found themselves stepping out onto the red carpet; nothing less would do of course!

The brilliant events team at the restaurant helped get the party started, handing out glasses of bubbly and platters of the most delicious arancini canapés, handmade by the chef.

As well as being a fine-dining, all-day eatery with a glam cocktail bar you can drop into all week long, Nook also hosts weddings so the seasoned team was tip top at looking after everyone.

In pride of place was the 2024 Muddy Awards cake – a three-tier sugar rose stunner with en-pointe Lambeth icing, handmade by the talented Holly Tait of Project Cakery in South Cerney.

Catering for all tastes this year, there was a top tier of white chocolate and raspberry which was entirely vegan, and a bottom tier of zingy lemon with fresh lemon curd. Multiple pieces might have slipped onto my plate (no regrets) so I can attest it tasted as good as it looked!

cake at the muddy awards party 2024 in cheltenham

Equally vying for attention this year was the spectacular balloon art. This show-stopper backdrop was created by the lovely Monique from House of Monroe based in Gloucester.

Using biodegradable balloons and beautiful floral pops it’s not hard to see why she has people queuing up for birthdays, baby showers and bashes galore.

Although they couldn’t be with us, a huge thank you goes out to our fantastic local sponsor Three Counties Showground in Malvern. We were so thrilled to have their valued support this year. And if you have never been, it’s a top place for a day out, home to shows such as RHS Malvern Spring Festival and the Malvern Autumn Show.

The gods of partying were smiling down on us, we couldn’t have been luckier with the weather, picking a sun-drenched afternoon in between the June monsoon.

The Nook on Five terrace has by far the best views in Cheltenham, overlooking the elegant Imperial Square, Queens Hotel, and over to the Cotswolds hills. It was a fabulous spot for all of our winners to get down to some relaxing and mingling in the sunshine as the bubbles flowed.

New friendships were forged, including Bea from Bumble & Bea (below right) and Lisa from Cherry Moo Ice Cream who discovered they had parallel lives – both leaving midwifery to start up their amazing independent businesses!

On hand to capture proceedings was brilliant husband and wife team Jan and Eunice from Creative Depiction Studio. If you have a wedding or event to capture this talented duo have an expert eye for one-off moments.

If you didn’t see it above, go watch the video here, we all had so much fun waving at the high tech drone as it zoomed past the terrace!

Drum roll please…

Much as we’d have happily quaffed Champagne and chatted in the suns all day long, it was time to get down to business and dish out the golden certificates to our 21 fabulous winners.

Our stellar winners – the official photos!

Woodchester Valley Vineyard – **Best Wine / Beer Specialist.**

Daisy Belle Floral Design – **Best Florist.**

The Falcon Steakhouse – **Best Casual Dining.**

See the full line-up of our Muddy Awards winners here.

The groupies

All of our champions, along with winners from the other Muddy counties, will now go through to the prestigious 2024 National Awards with the ‘Best of the Best’ Winners crowned in July 2024 – eek! not long now – watch this space.

That’s a wrap for the 2024 Awards folks, *heads for a long lie down*. It’s been a blast and a privilege to share the excitement and achievements with you. Thank you for taking part, voting, and of course a big cheer for our 21 amazing 2024 champions.

The Muddy Awards are free to enter every year, you can even nominate yourself, so if you’re a brilliant local lifestyle business, stay tuned by signing up to my newsletter here, and we hope to see you in the Muddy Awards 2025!

Pop the corks: Celebrating the stars of the Muddy Awards 2024

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