THE first winner of the West Somerset Free Press Businessman Award has been named as Alan Gooding, of Ranscombe Farm, Wootton Courtenay.

Together with his wife, Susan, he runs a hugely successful licensed restaurant, which specialises in traditional farmhouse food using top quality local produce.

The business has only been going 18 months but has already built up an avid following of regular diners.

Alan said he was surprised to win the top accolade and thanked everyone who had voted for him.

He told the Free Press: "I would like to say a big thank you to the people who have supported us so well since we started.

"I was very surprised to win, but a lot of our customers said they would be voting for me and I'd like to thank all of them."

The restaurant only came into being in May 1999 when Alan, a farmer, was faced with a life-changing decision - either sell the farm where he was born and brought up, or diversify into a different line of business.

At the age of 52 and with no previous experience in the catering industry, he decided to keep his feet firmly on the farm and set about creating his own farmhouse restaurant.

Undeterred by a maze of market research, paperwork, planning applications and business plans, Alan and Susan's dream became a reality in May last year.

Alan explained: "It was just something we had to do. It was either that or sell up and leave.

"We came up with this idea and just put everything into it, which was a risk I know.

"But at the end of the day we're very pleased with it and have managed to build up a good local following, particularly from the Porlock, Dunster and Minehead areas."

One of Alan's main priorities was to use as much local produce as possible, including meat, fish, fruit and vegetables.

Such dedication did not go unnoticed by the people who nominated him for the award.

One wrote: "Excellent cuisine using locally produced produce." Another said: "Alan Gooding has managed to turn a non-viable farm into a first-class restaurant." A third stated: "An impeccable host, he is always gentle, courteous and friendly. Bravo!"

As well as catering for lunches, evening meals and Sunday roasts, the farmhouse restaurant can also be hired out for parties and receptions for up to 40 people.

The farmyard itself is also open to the public to give diners the chance for a quick stroll either before or after eating, meeting a few animals along the way.

Free Press sales executives Heidi Thorne and Michele Gilbert, who organised the businessman award feature, said the standard of all the entries had been particularly high and thanked everyone who took part.

Advertising manager, Josie Jackson, added: "Congratulations to Mr Gooding. It was a close competition, but Mr Gooding proved to be the leader of the pack and we would like to wish him and all the other business which took part continued success in the future."

Pictured are, from left, Free Press sales representative Michele Gilbert, Mr and Mrs Gooding and Josie Jackson.

Photo: Steve Guscott.