One of the joys of living on the Isle of Wight is the opportunity to behave like a tourist. I have a range of outings from cycling the downs to a certain pub, to going to Ventnor for a Minghella's ice-cream a walk to Steephill Cove along the cliffs for a crab pasty and then back to Ventnor seafront where I can buy fantastic fresh local crab. Blakes Hut (recommended) has been established since 1830. The simple hut has gone and has been replaced with a splendid wet fish shop on the harbour wall. They sell freshly caught fish, freshly prepared crab and lobster and the seasonally short and rare Bembridge prawns.

On the way home I buy organic eggs from Godshill Organics and when I get home I make a simple, delicious crab omelette, served with a green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette and scattered with shavings of fresh parmesan cheese what more can one ask for from the Isle of Wight.

We also like Hamilton Butcher's speciality sausages, the rare breed beef from China Shop. Calbourne Dairies produce a delicious tasting clotted cream. Brownriggs Poultry produce wonderful Bronze Turkeys. Mapes Bakery in Sandown make the best jam dough-nuts. Lovely Apple juice comes from Sharron Orchard. We also like the Isle of Wight Cheese particularly their soft cheese which reminds me a little of Vignotte.

Best "Food Shop" Award

Where we get our ingredients from is becoming increasingly important in an age where we are encouraged to buy from local producers. Even supermarkets have recognised  the growing trend towards local supplies and are now stocking produce grown in the area as well as organic food.

Godshill Organics is a totally committed no compromise organic supermarket. I have watched them develop the business over the past 12 years and they deserve enormous credit for what they have given the Island. You can do a full weeks shop here, vegetables, meat, cleaning products, cosmetics, convenience foods and even organic clothes. Their beef is excellent and I have high hopes for their soon to arrive own reared pork.

Their new butchery is proving a great success, offering tender, tasty meat.