Food & Drink

Harrison Brockington was the winner of last year's South West Chef of the Year competition

Michael Caines launches South West Chef of the Year 2025

Renowned chef Michael Caines MBE DL has launched the 2025 edition of the prestigious South West Chef of the Year competition – a highlight of the region’s culinary calendar and a platform for recognising the best cooking talent from across the South West.

Michael, who is chef/patron at the Michelin-starred Lympstone Manor, co-founded the competition in 2004 with the aim of championing professional excellence, nurturing rising stars, and celebrating the world-class food and drink produced in the region. Now in its 21st year, the competition continues to spotlight the outstanding...

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Celebrating 40 years of Sharpham Wine and Cheese

Multi award-winning Sharpham Wine and Cheese is celebrating a phenomenal forty years at the South Devon based Sharpham Estate. To mark the occasion there will be two very special events this September; a celebratory three course birthday meal at the Sharpham Estate and an exclusive anniversary virtual wine and cheese tasting event. Visit www.sharpham.com for further information and tickets.

Forty years ago, Maurice Ash brought his herd of Jersey cows down from Essex to the Sharpham Estate in Devon and set to work crafting his first creamy, bloomy-rinded brie. He then planted the...

South West Wine School WSET Courses at Darts Farm this Autumn

Looking to increase your wine knowledge? South West Wine School is hosting Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) courses at Darts Farm this autumn. The next Level 1 (a one day course, £165) is on Friday 15th October 2021 and the next Level 2 (a three day course on consecutive Fridays, £425) starts on Friday 10th September 2021. Visit southwestwineschool.co.uk for more information and to book.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust is the leader in providing globally recognised education and qualifications in wines and spirits for both professionals and enthusiasts.

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Local Food & Drinks Fair announced to launch Valleyside Barn

New weddings and events venue, Valleyside Barn based in Bickleigh, will host a local food and drinks fair to officially launch their opening. Sixteen local food and drinks producers will attend the daytime event on Sunday 26th September. Visitors will be able to sample sweet and savoury delicacies including oysters, smoked fish, dim sum and a range of ales, lager, cider, gin and wine from across the region.

Emma Wright, Partner of Valleyside Barn & Escapes said, “We’re very excited to officially open our newly converted barn. The food and drinks fair is an opportunity for...

It’s back! Ottery’s favourite foodie festival to return with a new date and location

After being disappointed with several postponements due to the pandemic, Ottery Food & Families Festival is back on the Devon foodie calendar.

The new date is Saturday September 11 and this year for the first time the event is to be held in Alfington Road on land adjacent to Otter Garden Centres.

The new location means the festival will be all in one place, giving it a real carnival feel. A central arena with hay bales providing a picnic area will be surrounded by producer stalls and catering stands. It means that parents can relax and enjoy the atmosphere as they can...

Hayley Reynolds, director, RAW Food & Drink PR

RAW Works with Best in Class

With the recent release of the Taste of the West Awards’ winners, Devon-based public relations agency, RAW Food & Drink PR has been celebrating alongside many of its clients. The UK’s largest regional food and drink awards programme, which helps food and drink businesses in the South West to thrive and succeed, has brought great success for six of RAW’s clients who between them amassed a staggering 17 top ‘Gold’ awards and two ‘Silver’ awards. Commenting on the recent success of RAW’s clients, Hayley Reynolds, founder and director of RAW says: “The South West food and drink scene is...

New nine-day 'Taste East Devon' Food and Drink Festival

Award-winning venues, producers, chefs and restaurants have joined forces to celebrate the incredible food and drink on offer across East Devon’s stunning coast and countryside. Taste East Devon is a nine day food and drink festival taking place across the whole of East Devon from 11th - 19th September 2021. From farm feasts to brewery open days, seafood tasting experiences to BBQs and parties, each event will have its own mix of experiences and entertainment. Some events will be ticketed, some will be open freely for all. www.tasteeastdevon.co.uk

This unique festival is a true ‘...

Exeter Vegan Market returns with home-baked treats galore

After a 16-month COVID-enforced absence, Exeter Vegan Market returns to the Corn Exchange on Saturday 24 July to bring some much-needed cruelty-free cheer to the city.

The market brings together a huge selection of vegan and eco-friendly products, mostly created by small independent South West businesses. Visitors can enjoy a unique range of vegan products including organically grown vegetables, a delicious choice of home-baked cakes and savouries, freshly baked bread, lovingly created cosmetics and toiletries, gifts, cards and environmentally-friendly household cleaners and baby...

Staffing crisis for hospitality - Mickeys Beach Bar & Restaurant to close 2 days a week temporarily

Brand new Exmouth foodie destination, Mickeys Beach Bar & Restaurant, will be open 5 days rather than 7 at the start of July temporarily to maintain the highest standards of operation within the restaurant, whilst ensuring staff are well looked after. The restaurant will be closed on two Mondays and Tuesdays in July (Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th and Monday 12th & Tuesday 13th July), further dates will be reviewed there-after.

The Mickeys Beach team will be contacting all those booked in for these dates to inform customers of the closure and staff will rebook all...

Devon crisps company boosted by new Tesco listing

Popular hand-cooked potato chips producer Burts is celebrating after securing a region-wide listing with Tesco.

The two businesses have struck a deal for three flavours of Burts’ crisps to be sold in more than 60 stores across the West Country – from Yeovil to Ilfracombe and Gloucester to Helston.

Sea Salt, Mature Cheddar & Spring Onion, and Sea Salt & Malt Vinegar are the firm favourites now available at the stores, all in 150g bags.

The listing is the latest success for award-winning Burts, which began life in 1995 with Richard Thomas Burt and his wife...

5 ways to make more of your meals

What do you think of when you hear the word 'diet'? Eating the same lunch time salad every day? Grilled chicken with steamed vegetables, packed with nutrients but lacking in flavour? It's true that when you're trying to eat healthily, it's much easier to fall into a bland-food rut, which only serves to make fast food, salty snacks and sweet treats all the more tempting.

But you don't need to cut out flavour to maintain a healthy diet. After all, what's the point in living longer if you can't enjoy your meals? By making a few smart choices and learning a couple of handy kitchen...

Food & Drink

Michael Caines launches South West Chef of the Year 2025

Celebrating 40 years of Sharpham Wine and Cheese

South West Wine School WSET Courses at Darts Farm this Autumn

Local Food & Drinks Fair announced to launch Valleyside Barn

It’s back! Ottery’s favourite foodie festival to return with a new date and location

RAW Works with Best in Class

New nine-day 'Taste East Devon' Food and Drink Festival

Exeter Vegan Market returns with home-baked treats galore

Staffing crisis for hospitality - Mickeys Beach Bar & Restaurant to close 2 days a week temporarily

Devon crisps company boosted by new Tesco listing

5 ways to make more of your meals

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