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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The Shops at Dartington May Food Fair Hailed a Success

More than 7,000 people enjoyed a first-rate day out with glorious sunshine at The Shops at Dartington’s free May Food Fair on 27-28 May. The best of Devon’s food and drink scene came together, from vibrant street-food markets to artisan producers, with top chefs demonstrating recipes and offering tricks of the trade.

In addition to food activities, visitors threw their own clay pottery, enjoyed live jazz, got up close to birds of prey and were entertained by magicians, caricaturists and community groups. The summer sunshine created a contented laid-back atmosphere for visitors to...

Glassboat’s Platt to guest at Rusty Pig

Jake Platt from Bristol’s renowned Glassboat restaurant is guesting at Rusty Pig on June 2.

The ‘Saturday Night Fever’ dining event is a seasonally-led, four-course tasting menu using locally sourced ingredients.

Jake is known for his seasonal, ingredient-led approach and a strong focus on regional France and influences. He has been head chef at Glassboat, which is situated on Welshback in Bristol’s historic floating harbour, for just under a year, after stints with Mitch Tonks at The Rockfish Grill on Whiteladies Road and Toby Gritten at The Bird in Hand in Long Ashton as...

The Salutation Inn shortlisted for national award (but need your help!)

The Salutation Inn in Topsham have been short-listed for ‘Best Hotel, Gourmet Bolt Hole' in the Food and Travel magazine awards. This award is particularly prestigious, with the final awards evening showcasing some of the best names in the restaurant industry.

Devon street food for heroes

Ottery’s Rusty Pig went north to feed the crowds at the last ever Rugby4Heroes Rugby and Music Festival held at Old Leamington Rugby Ground. The restaurant was asked to contribute to the event catering after organisers enjoyed a meal there on a visit to the area in November last year.

Robin Rea and his team took their outside catering converted cattle truck to Leamington, a round trip of about 360 miles, to supply a variety of pork and beef-based dishes, including locally produced Dunekswell Dexter beef burgers.

This was the 10th anniversary of the event, which has raised...

Exeter College restaurant achieves prestigious AA Rosette accolade

Exeter College’s @thirty-four fine dining teaching and learning restaurant has achieved a prestigious AA College Rosette Award.

The awarding of the coveted accolade is in recognition of the hard work of students and staff at the restaurant. The AA inspector who visited the restaurant highlighted a number of ‘wow’ moments during their visit. One of these was the ‘great relationship between the students and staff; respectful, supportive and engaging’.

Hospitality and catering students at Exeter College experience the real life rush of a commercial restaurant by working in the...

Artisan Market returns to Seaton

The Artisan Market returns to Seaton over the early Bank Holiday weekend with a mix of stalls selling the very best quality art and craft items, upcycled gifts and handmade homeware on Saturday 5th May from 10am to 3pm. The free, open air Artisan market hosts a wide variety of unusual and unique products made in Devon, Dorset and Somerset. Expect to find wood carvings, soft furnishings, tailor made clothing, handmade jewellery, glass ware and delicious food. Cllr Peter Burrows from Seaton Town Council, says, “The Spring Bank Holiday is a great time to browse the stalls at Seaton Artisan...

Tickety-Boo once more for Trystan

It’s a welcome return to Ottery St Mary's popular coffee shop Tickety-Boo for Trystan Bridgeman as he takes on the role of head chef.

Trystan was assistant chef at Tickety-Boo in 2017 before moving to South Street Standard in Exeter. However, he found the commute a strain and when the opening came up at Tickety-Boo he didn’t have to be asked twice.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever gone back to a job, which is an indication of how keen I am,” said Trystan.

“The team at Tickety-Boo is really strong and we are all committed to making this the best coffee shop in East...

Powderham Food Festival announces its return

Devon’s popular Powderham Food Festival will return this autumn as organisers announce this year’s dates.

Powderham Food Festival, the autumnal foodie event that celebrates the South West’s finest food and drink producers, will return on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th October 2018, 10am to 5pm. Now in its seventh year, the festival will be hosted in the grounds of the beautiful Powderham Castle and promises to provide a fantastic family, foodie and fun day out for all to enjoy.

Brimming with all things edible, drinkable and delectable from over 150 producers, there are also...

Limited edition salami created in memory of charcuterie fan Paul

One year after the tragic death of Paul Young, Ottery St Mary restaurant and charcuterie Rusty Pig has released a limited edition salami in his honour.

Owner Robin Rea set up Rusty Pig Charcuterie in partnership with Paul in 2016, after they met at a butchery course.

Together, they launched a range of wholesale charcuterie that quickly became popular with pubs, farm shops and at food festivals across the South West. Tragically, just as the business was taking off, Paul died in a motorbike accident in Somerset.

Robin Rea said: “We were all totally devastated to lose...

The Shops at Dartington launches distillery

British retailer and social enterprise, The Shops at Dartington, are to introduce a brand-new permanent distillery within their Food Hall, to launch in mid-April.

In partnership with Devon Distillery, the new copper still will produce The Shops at Dartington’s signature bottle of Elmhirst Gin, and will also have the capability of producing other contract gins as well as other spirits at a later date. The distillery will also be running a boutique gin experience, enabling small classes to learn the process of making gin, while they can smell, taste and witness the entire process...

Food & Drink

Michael Caines launches South West Chef of the Year 2025

The Shops at Dartington May Food Fair Hailed a Success

Glassboat’s Platt to guest at Rusty Pig

The Salutation Inn shortlisted for national award (but need your help!)

Devon street food for heroes

Exeter College restaurant achieves prestigious AA Rosette accolade

Artisan Market returns to Seaton

Tickety-Boo once more for Trystan

Powderham Food Festival announces its return

Limited edition salami created in memory of charcuterie fan Paul

The Shops at Dartington launches distillery

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