Food & Drink

A Devon charity is raising money this Christmas by selling a very special chocolate.

Paignton Zoo, a registered education, science and conservation charity, is believed to be one of the first zoos in the UK to stock Madecasse Chocolate, made from the finest Madagascan cocoa.

Paul Bellingham, of Paignton Zoo, said: “This is really special, as most chocolate is processed outside Africa. It’s a perfect product for us to sell – made from shade-grown cocao, harvested without damaging natural forest habitat, it generates jobs and money for local people in a developing economy....

After the unprecedented success of this year’s awards, Taste of the West is delighted to announce that entries for the prestigious Product Awards and Hospitality and Retail Awards are now open for 2014.

The 2014 awards are taking place earlier than ever before, with the Product Awards judging set for early April, allowing winners a longer period of time to maximise the benefits of receiving these widely recognised accolades.

These highly sought after awards demonstrate the South West’s commitment to producing food and drink products of an outstanding quality.

The...

Exeter-based PR Consultant Glen King, with clients across the South West, celebrated her TV debut on popular Channel 4 programme, ‘Come Dine with Me’ by hosting a special event to raise awareness for Exeter Foodbank.

Glen organised an evening for close friends and family at the luxurious kitchen showroom Sapphire Living Space located at Topsham which was sponsored by V-Zug. Guests were welcomed with wine and canapés and asked to donate tins and packets of food for the local worthy cause.

A charity raffle with prizes donated by local independent companies was drawn by BBC...

Southbrook School pupils are growing seasonal vegetables in their allotment and making soup for the homeless of Exeter. The Soup Kitchen at St David’s Church receives batches of nutritious soup from Southbrook which is distributed on Thursday evenings to the homeless.

The project won this year’s ‘Excellence in Exeter Community Award’ competiton for school based projects that have a direct benefit to the local community. The award forms part of the University of Exeter’s annual ‘Excellence in Exeter’ graduation style awards evening; designed to encourage young people to engage with...