A 16 day food & drink festival like no other!
Renowned producers, chefs, venues and restuarants from East Devon have joined together to present Taste East Devon Festival. From farm feasts to brewery open days; seafood tasting experiences to BBQ's and parties. Founders include local celebrity and chef, Hugh Fearnley - Whittingstall from River Cottage, Lympstone Manor who have their own vineyard, restuarant and hotel, Otter Brewery, The Pig, Darts Farm and Deer Park Country House, to name just a few.
A selection of events include...
City to Sea Taste Trail at Darts Farm, Saturday 9th September from 10am - 4pm. Darts Farm is at the start & finish of the incredible Exe Estuary bike trail. They have teamed up to bring you a foodie bike trail! Bring your own bike or hire from them. Registration includes a wristband which can be used to get exclusive tastings and discounts at pitstops, inclduing a homemade Darts Farm gelato on your return.
If that doesn't take your fancy head down to Ottery St Mary, there's a pop up farmer's market at Coldharbour Farm (EX11 1QL) where they'll be showcasing the very best from Devons amazing farming community. Browse an outstanding range of produce from preserves and baked goods to ales and ciders as well as crafts. There is also a live food demo from the festivals own super talented chef, Oli Smith and food from their own field kitchen. This is a FREE event, also running from 10am - 4pm on Saturday the 9th September! Can you visit both events?!
Monday 11th September brings a Kitchen Garden tour and lunch at The Pig at Combe, just 30 mins away from our base near Ashill! Running from 11am - 1pm.
It’s all about the Kitchen Garden at this stunning restaurant with rooms tucked into the folds of the Otter Valley! The Pig at Combe has a huge commitment to home grown produce and a serious love of all-things local, the garden and kitchen teams work hand in hand to create the restaurant’s 25-mile menu, which is supported by dedicated local farmers and small producers, who supply anything that the team cannot grow or produce themselves.
Spend an afternoon exploring the three walled gardens and glasshouse at The Pig with the resident team of Kitchen Garden gurus – learn about what goes into running a working Kitchen Garden 365 days a year, what plot to plate really means at The Pig and what unusual varieties grow down at the bottom of the garden…
You will then be treated to wood-fired flat breads and Kitchen Garden mocktails in the grounds.
£20 per person, 12 places available.
To book call the team at The Pig - at Combe on 01404 540400 to book your place.
After an informative afternoon at The Pig why not head down to Sidmouth Distillery Gin School from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. This will be a fun evening learning about your favourite Gin whilst also making your very own bespoke bottle using a wide range of botanicals all provided or bring your own. £75 per still (for two).
To book, call 01395 513018. 5 Church Street, Sidmouth EX10 8LY
If you're a shellfish fan then this next event on Tuesday 12th September is perfect for you! Running from 6pm - 9pm, The Salutation Inn is hosting a Devon Shellfish Dinner where you're likely to enjoy mussels, crab & lobster to name just a few.
The evening includes...
An arrival drink of Lyme Bay Brut reserve and amuse bouche in SALT their on site fish shop.
A welcome from Tom, owner and fishmonger at SALT and the Salutation Inn, he will talk you through their passion for the sea and what you will be eating through the evening.
A menu consisting of shellfish from our local waters - with a starter, intermediate, main and dessert course.
Book a table at your preferred time, direct on 01392 873060 or email info@salutationtopsham.co.uk
Let them know whether you would like to be seated in the GlassHouse or Restaurant.
£79.50 per person - Full payment is taken upon booking.
The Salutation Inn, 68 Fore Street,Topsham, Exeter, Devon, EX3 0HL.
Next, onto the breathtaking Lympstone Manor. A luxury five star hotel with views over the stunning Exe Estuary. Chef patron Michael Caines MBE serves michelin star fine dining...if that isn't enough to persuade you to visit; 10.8 acres of the manor's 28 acres of land is a vineyard! On the 13th September from 10am - 3pm Lympstone Manor is hosting a vineyard tour, wine tasting and exclusive lunch with James Lambert from Lyme Bay Winery.
Arrive at 10.30am for tea and coffee before being taken on a tour of the Vineyard.
Following your tour of the Vineyard, James from Lyme Bay Winery will guide you through an exclusive wine tasting comparing a selection of English Wines before taking your seats in our fine dining rooms for a four course lunch followed by coffee and petits four.
£155 per person, tickets can be booked here. Don't miss out!
Courtlands Ln, Exmouth EX8 3NZ
Just over 20 mins away from our base at Blackdown Luxury Lettings is Heron Farm Vineyard and on the 13th September from midday - 5pm they are hosting a Garden BBQ.
Their talented chef team will be bringing you a range of dishes including meat, vegetarian and vegan options all cooked on drum BBQs, near the Cocktail Shack. Live music will play in the walled gardens, and garden games are available in the playpark. During the Vineyard BBQ, the Cocktail Shack & Bar located in the walled garden, will be open serving some cracking cocktails, great local beers, ales, ciders, spirits and their own Heron Vineyard wine.
£15/plate (£12 for vegetarians & £7.50 for kids) to include meat, vegetarian and vegan options, veggies & salads from our kitchen gardens, pickles, dips and breads.
Any queries, contact 01404 46208 or email hello@heron-farm.co.uk
Heron Farm, Weston, Honiton, Devon, EX14 3NZ.
If you couldn't make it to Lymptone Manor for the vineyard tour and tasting, make sure you don't miss out on this next event! Thursday 14th September from 2pm - 4pm
Lily Farm Vineyard is situated in a vale at Knowle and surrounded by beautiful East Devon countryside and is a small family run boutique vineyard that has been producing award winning world class wines since 2005. The event includes a tour of the vineyard at Lily Farm followed by a tasting of at least 4 of their wines.
£15 per person.
To book your space, call 07977 057864.
Dalditch Lane, Knowle, Budleigh Salterton, Devon. EX9 7AH.
The seafood from the juassic coast is spectacular, so come and find out how to prepare the freshest, local seafood at Lyme Bay Seafood on Friday 15th September all while enjoying a glass of fizz!
Master Fishmonger Simon Baker who will uncover the secrets of fish preparation.
Sessions will run for one hour, choose from 5:30pm - 6:30pm, 6:45pm - 7:45pm or 8:00 -9:00pm.
Tickets cost £10 per person per session and you can book here.
Find out more about Lyme Bay Seafood their website www.lymebayseafood.co.uk and follow on Facebook and Instagram.
Lyme Bay Seafood, Rosemary Ln, Colyton EX24 6LS
If you'd prefer to sample some local ale on the 15th September, head down to join Otter Brewery from 6:30pm - 10:30pm
Enjoy a tour around the brewery with a plentiful amount of tasting and brewery education.
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Arrive - 6.30pm
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Reception - 6.30 - 7.00pm
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Tour - 7-8pm
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Food - from 9pm.
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Carriages - 10.30pm
£27.50 per person.
Find out more about Otter Brewery here and you can contact to book via email or on 01404 891285.
Otter Brewery, Mathayes Luppitt, Devon, EX14 4SA.
Back at Darts Farm on Saturday 16th September from 10am - 4pm they're hosting their fourth and final event of the food festival!
Join them in the Farm Shop for their Field, Fire, Ferment Food Festival where they will be joined by in-house experts & some of their incredible local artisan producers for a day of tastings!
Sample the best fizz from their own Pebblebed Vineyards & try their amazing bean-to-bar chocolate & artisan gelato (both crafted at Darts Farm); along with many other delicious tastings from brilliant artisan producers.
FREE EVENT
Dart Farm Village, Topsham, Clyst St George, Exeter EX3 0QH.
Sunday 17th September brings Party at The Pig from 1pm - 8pm.
An afternoon of food and live music in the grounds of The Pig at Combe.
Enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon with...
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BBQ
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Wood-Fired Flatbreads in The Folly
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Kitchen Garden Veggies & Salads
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Sweet Treats
Including some garden tipples...
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Local Beers & Ales from Otter Brewery
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Pig Cut Red, White & Rosé Wine
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Piggy Cocktails & Pentire Mocktails
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Gin & Tonic from Copperwood
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English wine from Castlewood Vineyard
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Coffee from Blue Goose Coffee
Plus...
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Cooking demonstration from The Pig Chefs
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Garden tours with The Pig Kitchen Gardener
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Meet and greet the Children Hospice South West charity
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Potting Shed mini treatments
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Live music from Dan Tolman
Ticket Prices:
Entrance Ticket (12 years +) - £25.00 (inc booking fee). Under 12s - Free
Ticket includes Entry, Live Music, Masterclasses & Pop Ups – does not include food or beverages.
Find out more and purchase tickets.
The Pig at Combe, Gittisham, Honiton EX14 3AD.
Deer Park Country House are hosting a Cider & Pizza Evening on the 18th September from 6pm - 9 pm.
Enjoy wood-fired pizza from Doughbros with thir own delicious cider.
£25 per person.
Bookings: call 01404 41266 or email hello@deerpark.co.uk or book online through Eventbrite.
Buckerell, Weston, Devon EX14 3PG
Starting to round off the huge number of events is the Taste East Devon Feast at River Cottage HQ running from 6:30pm - 10:30pm on Friday 22nd September. Join River Cottage for a six course feast celebrating the fantastic produce and ingredients that East Devon has to offer, cooked by their talented chef team. Celebrating all that East Devon has to offer, they'll be welcoming a few of their wonderful local suppliers to the event to talk about the fantastic produce incredible region. Each course will be introduced by the supplier who has made that course possible. You'll meet Simon, the local fish supplier; Steve, the beekeeper; one of the Vintage Roots team as well as Jonny and Jim from the River Cottage Land Team. You will leave full of delicious food, happy memories and some garden and kitchen inspiration too!
Highlights:
- Six courses of the finest seasonal, local, organic food
- Chef's welcome with guide to the menu
- Meet some of our local suppliers
- Q+A with our Head Chef
- Time to explore the farm and veg garden
- Dietary requirements happily catered for
This Feast is sponsored by Lyme Bay Seafood and Vintage Roots
£95 per person
River Cottage HQ, Trinity Hill Road, Axminster, EX13 8TB.
Our final selection of events on this blog is Party in the Vineyard at Heron Farm, Sunday 24th September from midday - 5pm.
This is the closing event for the Taste East Devon Festival 2023!
Join them in the stunning walled gardens at Heron Farm Vineyard near Honiton, for a family party afternoon of outdoor feasting, featuring special guests, live music on the terrace and childrens games & entertainment. Optional vineyard tour on the day at £8 per adult. Children under 12 are welcome on the tour at no cost.
The team will be bringing you a range of delicious dishes including meat, vegetarian and vegan options all cooked on our drum BBQs, near the Cocktail Shack. Live music in the walled gardens, and garden games available in the playpark. All the family are welcome.
During the Vineyard BBQ, the Cocktail Shack & Bar located in the walled garden, will be open and can accept cash and card serving some cracking cocktails, great local beers, ales, ciders, spirits and our own Heron Vineyard wine.
Any queries, contact on 01404 46208 or email hello@heron-farm.co.uk
Please remember this blog is just a selection of the events running, do visit the main website for more information and the full selection of incredible events running throughout September; you won't be disappointed! https://www.tasteeastdevon.co.uk/events