For the third year running, the hugely popular Taste East Devon food festival is taking place from 9-24th September 2023. The 16-day celebration sees award-winning venues, producers, chefs and restaurants across East Devon join forces again to celebrate the incredible food and drink on offer across the region.
Founder members include River Cottage, THE PIG-at Combe, Darts Farm, Mazzard Farm, Otter Brewery, Deer Park Country House, East Devon AONB, Donkey Sanctuary, Jack in the Green and Lympstone Manor. The region's well-known celebrity chef and television personality, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, comments on the food festival: “Our commitment to seasonal, local and ethically produced food is at the heart of everything we do at River Cottage, and the producers and makers who contribute to Taste East Devon embrace this message too.
“So, we are delighted to be involved again this year in this hugely popular Food Festival.” He continues: “We are looking forward to some new producers making a first-time appearance alongside some old favourites, and I'm sure the packed programme of events will draw people in from near and far.”
Another key player on the East Devon food scene, Michael Caines, chef and patron of Lympstone Manor, says: “This food festival takes a different format to most, which are fixed in one place. It provides a fantastic opportunity to visit a wide range of food, drink and hospitality businesses within the 16 days enjoying everything from wine and beer tastings to sociable feasting evenings and fine dining experiences.”
Michael Dart, one of the founders of Darts Farm, continues: “It's the wide range of food and drink events on offer which makes the festival so popular. People are becoming more and more interested in where their food & drink comes from, choosing to support local businesses and the provenance behind them.
“We have found over the past couple of years that tickets have sold out quickly, so this year, we have added a host of educational events and activities that will appeal to foodies, families, friends & individuals. Creating a real buzz around the incredible food and drink in the East Devon region.”
The festival starts with the iconic Ottery St Mary Food and Families Festival with the duration of the festival seeing a whole host of tasting experiences, set menus and events across East Devon; including an evening with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at River Cottage and a Seasonal Feast in Darts Farm's outstanding new restaurant, The Farm Table.
Ruud Jansen Venneboer, Taste East Devon Chair and owner of Mazzard Farm accommodation, says: "During the last two years the festival has been a huge success. East Devon has an incredible food community, and it's always amazing to see so many world-class businesses join together and really put our beautiful part of the county on the map.” The programme of events will be available to view at www.tasteeastdevon.co.uk.
East Devon is uniquely placed with prized food treasures to discover across the region. It's one of the only counties that has access to the best fresh seafood from the coast; its own native Ruby Red Devon Cattle; unique topography and climates that enable sheep farming to thrive; ancient, traditional orchards and beautiful coastal fields providing the perfect positioning for heritage vineyards. East Devon has been home to and inspired generations of farmers and artisan producers for centuries and remains the perfect destination for all food lovers.
