A feast of Devon food festivals to savour this autumn

A feast of food festivals to savour and enjoy are being staged in Devon this autumn which will delight the senses. There is a bumper crop of events that showcase the outstanding talents of the county’s renowned food producers and chefs. Smell the cheese, sip the beer and taste the chocolate produced by some of the UK’s finest organic and specialist food artisans and manufacturers at events staged across the county. Expect a warm Devon welcome and a great pint of local ale at AbbFest Beer and Food Festival at Fermoys Garden Centre at Abbotskerswell near Newton Abbot in South Devon (24 - 26 September). Proper Ansome, Menacing Dennis and Autumn Glory will be some of the local beers on offer along with a variety of Devon ciders. This community event raises thousands of pounds for local charities and features sixty food and craft stalls, as well as live cookery demonstrations from renowned local chefs. Take a look at: www.abbfest.org . Walkers and ramblers taking part in the South Devon Walking Festival (25 September – 3 October) will be able to forage for food during a series of wild food walks. The Sharpham Cheese and Wine walk will teach walkers all about grapes and wine production. The Sandy Sunday walk will give families the opportunity to make seaweed pancakes and explore rock pools on the stunning South Devon coastline. Visit: www.southdevonwalkingfestival.co.uk . Many shops, pubs and restaurants in Devon will be taking part in the national celebration of British Food Fortnight (18 September – 3 Oct). Special menus and promotions specialising in the diversity and delicious flavours of local produce will be on offer, check out: www.lovebritishfood.co.uk . And October will see a whole month dedicated to great eating and drinking in Devon with the Celebration of Food festival. With over 85 events to choose from visitors are sure to find something to tempt their tastebuds! Visit: www.celebrationoffood.co.uk . The Exmoor Food Festival from 2 - 10 October brings together events to suit all tastes from tea parties, gourmet meals and pony trekking to wild food, farmers markets and red deer safari meals. www.visit-exmoor.co.uk . Barnstaple’s famous pannier market is the venue for the North Devon Food Fest on Sunday October 17 from 10am. Former Master Chef winner, James Nathan who works as a seafood chef for Rick Stein will be giving cookery demonstrations at the chef’s stage in the pannier market. Visitors will enjoy fresh and distinctive locally produced food and drink as well as the presentation of the annual North Devon Food and Drink Awards. Some of Devon’s best-known chefs will be appearing at the Dartmouth Food Festival (20 – 24 October). Valentine Warner, Mark Hix, Henry Dimbleby, Fergus Henderson and Dartmouth’s own Mitch Tonks will be involved showing off their culinary skills at this most picturesque of venues. 80 exhibitors and live music will be on offer in the town’s Market Square. A whole day will be given over to the delights of South Devon crab, with crab workshops and cookery demonstrations. Visit: www.dartmouthfoodfestival.com . Notes to Editor: Devon County Council is the main sponsor of the 2010 Devon Celebration of Food. In partnership with Visit Devon, the county council supports Devon food and drink producers through a varied programme of skills training and the promotion of local food and drink to both local and national consumers.

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