Devon Celebration of Food puts Devon on the map as one of UK’s most important foodie regions!

Dedicated foodies will be heading to Devon next month for the Celebration of Food festival which is being launched in the grounds of the beautiful Combe House Hotel, near Honiton. Devon Celebration of Food which opens on October 1 is part of the UK’s biggest food festival, the South West Celebration of Food and it showcases the very best of the county’s outstanding food producers and chefs. Now in its ninth successful year in Devon, the Celebration of Food will see 85 food and drink events taking place throughout October. Food lovers will get to enjoy fabulous local food from some of the leading restaurants and producers, including celebrity chef hosted events, family-friendly foraging days, and special dining out offers. The Celebration kicks off at Combe House Hotel (www.combehousedevon.com) on 1 October, where artist Richard Adams will be exhibiting his latest work. Councillor Will Mumford, Devon County Council’s Executive Member for Economic Regeneration and Strategic Planning, said: “Food and drink is at the heart of the Devon economy. The industry supports thousands of jobs, from small family-run businesses to larger companies, as well as safeguarding our natural environment. Devon County Council is committed to promoting the food and drink industry and encouraging residents and visitors to buy locally, and supports business through training and advice. We are pleased to sponsor the Devon Celebration of Food for the third year. It provides a great showcase for the very best the county has to offer and encourages visitors to try new tastes and meet the people behind the stories.” Celebration of Food this year will be incorporating the Dartmouth Food Festival (www.dartmouthfoodfestival.com) where a hundred exhibitors will be offering a delicious range of products. Demonstrations and workshops will also be running throughout the four day event which takes place from 20-24 October. Other events include those at Gidleigh Park, situated in the natural beauty of Dartmoor National Park, where a number of events will take place on its 107 acre estate. Head gardener Andrew Brimblecombe will be giving a personal tour of the grounds and gardens on October 13 and 26. Also, in the hotel’s two-Michelin-star restaurant, executive chef Michael Caines MBE and head sommelier Edouard Oger will be combing their talents to stage a fabulous fine dining evening. The hosts will personally introduce an eight course dinner with specially selected accompanying wines on 4 October. The National Trust will be staging a number of outdoor events including deer watching walks and fungi foraging rambles. Visitors can take a guided morning walk during the fallow deer rut and finish with a well earned full English breakfast in the Castle Drogo café on 17 October. Or go hunting for mushrooms and berries at one of the many events being hosted by the National Trust across Devon. Join celebrity chef Mitch Tonks who is hosting his own intimate dinner and lunches at the Seahorse restaurant in Dartmouth with a team of well known co-hosts including Henry Dimbleby on 20 October; Valentine Warner on 22 October; Mark Hix on 23 October; and Diana Henry on 24 October. Further details from: www.seahorserestaurant.co.uk In addition to these fantastic events, many established venues will be running special Eat Out for £10 offers throughout the month. Restaurants such as The Terrace Café, Northcote Manor and the Waterside Bistro will be offering great locally-sourced meals for this very palatable price. For more information: For full listings of what is going on in Devon and beyond, visit the Celebration of Food website at: www.celebrationoffood.co.uk. Sept 2010 [Devon F&D 04]