Devon festival expected to attract thousands of visitors
East Devon is preparing for a bustling September with thousands of visitors to a major festival.
Thousands are expected to attend events during the Taste East Devon Food Festival (9th-24th September).
Back for its third year, the festival promises to showcase the best that the area has to offer, with some exciting new additions and sold out events at River Cottage, Darts Farm, Coldharbour Field Kitchen and Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary.
From mouth-watering food markets and street food extravaganzas to immersive gastronomic workshops and exclusive dining experiences, the 16-day festival offers something for everyone.
The region’s well-known celebrity chef and television personality, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, comments on the food festival: “This is so much more than a traditional food festival,” he told the WMN.
“It’s a unique opportunity to experience East Devon in an entirely new light. We can’t wait to welcome visitors to our little corner of the South West and share all the amazing food and drink that it has to offer.
“I am delighted to be hosting the new Gut Health Revolution event at Darts Farm. It’s a sold out event and I am very much looking forward to sharing my own enthusiasm for the topic, alongside experts from the gut health industry.”
Another key player on the East Devon food scene, Michael Caines, chef and patron of Lympstone Manor, said: “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.
“During the festival, make sure you come down to Mickey’s, in Exmouth, to give our delicious Taste East Devon Lunch Menu a try or head over to Lympstone Manor for a special Vineyard tour and wine tasting lunch with Lyme Bay.”
Ruud Jansen Venneboer, chair of Taste East Devon and owner of Mazzard Farm Holiday Cottages, said: “Last year’s festival was a huge success. It solidified that East Devon has an incredible food community, and it was amazing to see so many award-winning businesses join together and really put our district on the map.
“This year, we have popular events returning and a range of exciting new events on offer. It’s set to be bigger and better than ever before. Whether you’re a food lover, a cooking enthusiast, a resident of East Devon or a visitor to the region, we invite everyone to join us and indulge in East Devon’s wonderful produce.”
Leader of East Devon District Council, Cllr Paul Arnott said: “We’re tremendously proud of our local roots. East Devon is our home – we are keen to support activities that bring people together, encourage community spirit, support the local economy and local producers. Taste East Devon allows businesses with shared values to collaborate and shout about the diverse, high quality food and drink offer in East Devon. Being able to celebrate the district in this way is such an incredible privilege.”
