Category: Exmoor Food Fest

Exmoor Food Fest: Oriental Banquet at Knowle Manor with Claire’s Kitchen

Join us for a delicious banquet in the splendid setting of Knowle Manor near Dunster prepared by Claire’s Kitchen.

£25.00 per person

Complimentary glass of Prosecco or Elderflower Spritzer

Canapés on arrival
Mini Thai Blue Swimmer crab cakes with Claires Kitchen Chilli Jam and micro Basil

Starter
Vietnamese Tiger Prawns on a fragrant Asian salad

(V)Vietnamese Wild Mushrooms on a fragrant Asian salad

Main
Little Oak Farm Free range double cooked Char Siu pork on  a spring onion and Szechuan soba noodle stack

(V)Thai sweet potato curry with coconut pilau rice and a pineapple, cucumber and coriander salad


Dessert
Cinnamon, ginger and star anise poached pineapple upside down cake, pineapple syrup with a vanilla creme fraiche

There will be a licensed bar.

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Exmoor Food Fest 2017: The Countdown begins!

Celebratory Dinner to countdown to Exmoor Food Fest 2017

Join us on 21 September 2016 at 7pm for the 

Exmoor Food Fest 2017 Media Launch
at
Knowle Manor

Claire’s Kitchen is serving up an Exmoor Feast!

5 courses for £50.00

Claire’s Kitchen Elderflower Cocktails on arrival

Canapes
including crispy wonton with blue swimmer crab, poached pineapple, spring onion and chilli jam

Vietnamese Poached Duck Leg on an Asian salad
with a fresh coriander and sweet chilli dressing

Local Braised Shin of Beef
with melting onions, Rosemary Boulangere potatoes, leek gratin croquetas 

Blackberry and White chocolate Cheesecake
with a Sloe Gin ice cream and Brandy Snap Crumble

  Local Cheeseboard
served with Claire’s Kitchen homemade cider shots

Vegetarian options will be available.

LIMITED SPACE!

Book now

A celebratory dinner on 21 September 2016 at Knowle Manor near Dunster will launch the countdown towards the 2017 Exmoor Food Fest which will take place across Exmoor during February 2017.

Media and the public are invited to join the Exmoor Food Fest team for an Exmoor Feast served up by Claire’s Kitchen, a local catering company run by Exmoor Ambassador chef Claire Lynch.

“2017 will be our third year,” explains festival coordinator Elke Winzer, who runs Exmoor4all, a social media platform for all things Exmoor, and also works for Visit Somerset and Exmoor Tourism.

“We have just been advised that the Exmoor Food Fest is a finalist in the Somerset Life Food & Drink Awards as best food event in Somerset. This is an extraordinary achievement for such a young festival, and we are grateful to our sponsors Arthur David whose generous support made it possible to get the Exmoor Food Fest off the ground.”

During February, restaurants, including several with Michelin stars and numerous awards, across the region offer 2 courses for £10/ 3 courses for £15.  In addition, a range of foodie events take place, from tastings through to gourmet dinners at unique locations. A food and drink festival in Dunster on the last weekend of February will yet again be the grand final.

“We estimate that the hospitality sector in the region was boosted by £450,000 during February, a traditionally quiet month, by the Exmoor Food Fest 2016.  We hope to increase this figure in 2017 by working closely with travel and food bloggers as well as Visit Somerset and Exmoor Tourism, raising awareness of the event further afield. We will also work with the West Somerset Railway to make certain events more accessible for visitors from Taunton,” explained Elke Winzer.

Barn Dinner

Last Wednesday, Claire’s Kitchen put up a pop-up restaurant in one of the Medieval barns at the Exmoor Owl & Hawk Centre in Bossington.  50 guests enjoyed an owl display before sitting down for a Mediterranean fest of suckling pig cooked on the spit and paella.

Here are some photos taken on the night by James Alexander:

The Exmoor Food Fest has been sponsored by Arthur David.

 

One Night. Four Chefs. A Taste of Exmoor.

Only 2 days to go!!!!

Award winning chefs from the Exmoor region are joining The Castle’s head chef on 28 January in Taunton to prepare a mouthwatering Taste of Exmoor menu.  Tickets are limited, so early booking is very advisable:

Canapés & Fizz
Hospitality Students
(The Combe, West Somerset College, Minehead)

Starter
Olivier Certain (Clavelshay Barn, North Petherton)
Pays d’Oc, Laurent Miquel, Père et Fils, Grenache-Syrah

Slow Roasted Belly of Little Oak Farm Pork, Black Pudding & Quail Scotch Egg, Apple and Cider

Fish Course
Mark Dodson (Mason Arms, Knowstone)

Pan Fried Scallop with a Thai Style Salad, Rice Wine Dressing

Main Course
Liam Finnegan (The Castle Hotel, Taunton)
McHenry Hohnen, Shiraz, Margaret River, Western Australia

Roast Exmoor Venison Loin, Faggot, Red Cabbage,
Jerusalem Artichoke and Wild Mushrooms

 Dessert
Paul & Donna Berry (The Swan, Bampton)

Lemon Cheesecake with Exmoor Wolf Gin, Tonic and Thyme Sorbet

Petit Fours and Breads
The Castle Hotel

Four course dinner:  £75.00 per person
(including a glass of fizz & 2 glasses of wine)

BOOK NOW

Award winning Exmoor-based chefs are joining The Castle’s head chef Liam Finnegan to cook up a Taste of Exmoor menu as the launch of the 2016 Exmoor Food Fest which takes place all over Exmoor in February.

The Chefs:
Mark Dodson
Mark and his wife Sarah took over the The Mason Arms in Knowstone in June 2005. In July 2006, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star which they still hold. Since then, Mark and his team have gone from strength to strength, receiving many awards and accolades, including Michelin Pub of the Year 2010.
Prior to moving to Exmoor, Mark spent twelve years as Head Chef of Michel Roux’s Waterside Inn in Bray.
Paul and Donna Berry
There aren’t many awards Paul and Donna haven’t won for their historic pub “The Swan” in Bampton.  Best Trencherman’s Pub of the Year 2016, Visit Devon Pub of the Year Gold Award, and AA Gold Star Award are amongst the most recent accolades, recognising Paul’s and Donna’s passion for food and the use of local, seasonal produce.

Liam Finnegan
Liam Finnegan, who has been head chef at The Castle Hotel in Taunton for three years, grew up in Carlingford, Co Louth in Ireland from where he still sources their famous oysters. However, whenever possible, he uses local suppliers.

Liam’s career path took him through some fantastic restaurants such as The George Hotel on the Isle of White, The Bath Priory and Gidleigh Park where he worked for Micheal Cains, and The Nuremore Hotel (Ray McArdle). When asked about awards Liam counters that a full restaurant and happy customers are more important. “Of course accolades are brilliant, but anything we get, we receive and share as a team.”

Olivier Certain
Marseille-born Olivier moved to Somerset in 1998 following his Michelin star training in La Bonne Etape Chateau Arnoux and Les Roches in Le Lavandou.  In 2006 he joined Woods in Dulverton as head chef where he achieved 2 rosettes and the accolade of Somerset Dining Pub of the Year 2008, 2010 and 2011. In 2009 in reached the finals of the South West Chef of the Year competition.

Olivier now heads the kitchen at Clavelshay Barn in North Petherton.

The Students
The Year 13 hospitality students from train at West Somerset College, Minehead under Chef Lecturers Paul Ruttledge (a former British Master Chef) and Werner Hartholt.

Exmoor Food Fest launches at The Castle Hotel in Taunton

One Night. Four Chefs. A Taste of Exmoor.

Award winning chefs from the Exmoor region are joining The Castle’s head chef on 28 January in Taunton to prepare a mouthwatering Taste of Exmoor menu.  Tickets are limited, so early booking is very advisable:

Canapés & Fizz
Hospitality Students
(The Combe, West Somerset College, Minehead)

Starter
Olivier Certain (Clavelshay Barn, North Petherton)
Pays d’Oc, Laurent Miquel, Père et Fils, Grenache-Syrah

Slow Roasted Belly of Little Oak Farm Pork, Black Pudding & Quail Scotch Egg, Apple and Cider

Fish Course
Mark Dodson (Mason Arms, Knowstone)

Pan Fried Scallop with a Thai Style Salad, Rice Wine Dressing

Main Course
Liam Finnegan (The Castle Hotel, Taunton)
McHenry Hohnen, Shiraz, Margaret River, Western Australia

Roast Exmoor Venison Loin, Faggot, Red Cabbage,
Jerusalem Artichoke and Wild Mushrooms

 Dessert
Paul & Donna Berry (The Swan, Bampton)

Lemon Cheesecake with Exmoor Wolf Gin, Tonic and Thyme Sorbet

Petit Fours and Breads
The Castle Hotel

Four course dinner:  £75.00 per person
(including a glass of fizz & 2 glasses of wine)

BOOK NOW

Award winning Exmoor-based chefs are joining The Castle’s head chef Liam Finnegan to cook up a Taste of Exmoor menu as the launch of the 2016 Exmoor Food Fest which takes place all over Exmoor in February.

The menu showcases the best the region has to offer. It is a celebration of local produce and local talent.

Elke Winzer, who is organising the Exmoor Food Fest as part of Exmoor4all, is delighted that so many outstanding chefs are bringing the best of Exmoor to Taunton.

“The launch at the renown Castle in Taunton brings some of the amazing Exmoor chefs together who all take part in the Exmoor Food Fest which takes place all over Exmoor in February.  It is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness of the high standard of Exmoor restaurants some of which are hidden gems,” explained Elke.

Liam Finnegan commented: “We are excited to host the launch of the Exmoor Food Fest. It is a great opportunity for us chefs to work together and create a stunning menu.”

Award winning chefs Mark Dodson, Paul and Donna Berry and Olivier Certain  are joined by the hospitality students of the West Somerset College training restaurant The Combe in Minehead. The students will prepare the selection of canapés which will open then night’s food celebration with a glass of fizz.

The Chefs:

Mark Dodson

Mark DodsonMark and his wife Sarah took over the The Mason Arms in Knowstone in June 2005. In July 2006, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star which they still hold. Since then, Mark and his team have gone from strength to strength, receiving many awards and accolades, including Michelin Pub of the Year 2010.

Prior to moving to Exmoor, Mark spent twelve years as Head Chef of Michel Roux’s Waterside Inn in Bray.

Paul and Donna Berry

logoThere aren’t many awards Paul and Donna haven’t won for their historic pub “The Swan” in Bampton.  Best Trencherman’s Pub of the Year 2016, Visit Devon Pub of the Year Gold Award, and AA Gold Star Award are amongst the most recent accolades, recognising Paul’s and Donna’s passion for food and the use of local, seasonal produce.

Liam Finnegan

Liam low resLiam Finnegan, who has been head chef at The Castle Hotel in Taunton for three years, grew up in Carlingford, Co Louth in Ireland from where he still sources their famous oysters. However, whenever possible, he uses local suppliers.

Liam’s career path took him through some fantastic restaurants such as The George Hotel on the Isle of White, The Bath Priory and Gidleigh Park where he worked for Micheal Cains, and The Nuremore Hotel (Ray McArdle). When asked about awards Liam counters that a full restaurant and happy customers are more important. “Of course accolades are brilliant, but anything we get, we receive and share as a team.”

Olivier Certain

Olivier CertainMarseille-born Olivier moved to Somerset in 1998 following his Michelin star training in La Bonne Etape Chateau Arnoux and Les Roches in Le Lavandou.  In 2006 he joined Woods in Dulverton as head chef where he achieved 2 rosettes and the accolade of Somerset Dining Pub of the Year 2008, 2010 and 2011. In 2009 in reached the finals of the South West Chef of the Year competition.

Olivier now heads the kitchen at Clavelshay Barn in North Petherton.

The Students

The Year 13 hospitality students from train at West Somerset College, Minehead under Chef Lecturers Paul Ruttledge (a former British Master Chef) and Werner Hartholt.

Date for the Diary: Dunster Food Festival – 27&28 February 2016

This is going to be the grand final of the Exmoor Food Fest 2016:

We will be taking over the whole of Dunster, with local producers, street food traders, crafters and artists in various locations such as the Tithe Barn, the Yarn Market, Memorial Hall and Dunster Castle.

There will also be cooking demonstrations and much, much more…

Are you a producer or an artist? Do own a local business? Would you like to take part? Then get in touch:

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The Exmoor Food Fest is sponsored by
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Book now: “Barn Food” with Claire’s Kitchen

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Join us for an evening with a difference, a one-off experience, which involves a stunning, albeit unusual location, an owl display and, of course, fabulous Mediterranean food prepared by Claire’s Kitchen.  It will be a night to remember!
Booking is absolutely essential.

Date:                                  Wednesday, 10 February 2016
Time:                                 19:00
Venue:                               A barn at the Exmoor Owl and Hawk Centre, Allerford  TA24 8HJ
Dress Code:                     Please wear sturdy shoes and warm clothes (layers are a good idea!)

The barn will be heated, but we strongly recommend that you bring a blanket, just in case. It is winter, after all!        

Ticket*:                             £ 32.00 plus P&P  

Book now

Menu:

Canapés

Roasted red peppers and anchovy salad on roasted garlic toasts
Chorizo tortilla with allioli

Sharing Starters

Pea soup with a crispy serrano ham crouton and basil oil
Gambas pil pil (sizzling gambas prawns)
Piquillo rellenos de queso de cabra (goats cheese stuffed piquillo peppers)

Sharing Mains

Suckling pig cooked whole on a spit with a mediterranean herb and garlic marinate
Red pepper and halloni paella on a rich Sofrito base
Chorizo with tomato butter beans, parsley and Claire’s Kitchen Lynch cider
Poor man’s potatoes cooked with the suckling pig with onions, rosemary and garlic

Dessert

Almond cake with Crema Catalina ice cream, custard caramel and a cherry compote

***

Claire Lynch of Claire’s Kitchen will be assisted by hospitality students from West Somerset College’s hospitality department.

All dietary requirements can be catered for if advised prior to the event.
Please contact us if you need any advise about allergens.
Vegetarians catered for.

Cash bar.

* Tickets will be posted at the beginning of December 2015 in time for Christmas

***

The Exmoor Food Fest takes place all over Exmoor during February 2016.  Participating restaurants will offer 2 courses for £10.00/ 3 courses for £15.00 during that time.  We are also organising and promoting a number of events which aim at highlighting the best Exmoor has to offer. For full details please go to www.exmoorfoodfest.com (we are constantly updating the website)

Exmoor Food Fest is sponsored by Arthur David and supported by Somerset Life and Devon Life magazines.

Exmoor Food Fest 2016: Meet Arthur David

Somerset based wholesale food company Arthur David is once again sponsoring the Exmoor Food Fest which will take place across Exmoor in February 2016.  Without the generous support it would be impossible to run the Food Fest.

History2Many people will know Arthur David the business, as it has operated in and around the South West for the past 53 years, but many may not know the story of the man behind the name.

Arthur is a born & bred Somerset man who started his working life in the Farming industry. He moved to Bristol to marry Diana and joined her family in the fresh produce business.

He soon realised that Fruit & Veg was the life for him and branched out on his own starting Arthur David & Co.

After several years operating from central Bristol, Arthur was missing the countryside12241672_958453700890645_497843768859712263_n and decided to get back to his rural roots and moved out in to the beautiful Chew Valley.

The business was by then well established and the light Blue A.David vans became famous around the area. It is now quite often said that you cannot go 10 minutes in Bristol without seeing one of our brightly liveried vans.

Arthur is by definition a true entrepreneur and always looked for the next product or service he could offer to his customers. Indeed Arthur was the very first person in the region to offer Prepared Vegetables and put significant investment in to a state of the art preparation plant at Bishop Sutton.

Over the years we have seen many different fresh produce suppliers come and go, but Arthur has always held the strong core value of exceptional customer service dear to his heart and has weaved this mentality throughout the business.

Next GenThe business is run today by Arthur’s eldest son Phil who has an even greater desire to see the business his father started flourish. Phil has also inherited the natural “Branson like” entrepreneurial mind-set and continues to innovate to ensure the business is offering its customers just what they require. This has been evident in recent years with the introduction of an extensive Fine Foods product range enabling our clients to place their order right up until 11pm for next day delivery. Never wanting to be second best, Phil has ensured that the business operates at the very highest standards, so things like BRC A grade accreditation, finding the very best team and a fleet of impressive chilled vehicles are a pre-requisite.

PrintThe business has been known for many years as A. David & Co. Ltd but very recently the directors decided to alter the name to Arthur David, Food with Service Ltd. This is a great mix of the traditional and the new and will serve as a legacy to the great work that Arthur started all those years ago.

Phil knows that great people deliver great service so has built a strong team to ensure Arthur David stays at the forefront of the industry. Jon Evans who is today joint MD with Phil also has an unerring passion for Customer Service and believes in their mantra of “Leave it with us” so much; he has it tattooed on his arm!

So all in all the company has a rich history and still remains one of the most important players in the buoyant and exciting Bristol Food scene.

If you are looking for advice, innovation or just great service give us a call, and……………

“LEAVE IT WITH US”

If you are looking for a local supplier of fresh fruit and veg, then give Arthur David a call on 08444 120 555. You can follow them on Twitter @ADavidandCo and find them on Facebook.

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Exmoor Markets at the Exmoor Owl and Hawk Centre

We have teamed up with the Exmoor Owl and Hawk Centre in Allerford for a number of events in 2016.

banner__014_med-2On 10 February 2016, there will be a pop-up restaurant with Claire’s Kitchen at one of the barns.  Guests will have the opportunity to watch an owl display before sitting down for a mediterranean dinner which will include paella and suckling pig on a spit.  We are still working on the finer details, but will post the menu and everything else you’ll need to know for a fab and unusual evening as soon as possible.  Tickets will be limited and will have to be purchased in advance.  You might like to bear this in mind for a Christmas present!

 

During 2016 we are going to run three Exmoor Markets at the Centre:

Sunday, 13 March 2016 (free entry to the Centre; £5.00 per person for the owl display show)

Sunday, 12 June 2016 (normal admission)

Sunday, 16 October 2016 (free entry to the Centre; £5.00 per person for the owl display show)

If you are a trader (food, street food, arts, craft…), then please email us at exmoor4all@gmail.com, contact us via the link below or download the registration form here: Exmoor Market Reg Form – Falconry

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