Tag: food

Secret Location Dining on Exmoor: A Mediterranean Feast

Join us for our second Secret Location Dining event for an evening of good food, a stunning location and a bit of a mystery where we are going to take you!

If you are dreaming of a sunny holiday in the Mediterranean, of eating delicious, freshly prepared food in a Taverna with a glass of wine while watching the sun go down over the sea – then this is the event for you.  Our South African Chef Sam and his team will serve up a delicious Mediterranean buffet to remind you of hot evenings in Spain or Greece. Hopefully the Exmoor weather will do the rest!

And here is the new menu:

Starter (Sharing Platter)
A selection of charcuterie from Somerset Charcuterie
Served with –
Cheese Stuffed mini peppers
Olives
Hummous
Grilled Haloumi
Dolmades
 Focaccia
Breadsticks

Mains (Buffet)
Smokey Albondigas with tomato salsa
Yoghurt marinated chicken skewers cooked on the BBQ
Lebanese style lamb kebabs
Stuffed sweet peppers (v)
Patatas bravas (v)
Tabbouleh (v)
Greek Salad (v)
Vegetable couscous with harissa dressing (v)

Dessert
Honey pistachio tart with yogurt.
Baklava

Your Ticket includes:

  • Transport to and from the venue
    (pick-up from West Somerset Railway Station in Minehead at 7pm)
  • A “Travel Bag” with a 20cl bottle of Prosecco and a few other goodies to enjoy on your scenic journey to the venue
  • A choice of Pimms or Raspberry Prosecco Cocktail on arrival
  • Home-made Lemonade
  • Half a bottle of wine
  • The full menu (see above – and possibly even more!)

PS We are hoping to be able to dine al fresco. But if it is too cold, to wet or too windy, then we will retreat indoors and admire the stunning view through large windows!

 

Foodies invited to join in with Exmoor Food Festival

EXMOOR rCENTRER- A dining CelebrationA FOOD festival designed to help showcase Exmoor’s top chefs, growers and producers launches next month (February, 2017), and more restaurants than ever have signed up for the Exmoor Food Fest.

Top pubs and restaurants will be offering specially priced menus on selected days during February to encourage diners to eat out as part of the Exmoor Food Fest.

“It’s an event to showcase the very best the region has to offer diners and it is a celebration of all local produce and the culinary expertise we have here on our doorstep,” explained Paul Berry, patron of award-wining gastro pub The Swan in Bampton, who is also one of the chefs taking part in the VIP launch at the Luttrell Arms in Dunster.

Restaurants are offering a special Exmoor Food Fest deal during February with two courses priced £10 and three courses £15.

The Exmoor Food Festival runs throughout February and is organised by Elke Winzer who is also behind Exmoor4all, an online platform for all things Exmoor related, including an online shop, and the Exmoor Markets.

All participating restaurants are entering the Taste of Exmoor Awards. The public is invited to vote for their favourite dining experience online.  The Exmoor Chef of the year will be crowned at an awards ceremony on 27 March at Butlins.

For further information about restaurants participating in the Exmoor Food Fest, please go to www.exmoorfoodfest.com

exmoor-food-fest

Date for the Diary: Farm & Food Tour across Exmoor

Join Shaun and Daphne for a scenic drive across the moors in a LandRover to a remote hill farm for a tour of the farm with the farmers who will show you their free range pork, Dexter cattle, dairy goats and alpacas. You are then invited into the traditional farmhouse for refreshments and tastings of the delicious food they produce, followed by a demonstration of alpaca wool spinning.

10 February 2017
Depart Luccombe 1.30 pm, transport provided.  
Return to Luccombe approx. 5.00 pm
On the road from Exford to Porlock. Photo by Rob Hatton, February 2013
West Country Farm & Food Tours
When we talk to people about our business, we often receive comments relating to our enthusiasm and passion. We thought you might like to know why we do what we do.

1) We get a kick out of the facial expressions of our tour guests when they learn something new or taste something delicious. We enjoy receiving feedback from our host farmers and food producers – especially when they’ve opened someone’s eyes to something they didn’t know existed. Seeing our group purchase produce direct from its source knowing they will enjoy eating it later really makes us smile.

2) We get to spend the day travelling around the stunning countryside of the West Country, pootling along country lanes and visiting locations that are often not open to the general public – heaven! For our guests who dont know the area or who dont like narrow lanes with high hedges, we take away the stress of reversing or getting lost and replace it with comfort, companionship and commentary.

3) Food. We like food – especially locally produced food. One of the most important elements of a day out with us is our lunch stop. Sometimes we will head to a café, tea room or pub, other times one of our host food producers will provide a light lunch at their location. We can also make use of suppliers to create yummy picnics that we can enjoy wherever we choose.

4) We see ourselves as a link bringing together suppliers (farmers and food producers) and consumers (our tour guests). We might visit a farm to learn about their beef production, but our guests will leave knowing there are idyllic holiday cottages and a camp site there too. Our group will learn where products can be purchased in the future too, such as local farmers markets or on line.

5) Our transport is provided by local community transport groups for which we pay a commercial rate. This enables them to use the money to support the vital community based work they often struggle to fund. We make sure we treat the drivers properly too – they come on the visits and enjoy lunch with us.

6) Children are indeed the future, and we want to give them a taste of our tours too. Already some of our tour guests have given us a contribution to our education fund, and some of our host farmers have insisted on giving their fee to the cause. Our aim is to be able to provide local schools with a taste of West Country Farm and Food Tours.

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.

Dulverton Farmers Market: Buy local this Saturday!

The Dulverton Farmers Market returns to the Lion Stable Car Park this Saturday, 30 July, from 10am till 4pm.  It is a fantastic opportunity to stock up on local produce and find locally made gifts.

Amongst the traders are Secret Orchard Cider, Little Oak Farm (sausages), Styles Ice Cream, Grown Up Marshmallows, JinKs Art, and Rupert Smith Wildlife Photography, plus many more.

The Jubilee Inn – A new place to stay and eat on Exmoor

The Jubilee Inn is a newly refurbished boutique Inn and restaurant with luxurious guest accommodation on the Somerset/Devon Border, under the internationally renowned Dark Skies Reserve above Exmoor National Park.  We offer fabulous fine dining or classic Inn food cooked to perfection, accompanied by fine wines and ales.  It’s a perfect place to relax with a warm welcome in beautiful, yet comfortable surroundings which are both elegant and a little bit quirky!

badgeThe Jubilee Inn is open for casual or fine dining from Tuesdays to Sundays. It is also possible to just pop in for a pint and enjoy the views.  You could even stay a little longer and explore Exmoor, the Two Moors Way, and Devon’s vast array of attractions which make this such a cherished part of the UK.

You find The Jubilee Inn just along the B3227, around 6 miles from South Molton service station and under 2 1/2 hours from London Paddington via Tiverton Parkway Mainline station (2 hour fast train).

The Elliott family along with their creative and outstanding Executive Chef Sam Salway look forward to welcoming you to this unique Inn nestled in the heart of the South West, under the first European Dark Skies Reserve – Exmoor National Park.

CONTACT

East Anstey
South Molton
Devon
EX36 3PH
Website:  www.thejubileeinn.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/jubileedining
Twitter:  twitter.com/jubilee_inn

Dunster Food Festival starts tomorrow 

Over 40 producers and street food traders will be at the Dunster Tithe Barn from 10.30am till 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, while a number of restaurants and local traders have also got into the spirit offering Exmoor Food Fest deals in the village.
    
Please note that there are no parking facilities at the Dunster Tithe Barn.

Exmoor Food Fest launches at The Castle in Taunton

Award winning chefs from the 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)

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
The Castle Hotel, Taunton

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 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.

The latest from Exmoor4all

We have been busy…

The Exmoor Food Fest preparations are gathering pace.  We have just signed off a campaign on The Breeze starting on 4 January 2016 to shout out about a month long celebration of the best our region has to offer.  

Participating restaurants will be offering two courses for £10.00/ three courses for £15.00, and we are finalising exciting events which include gin tasting, oyster and champagne feasts, evenings with local authors, dining experiences in unusual locations and so much more.

The Dunster Food Festival, which is taking over the whole of Dunster at the end of February, is going to be foodie heaven.

Fingers crossed we will be able to give you all the details about the Gourmet Trains which will be run by West Somerset Railway in February – all we can say at the moment is that award winning chefs will be cooking on these trains.

The website www.exmoorfoodfest.com will be updated regularly – please keep checking it out for the latest information.

The Exmoor Food Fest (or Exmoor4all for that matter) does not receive any official funding. Without the generous help from Arthur David –  Food with Service we would  not be able to run this food festival. 

Thank you all for your ongoing support!

PS You can subscribe to our newsletter here – that way you will not miss out on any updates.

***

Here are some of our upcoming events:

1£30.00 per person (incl. two course dinner)

The Beatles and The Stones – The two bands that have defined popular music were often pitted against one another during the Sixties.
Richard Havers, who has written extensively about both bands and worked for them on various projects, delves into their enduring appeal and unravels some of the mystery as to what makes them so timeless. With music and photographs.

Tickets are available from The Culbone: Call 01643 862259

Exmoor on a Plate: Oysters & Champage

3More details coming soon…. It will be a great opportunity to taste Porlock Oysters. Make sure you don’t miss out and book your place now.

Call 01643 862259 (The Culbone)

“Barn Food” with Claire’s Kitchen

2An amazing meal in very unusual surroundings, that’s Claire’s Kitchen’s pop-up restaurant in one of the medieval barns at the Exmoor Owl & Hawk Centre in Allerford on 10 February. Tickets are selling fast – don’t leave it too late.  Click here to book your place.

Photo of the Week

04 Dec Bob Cowlard

Early November morning. Photo by Bob Cowlard.

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:

The Exmoor Food Fest is sponsored by
Print