Events & Festivals

This September will see East Devon become a foodie’s delight as the field to fork Taste East Devon Food and Drink Festival takes over the countryside.

The festival will feature award-wining chefs, including Michael Caines and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, restaurants and producers for nine days from 11 to 19 September.

Michael Caines and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

From brewery open days, to farm feasts and tastings some events are free and others ticketed, but all will be full of entertainment.

Michael Caines says, “We needed to have something in the calendar that said we are going to celebrate this wonderful region. Our own identity is shaped by the places and the people who live here – so come and be a part of it.”

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall says of East Devon, “Food entrepreneurs. They come to grow, they come to experiment, they come to diversify. They come from places where the land is more mono-cultured – and there are still opportunities here to do really amazing things with food. The productivity – the entrepreneurial spirit of small growers and producers – it has become a bit of a Mecca.”

Taste East Devon Food and Drink Festival

Participating pubs, restaurants and producers include: Lympstone Manor, Darts Farm, Otter Brewery, THE PIG-at Combe, Mazzard Farm, The Donkey Sanctuary, River Cottage and Jack in the Green.

However it is not just the food and drink that makes this part of the UK so special, East Devon possesses the Jurassic Coast as well as two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As all the events are only half an hour from the sea, you can always combine a tasting with a quick dip or wonderful walk.

Taste East Devon Event Highlights

11 September

12pm to 6pm @ Darts Farm: picnic with vineyard tour, tastings.

6:30pm to 8:30pm @ Sidmouth Gin School: gin and rum making.

12 September

9am to 5:30pm @ Otterton Mill: gin distilling day.

13 September

2pm to 4pm @ THE PIG-at Combe: kitchen Garden Gurus – how to run a kitchen garden.

5pm to 7pm @ Sidmouth Distillery: spirit tasting.

6pm to 9pm @ Deer Park: cider and wood fired pizza.

14 September

11am to 4pm @ Samosa Lady: samosa making workshop.

@ Lympstone Manor: vineyard tour followed by a celebratory ‘Devon’ lunch with wines from Lyme Bay Winery.

@ The Jack in the Green: cocktails and canape night.

15 September

6:30pm to 10.30pm @ Otter Brewery: brewery tour and pizza.

12pm to 5pm @ Heron Farm: BBQ, wine tours and tastings.

16 September

11:30am to 2:30pm @ The Donkey Sanctuary: two-course vegan lunch and talk.

7pm to 10pm @ Jack in the Green: Meet the Brewer evening with Otter Brewery, five-course tasting menu.

17 September

10am to 3pm @ Two Drifters Distillery: open day with cake and cocktails.

6pm to 9pm @ The Nightjar Inn: homemade pie and pint night.

6.30pm to 7.30pm @ River Cottage: six-course feast.

18 September

11am to 3pm @ Dalwood Vineyard: tour, tasting and food.

7pm to 10pm @ Darts Farm Field: fire, ferment evening tasting feast.

19 September

12pm to 7pm @ THE PIG-at Combe: summer party, with food, drink, live music, food masterclasses and gardening pop-ups.

All week

@ The Point Bar and Grill: Celebration of Exmouth seafood specials.

15 to 18 September

@ The Salutation Inn: local seafood six-course tasting menu with a glass of English fizz on arrival.

Taste East Devon Festival

For more information and regular updates, click here.

All images couresty of Taste East Devon Food and Drink Festival.