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Home Page > Want to Find..... > Resources > Events > Food Exhibitions - Open to the Public > More about Exeter Food and Drink Festival

More about Exeter Food and Drink Festival

South West’s finest Food Festival Returns

Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink 2009 (17-19th April)

exeter_food_and_drink_festival_michael_caines_and_children.jpg

Sure to get your taste buds tingling, the South West’s finest food and drink festival is back with three sumptuous days of delicious treats from over 100 regional producers, celebrity chef demonstrations and Food is Fun workshops for all to enjoy.

Set in the regal surrounds of Exeter Castle Courtyard and Northernhay Gardens, visitors can try before they buy in the three Food and Drink Pavilions and pick up hints and tips from some of the region’s top chefs in the Castle Courtyard’s ‘Love Food, Hate Waste’ Celebrity Cookery Theatre.

An exciting hive of entertainment, the Courtyard will also be brimming with delicious food and drink.

Kenniford Farm will be serving up their delicious Hog Roast baps, a pie and mash will be waiting at Pieminster’s stand or for those looking for a bit of a mixture, some paella from Oliva Restaurant should hit the spot. So much indulgence will make for thirsty work though so real ales and ciders from the Contented Cow Beer Festival and the Blackthorn & Tribute bar are sure to be quench thirsts!

As Friday evening approaches, those looking for a little extra entertainment are in for a treat as the first of two Blackthorn & Tribute Festival After Dark events kicks off at 6pm. Having grabbed a drink and some food the crowds will then experience the totally unique ‘Masterchef Medley’, where reigning BBC Masterchef 2009 Mat Follas will step up to the plate with 2008 winner James Nathan.
Both men will be sharpening their knives and donning their chef whites to go head to head at 6.30pm cooking demo. Guaranteed to be a unique visual display of amateur-turned-professional cooking talent, Michael Caines MBE will compere the ‘Medley’, joined by another celebrity from the world of TV (to be announced).

A great start to the night, visitors will then enjoy some Devon v Cornwall rivalry as Ben Bass from The Old Quay House Hotel, Fowey and Angus McCaig of The Holt, Honiton compete to rustle up the best feast of the night at 7.30pm.

Following this, live music from local bands, delicious regional food, real ales and cider all in the surroundings of Exeter Castle’s Courtyard will make for the best night out in the City.

If one night isn’t enough, visitors can feel the heat in the kitchen as Michael Caines takes on Mark Hix of Hix Oyster & Fish House, followed by James Nathan in the Celebrity Cookery Theatre during Saturday night’s Blackthorn & Tribute Festival After Dark.
What would the region’s biggest food Festival be without hundreds of producers showcasing their tasty offerings!

At the heart of Northernhay Gardens will be three huge Food Pavilions, where visitors can take a culinary tour of the South West all in one place. From cakes and preserves, to stunningly hot chillies produced right here in Devon, a plethora of fine food and drink awaits you.

The Food is Fun area, sponsored by Darts Farm, will be one for all ages, whether it’s experiencing a workshop by Mary Berry herself or enjoying a delicious chocolate based tasting workshop for the ultimate sugar rush.

For something stronger, adults can look forward to wine tastings with well known wine journalist, writer and TV presenter Susy Atkins who will be indulging you in some of the South West’s finest wine produce.

With such a mix of activities and celebrities, the Knowledge, Taste and Slow Food Teepees will leave you with a new understanding and love of food from right here in the UK’s foremost food producing region!

Festival co-founder Michael Caines said, ‘We were lucky to have James Nathan appear last year but Mat Follas’ appearance in the 2009 ‘Masterchef Medley’ will make the festival a truly unique and a star studded affair! His appearance is testament to the Festival’s reputation and our wonderful South West producers and chefs, drawing interest from all over the UK.’ Michael went on to say, ‘This year’s dynamic head to head chef demonstration line up, more diverse Food is Fun offerings than ever before thanks to Darts Farm and of course the new website and Facebook page will help bring the Festival to more people of all ages. The Festival is a window into the South West’s food and drink industry so people would be silly not to come and experience the finest fresh produce our region has to offer!

Don’t forget that if you are visiting with a group of 10 or more friends and family, you can receive two tickets absolutely free!

Thanks go to our sponsors including:
Devon County Council; Exeter City Council; Kirk Hills Chartered Accountants; Exeter & Heart of Devon Hoteliers Association; Michael Caines Restaurant; Darts Farm; RH Advertising; Stephens Scown; Taste of the West; National Farmers Union; One Voice Media; Exeter Castle; Brakes; Cornish Mutual; Frobishers; St Austell Brewery; Blackthorn; Don’t let Devon Go to Waste; 3663; In-toto Kitchens.

TICKETS
Tickets are available in advance by calling 01392 211080 or on the day at the three entry points:
Day ticket:                   £5 (CHILDREN UNDER 16 FREE)
3 day ticket:                 £10 (CHILDREN UNDER 16 FREE)
Festival After Dark:     £3 per night
Group offer:                 Buy 10 tickets of any kind and receive 2 further tickets free.

Visit www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk for all the latest news

Notes to editor
For further press information, interviews or images, please contact Alexis Thornely on 01392 278801 or email pr@onevoicemedia.co.uk

Release date: 23 March 09

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