Wealth of Somerset producers at Exmoor Food Fest this month

For the sixth time, the Exmoor Food Fest is celebrating the very best that Exmoor’s hospitality sector has to offer.

Venues all over Exmoor and a little bit beyond are offering special deals for lunches and dinners.

Many have also put accommodation packages together so that visitors can stay the night too.

The month began with a launch dinner at Kentisbury Grange at the end of January where head chef James Checkley was joined in the kitchen by Damian Wager.

During Exmoor Food Fest it will be the first time that the learners from Foxes Hotel in Minehead will be joining in the fun of taking part in the Exmoor Food Fest. In addition to the ‘meal deal’ offer, the learners will also be offering specially themed events.

Foxes is the UK’s only fully operating training hotel for young people with learning difficulties.

From the kitchen to the serving the food and the cleaning of the rooms, all jobs are given to young people aged between 16 and 24 under the guidance of their teachers.

Michelin starred Thomas Carr at The Olive Room is again offering a fantastic experience at his restaurant in Ilfracombe. The award-winning chef, who has also represented the South West in the BBC’s Great British Menu, has been a supporter of the Exmoor Food Fest since it started in 2015.

One event that is going to be quite different is the Winter Feast at Horner Farm on the Holnicote Estate on Exmoor.

On February 22, there will be a rustic dinner in one of the barns, with a chance to try meat from Dexter cattle and sheep raised on the farm.

Exmoor is well known for its game - reason enough for the Anchor Inn at Hillfarrance to dedicate an evening to The Best of Game on February 27.

If game is not something you fancy, then also on February 27, there will be An Evening of Wine at La Petite Bouchée in Tiverton, with their wine supplier, Moor Wine.

Enjoy an Exmoor Park steak and wine night in The Brasserie at The Carlton on February 28, with local farmer Chris Lerwill.

You will have the opportunity to meet Chris during the evening and he will be talking about his family’s traditional methods of farming, including sustainable animal husbandry and the benefits it brings.

The Lerwill family have been raising beef on Exmoor since the 12th century and all their cattle are hand reared using non-intensive methods and benefit from a high biodiversity structure and varied diet.

On the final weekend in February (February 29/March 1) a Taste Exmoor Food & Drink Festival will take place.

Traders and local producers will be putting up their stalls at the Porlock Village hall.

From gin and cider to sausages and cakes, there will be lots of local producers, including Bake Me Crazy, Exmoor Distillery, Thunderflower Gin, Horner Farm and Selworthy Pantry.

The Harbour Cafe & Gallery (who will also be offering special deals throughout February at their premises at Porlock Weir) will be running a cafe over this weekend, and there will be ample opportunity to try (and take home) lots of food and drink from the region.

There are also many other restaurants in Somerset that are taking part in the Exmoor Food Fest 2020.

These include:

• The Royal Oak in Withypool
• The Rising Sun in West Bagborough
• The Exmoor White Horse Inn in Exford
• The Old Ship Aground in Minehead
• The Rising Sun Hotel in Lynmouth
• The Pyne Arms in East Down
• The Kings Arms in Georgeham
• Tarr Farm Inn in Dulverton
• The Coach House by Michael Caines in Barnstaple
• The Hartnoll Hotel in Exe Valley
• The Rock Inn Waterrow in Waterrow

Anyone wishing to plan their gourmet trip across Exmoor will be able to look up restaurants on a map and see what will be offered when and where on the Exmoor Food Fest website.

To find out more visit exmoorfoodfest.com