Returning for its fourth year this September, the Taste East Devon Festival highlights the region’s culinary talents and producers.
Words by Lydia Paleschi
Founded by local icons like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage, Darts Farm and Lyme Bay Winery, the Taste East Devon Festival promises an exceptional gastronomic experience. Spanning through from September 14th to 22nd, attendees can enjoy food fairs, vineyard tours, tastings and family-friendly activities across picturesque sites in East Devon. However, what distinguishes this nine-day celebration is its collaboration among local enterprises, each renowned for unique flavours and a commitment to sustainability. Drift explores the festival’s highlights and the stories behind the businesses that make it a must-attend event.
Celebrating provenance
A key aspect underpinning the Taste East Devon Festival is provenance, with a strong focus on locally sourced produce. It’s no surprise that Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage is one of the founding members of the event. River Cottage, with its philosophy deeply rooted in sustainability and self-sufficiency, is more than just a business; it is a movement. For years, it has guided food lovers on a journey from farm to fork, most famously through Channel 4’s River Cottage series. Hugh and his team take immense pride in sharing the provenance of their food, detailing how the plants, meat and fish are foraged, grown, raised or caught locally. Their dedication to seasonal, local, organic and wild (SLOW) ingredients influences every aspect of their operations, from their farming methods to their menus.
Originally based in Dorset, River Cottage is now located near Axminster in Devon. This 100-acre farm is home to an award-winning sustainable cookery school and an on-site café, serving as the antithesis of unhealthy, processed food. River Cottage HQ offers a wide range of courses that cover the full spectrum of self-sufficient food provision. With topics ranging from gardening, foraging and artisanal skills to fermenting, nutrition, and cooking, River Cottage leaves no stone unturned in its dedication to teaching off-grid growing and showcasing the brilliance of British produce. They will be sharing their knowledge at Taste East Devon Festival through their River Cottage Seasonal Nutrition for a Healthy Gut class, plus their Long Table Feast, which embodies the essence of their farm-to-fork approach.
Bringing together local businesses
The spirit of locally sourced, high-quality produce is also exemplified by Darts Farm, which began in 1971 as one of the UK’s first pick-your-own businesses pioneered by farmer, Ronald Dart. Over the past 30 years, his sons Michael and James have evolved a small roadside hut into one of the most iconic food destinations in the country, still driven by the same core values of community, sustainability, seasonality and supporting local.
Darts Farm has grown into a nationally award-winning farm shop, overlooking the beautiful Clyst Valley. At the heart of the business is their working farm, run by eldest brother Paul. Using traditional farming methods and centuries-old rotational practices, the farm thrives on its rich, red Devonshire soil. Each morning, the farm team hand-picks fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables to sell directly through the farm shop, ensuring that customers receive the freshest produce possible.
Darts Farm’s dedication to local sourcing is evident not just in their produce but also in their relationships with other local businesses. They actively partner with a network of local food producers, fostering a community of like-minded individuals committed to quality and sustainability. This collaborative spirit will be exemplified during Taste East Devon by their East Devon Food Heroes Dinner at The Farm Table. Their Darts Farm Food Festival also forms part of the larger festival itinerary and promises to introduce attendees with the people behind some of the West Country’s best produce.
Quality and innovation
Joining River Cottage and Darts Farm in the celebration of local excellence is Lyme Bay Winery, a trailblazer renowned for its innovative approach to crafting exceptional beverages. Situated in the serene Axe Valley, Lyme Bay Winery has garnered acclaim over its 30-year journey, earning prestigious accolades from competitions such as the International Wine Challenge, the International Wine and Spirit Competition and the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Lyme Bay Winery’s commitment to quality and innovation is exemplified through their diverse range of products, including English wines, fruit wines, meads, liqueurs and spirits. Their Sparkling Rosé Wine has been the recipient of the People’s Choice Wine Award for two consecutive years and their Pinot Noir 2020 secured an IWSC Trophy in 2022, marking the first English red wine to achieve this distinction.
Beyond their award-winning beverages, Lyme Bay Winery is committed to sustainable practices. They source grapes from selected growers across the country, ensuring that only the finest grapes from the best vineyards are used in their wines. This meticulous approach not only guarantees quality but also supports local agriculture and promotes sustainable viticulture practices.
During the Taste East Devon Festival, Lyme Bay Winery invites visitors to experience their guided tasting sessions, expertly paired with artisanal cheeses from Quicke’s Cheese, another esteemed local producer. Set within the winery’s Cellar Door, these tastings offer a journey through flavours that highlight the best of the region’s offerings.
Connecting with the harvest
Amidst celebrating East Devon’s culinary talents, Taste East Devon also provides opportunities for attendees to connect with the local harvest. Discover the diverse world of seaweeds along East Devon’s beautiful coastline with Ebb Tides Seaweeds, an award-winning business. Led by Tony Coulson, you’ll learn about the benefits of seaweeds and how to incorporate them sustainably into your daily life. The coastal walk introduces you to various edible seaweeds, fostering a deeper connection to East Devon’s maritime environment.
There’s also the chance to explore East Devon’s ancient orchards for apple picking and pressing activities accompanied by live music, delicious food and drinks. Hosted by Courtney’s, this event invites you to experience the joy of harvesting and pressing apples, either from the orchard or by bringing your own for juicing. These harvesting events celebrate the region’s natural and agricultural heritage, providing attendees with a hands-on experience that connects them with the East Devonshire landscape. They offer a chance to engage directly with the land and sea, ensuring an enriching and authentic experience for all participants.