Producers, chefs and restaurants join forces to host Taste East Devon festival

East Devon's renowned producers, chefs, restaurants and venues have joined forces to host a 16-day food and drink festival this autumn. 

Taste East Devon will be held from September 9 to 24, with a series of events taking place across the area – from farm feasts to brewery open days, seafood tasting experiences to barbecues and parties.

The programme has been put together as a combined effort from founders River Cottage, Lympstone Manor, The Donkey Sanctuary, The Pig at Combe, Otter Brewery, Mazzard Farm, Darts Farm, The Jack in the Green, East Devon AONB, Deer. Park Country House and East Devon excellence.

Organisers said: "East Devon is a sensational destination for food and drink lovers, with a coastline full of beaches and seaside resorts. The area includes the world-famous Jurassic Coast and two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

"All events are within 30 minutes of the sea, many are right up along the shore. The area is renowned for its locally landed fish and seafood from East Devon day-boats. With a patchwork of fields spanning the region, Devon is home to native breed Red Ruby cattle."

Celebrity chef and founder of River Cottage, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, commented: "It is important that we celebrate what we have. We have this landscape - I don't know the exact term, but I call it Dingly-Dell. Up-hill-and-down-dale… it lends itself to small-scale mixed farming. People doing bits and pieces. 

"And because farms have tended to be small there's been that entrepreneurial spirit of adding value to products with a bit of artisan craftsmanship thrown in. Little dairies with their own cheeses - small farms making their own cider on the side."

Some events during the festival will be free to all and some will be tickets, with a Spicy Night at River Cottage already sold out – so don't delay in booking your favourite events.

Other events in the immediate area will include a steak masterclass and lunch at High Grange Devon in Dalwood on Sunday, September 10; Lyme Bay Winery and Quicke's Cheese tastings at Lyme Bay Winery, in Shute, on multiple dates; and a Taste East Devon six-course feast night at River Cottage HQ on Trinity Hill, on Friday, September 22.

You can download the full event leaflet here and the map here.