Monday 22 December 2014

Devon Food Events 22nd December - 28th December

Every week we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Tuesday 23rd December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
Exeter Night Market

Wednesday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market

Friday 26th December (Boxing Day)
Clovelly Boxing Day New Orleans Style Barbecue

Saturday 27th December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
South Molton Pannier Market
Bratton Fleming Farmers Market

Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Friday 19 December 2014

Devon Food Events 20th December - 21st December

Every weekend we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Saturday 20th December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
The Big Sheep Bideford Christmas Farmers Market
Dartington Christmas Fair
South Molton Pannier Market
Bovey Tracey Farmers Market
Atlantic Village Farmers Market

Sunday 21st December
Dartington Christmas Fair

Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Monday 15 December 2014

Devon Food Events 15th December - 21st December

Every week we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Tuesday 16th December
Torrington Indoor And Craft Market
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
Exeter Night Market

Wednesday 17th December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market

Thursday 18th December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
South Molton Pannier Market
Buckfastleigh Farmers Market

Saturday 20th December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
The Big Sheep Bideford Christmas Farmers Market
Dartington Christmas Fair
South Molton Pannier Market
Bovey Tracey Farmers Market
Atlantic Village Farmers Market

Sunday 21st December
Dartington Christmas Fair

Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Friday 12 December 2014

Devon Food Events 13th December - 14th December

Every weekend we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Saturday 13th December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Marker
The Big Sheep Bideford Christmas Farmers Market
South Molton Farmers Market

Sunday 14th December
Barnstaple Real Food Market


Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Monday 8 December 2014

Devon Food Events 8th December - 14th December

Every week we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Tuesday 9th December
Torrington Indoor Food and Craft Market
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
Exeter Night Market

Wednesday 10th December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market

Thursday 11th December
Ashburton Fish Deli Anniversary Celebrations
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
South Molton Pannier Market
Buckfastleigh Farmers Market

Saturday 13th December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Marker
The Big Sheep Bideford Christmas Farmers Market
South Molton Farmers Market

Sunday 14th December
Barnstaple Real Food Market


Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Friday 5 December 2014

Devon Food Events 5th December - 7th December

Every weekend we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Saturday 6th December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
The Big Sheep Christmas Farmers Market Abbotsham
South Molton Farmers Market
Bovey Tracey Farmers Market
Atlantic Village Farmers Market
Ilfracombe Farmers Market
Ruby Country Market Hatherleigh

Sunday 7th December
RHS Rosemoor Christmas Food Fair
Hartland Farmers Market
Bovey Castle Christmas Fair

Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Monday 1 December 2014

Devon Food Events 1st December - 7th December

Every week we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Tuesday 2nd December
Torrington Indoor Food And Craft Market
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market

Wednesday 3rd December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
Newton Abbott Christmas Fair

Thursday 4th December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
South Molton Pannier Market
Buckfastleigh Farmers Market

Saturday 6th December
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
The Big Sheep Christmas Farmers Market Abbotsham
South Molton Farmers Market
Bovey Tracey Farmers Market
Atlantic Village Farmers Market
Ilfracombe Farmers Market
Ruby Country Market Hatherleigh

Sunday 7th December
RHS Rosemoor Christmas Food Fair
Hartland Farmers Market
Bovey Castle Christmas Fair

Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Friday 28 November 2014

Devon Food Events 29th November -30th November

Every weekend we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Saturday 29th November
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
South Molton Pannier Market
Atlantic Village Farmers Market

Sunday 30th November
Dartington Love Food Winter Activity

Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Monday 24 November 2014

Devon Food Events 24th November - 28th November

Every week we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Tuesday 25th November
Indoor Food and Craft Market Torrington
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market

Wednesday 26th November
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market

Thursday 27th November
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
South Molton Pannier Market
Buckfastleigh Farmers Market



Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Friday 21 November 2014

Devon Food Events 22nd November - 24th November

Every weekend we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Saturday 22nd November
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers market
South Molton Pannier Market
Bratton Fleming Farmers Market


Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Monday 17 November 2014

Devon Food Events 17th November - 21st November

Every week we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Tuesday 18th November
Indoor Food and Craft Market Torrington
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market

Wednesday 19th November
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market

Thursday 20th November
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers market
South Molton Pannier Market
Buckfastleigh Farmers Market

Friday 21st November
Medieval Banquet Kingsbridge Inn Totnes


Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Friday 14 November 2014

10 Signs You Are in a Good Restaurant

Masons-Arms-Devon--006

When it comes to visiting a restaurant, there are lots of ideas about what is a sign of a good one and what isn’t. The ultimate sign is, of course, good food but there are other factors that can help tip a visit from an okay one to a good one.


Some people look at external factors before they even step in the door but these can be variable. For instance, if there aren’t a lot of cars in the car park, is this an indicator of a bad restaurant? Not really, it could just be that your visit is at a quieter time or is near public transport so people can have a drink and not use the car.


First impressions


1. Server promptness

When you first walk into a restaurant, you want someone to acknowledge you as soon as possible. Whether this is to guide you to a table or a waiting area or, if you haven’t booked, tell you how long a wait will be for one, prompt acknowledgment is always a good sign


2. Server knowledge

When you are at your table and start looking at the menu, you may need to ask question about dishes or ingredients. Your server should be knowledgeable but also know when to get a second opinion. For example, if someone has an unusual allergy, it is okay for them to go check with the chef if the dishes are safe for that person. They should also know what is available or not from the items on the menu.


3. Ambience

The overall ambience and feel of the restaurant is important and shows thought has gone into its design. Some places can be a little cramped or designed in such a way that the noise level spoils conversation.

Little details


4. Clean facilities

Health and safety is a massive area but even just the little details of the bathroom facilities are important. They may be clean to the standard of the law but is it welcoming? Is the water warm? Plenty of soap? Paper towels readily available or other drying materials?


5. Are the free items good quality?

Many places will offer free bread and butter or breadsticks with or before the meal. A sign of a good restaurant is that the free items are as good quality as the things you pay for.


6. Accommodating within reason

There are always people who make outlandish requests and restaurants shouldn’t have to always concede to these but for simple requests such as a sauce on the side or a salad without dressing should be accommodated.


Getting the meal


7. Food arrives together

One very important sign of a good restaurant is that no matter how many are in the party, the food arrives for everyone at the same time. No-one should be left sitting without their meal while others either start without them or sit while their food gets cold


8. Plate temperature

If it is a hot meal, the plate should be hot but if it is a cold meal, then the plate should be the same.


9. Server checks in during the meal to see if there’s anything else you need

While you don’t want to be badgered by your server, an occasional check to see if the meal is okay or if you want anything else is an important part of good service.


10. Plates are cleared but not too quickly

One of the biggest irritations in restaurants is where the plates are either left until the moment before the next course arrives, or are whipped away from you the second the last morsel of food is eaten. The right timing is in the middle.


Do you agree with our list? Let us know your top tips when looking for a great place to eat!




Devon Food Events 15th November - 16th November

Every weekend we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Saturday 15th November 
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Barnstaple's historic Pannier Market offers a huge range of exciting fresh produce and has been voted amongst the top ten food markets in the country.
Bideford Farmers Market
South Molton Pannier Market
Bovey Tracey Farmers Market
Atlantic Village Farmers Market

Sunday 16th November
Clovelly Herring Festival


Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Organic Christmas Hampers from Trill Farm, Axminster, Devon



Originally posted on Eating Exeter:



The Trill Winter Seasons Box is a delicious organic hamper full of exclusive seasonal products from Trill Farm an organic farm in Devon owned by Romy Fraser OBE (founder of Neal’s Yard Remedies). The Trill Winter Seasons Box is the ideal Christmas gift for a discerning friend or loved one this year. Order now and expect delivery on Wednesday 17th December.


The Trill Winter Seasons Box costs £75 and includes organically grown and responsibly-made products from all parts of Trill Farm: food and drink, natural health and beauty, homewares and garden. Each item is a celebration of the organic and wild offerings of the land, skilfully created using minimal processing and packaging. The majority of the Trill Winter Seasons products are unique to the box, and not available to purchase through the Trill Farm Shop website.


It’s a chance to experience a selection of high-quality products based on what’s…



View original 777 more words






Sunday 9 November 2014

Grazing Kate: Devon Cafe Review: Venus Cafe, Blackpool Sands, Da...

Grazing Kate: Devon Cafe Review: Venus Cafe, Blackpool Sands, Da...: I was a guest at Venus Cafe at Blackpool Sands near Dartmouth.  The location is stunning.  The privately owned beach is immaculate and the...

Friday 7 November 2014

Devon Food Events 10th November - 14th November

Every week we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Tuesday 11th November 
Barnstaple Pannier Market 
Barnstaple's historic Pannier Market offers a huge range of exciting fresh produce and has been voted amongst the top ten food markets in the country.
Bideford Farmers Market
Torrington Indoor Food and Craft Market

Wednesday 12th November
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market

Thursday 13th November
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
South Molton Pannier Market
Buckfastleigh Farmers Market

Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Monday 3 November 2014

Devon Food Events: 3rd-7th November 2014

Every week we bring you information on the latest food events in the county.
For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/whatson

Tuesday 4th Novembe
r
Barnstaple Pannier Market 
Barnstaple's historic Pannier Market offers a huge range of exciting fresh produce and has been voted amongst the top ten food markets in the country.

Indoor Food and Craft Market Torrington
Bideford Pannier Market

Wednesday 5th Novembe
r
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
RHS Rosemoor Food Fair

Thursday 6th November
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
South Molton Pannier Market
Buckfastleigh Farmers Market


Have you got a food event? Let us know at A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Monday 13 October 2014

What's On This Week: October 14th-17th 2014

What's On This Week
Each week we bring you information on the latest food events going on in Devon.

For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit http://www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/
Tuesday 14th October
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
Wednesday 15th October
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
Thursday 16th October
Barnstaple Pannier Market
Bideford Farmers Market
South Molton Pannier Market
Buckfastleigh Farmers Market
Friday 17th October
National Red Vanilla Day Bickleigh Castle Tiverton

A Taste of Devon - Home | Your Local Food & Drink Guide
www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Monday 4 August 2014

Farm to Table


Love Devon Food & Drink? Visit our website for the latest news, reviews, what's on, special offers and competitions  www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Friday 1 August 2014

Interview with Jack Lucas



On a grey morning in London, six strangers sat in a hotel lobby, subtly trying to work out who amongst the other guests was wearing flat shoes – and were the people that were, their MasterChef rivals?

I was one of the six and I had the great pleasure of meeting Jack, Rani, Jess, Peter and Terry -before embarking on one of the most emotionally intense journeys of my life.

By the time it came for me to leave the competition I was sure of one thing, Jack would go far!

I know from personal experience just how passionate and talented he is, so it’s been a real pleasure for me to quiz Jack and find out how life has changed after becoming a 2014 MasterChef finalist.

Monday 21 July 2014

Summer Berry Jelly



This decadent summer dessert is bursting with juicy seasonal berries, with just the right amount of bubbly for a seriously tasty grown-up treat. 

Get the Recipe - Summer Berry Jelly

Wednesday 16 July 2014

A Taste of Devon Weekly Podcast - July 16th





8 Cooking Hacks That Will Change Your Life

Monday 14 July 2014

Devon Food Events - What's On This Week July 14-20th 2014

Every week we bring information you the latest food events in the county. For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit www.atasteofdevon.co.uk

Thursday 17 July 2014 to Monday 21 July 2014
Somersault Festival
LONG TABLE FEASTS
4 DAYS OF UNDER-CANVAS DINING FROM SOME OF THE UK’S MOST REPUTED CHEFS
Take your place and tuck in with Somersault’s Long Table Feasts, amazing under-canvas dining like you’ve never experienced before.

We’ve hunted hungrily across the land and hand-picked four of our favourite restaurants, with Fifteen Cornwall, Nathan Outlaw, Pitt Cue Co. and The Ethicurean all bringing their unique offerings to the table. For more information please visit http://somersaultfestival.com/

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sunday 20 July 2014, 11:00am - 04:00pm
Exeter Forest School & Shillingford Organics 2014 Open Day

Join Exeter Forest School and Shillingford Organics for their annual Family Fun Open Day on Sunday 20th July 2014. A great day out for all the family and a celebration of Forest School and Farming.
Explore the farm, meet the growers, play and learn in the Forest School with activities including fire lighting, den building, campfire cooking, natural arts, crafts and so much more.

Enjoy delicious local produce from Shillingford Organics, a BBQ from West Town Farm and vegetarian / vegan delights from trained chef Sebastien Plancheon… mmm tasty! There will also be loads of entertainment including Morris Dancing, storytelling and animal singing under our magical 300 year old oak tree.

This is a great opportunity to find out more about the outdoor life, where your food comes from and the amazing benefits of learning and playing outside at Exeter Forest School

Find out more and RSVP online through the website: www.exeteroutdoors.co.uk/open-day

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Full English Sausage Rolls Recipe

This tasty recipe for sausage rolls has been kindly submitted by Glenn Cosby from the Great British Bake Off. 

You can read our interview with Glenn here

These are great to take on a picnic on the beach but are equally good fresh from the oven at a party.
Baking the bacon in the oven until it is brown and crisp is a good tip for adding flavour and texture; it's also a brilliant way to do bacon for sprinkling on salads and things.
500g   pack of all-butter puff pastry, fresh or defrosted
150g   streaky bacon (I prefer smoked)
400g   sausages
4         medium eggs
60g     sun-dried tomatoes
120g   black pudding
1 egg

1.        Put the oven on at 200°c or gas mark 6 (if using defrosted pastry take it out of the fridge).
2.        Lay out the bacon in strips on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until they are really crisp; a good deep brown means more flavour.
3.        Place the eggs in boiling water for 7 minutes.
4.        Tip the hot water down the sink and leave the hot pan (with the eggs in it) under a cold running tap for a few minutes until the pan and eggs are cold.
5.        Skin the sausages and put the filing into a medium-sized bowl.
6.        Chop the tomatoes and black pudding into chunks and add to the sausagemeat.
7.        Take the bacon out of the oven and allow to cool before chopping into strips and add to the filling mixture; mix all the ingredients together.
8.        Roll the pastry into a large 40cm x 40cm square (the length of a roll of cling film).
9.        Cut the pastry into two equal rectangles and then spread half the filling up the middle of the pastry so that you have two strips of pastry on either side.
10.      Repeat the last step with the other rectangle of pastry and the rest of the filling.
11.      Peel and quarter the eggs and lay them in a row on top of the filling.
12.      Beat the extra egg with a tablespoon of water and using a pastry brush coat the pastry on either side of the filling with the egg.
13.      Roll one strip of pastry on top of the filling - it doesn't need to be tight but try to avoid leaving much air in the middle. Roll the other strip of pastry so that it is on top of the first. Then brush the top of the roll with the beaten egg.
14.      Take a large, sharp knife or a bread knife and slice each sausage roll in half and then cut them in half again.
15.      Place the sausage rolls on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake at 200°fc for 30 minutes until they are a good crisp colour.

A Taste of Devon Weekly Podcast - July 9th





Try A Taste of Devon





Monday 7 July 2014

Food Events in Devon 7-13th July 2014

What's On This Week



Every week we bring information you the latest food events in the county. For our full calendar including details on Farmers and Produce Markets please visit http://www.atasteofdevon.co.uk/

Friday 11th July - Sunday 13th July
★ Devon Food Festival & Tiverton Balloon Festival

Entice your taste buds at the Devon Food Festival - part of the Tiverton Balloon Festival, taking place from Friday 11th July through to Sunday 13th July. This exciting event is to be held on the combined Petroc and Tiverton High School campus and will feature a whole host of flavours from across the South West of England, the UK and around the World.

Petroc Campus
Bolham Road
Tiverton
EX16 6SQ

Saturday 12th July - Sunday 13th July
★ Topsham Food Festival

The Topsham Food Festival and Nello's Longest Table will be taking place this year on the weekend of July 12-13, 2014. Tables for Nello's Longest Table can be reserved by way of Liz at Route 2 Café Bar.

As in previous years, there will be a Food Festival on Topsham Quay on Saturday, as well as activities at Dart's Farm and in the Pebblebed Cellar. Activities on Topsham Quay will include a Slow Food Market, cooking demonstrations with local chefs, street food vans serving excitingly delicious foods, and live music in the evening.
Visit www.topshamfoodfestival.org.uk for more information

Saturday 12th July
★ Family Fun Day - Tipping the Scales

Come along and see the Fishy Art created by local primary schools & nurseries.

There will be lots of FREE fun on the day including art workshops for children, story telling, face painting, cookery demonstrations, lobster hypnotising, mobile vintage cinema, local musicians amongst much much more.

Petroc Brannams Campus
Roundswell
Barnstaple
EX31 3NJ

Sunday 13th July
★ Barnstaple Real Food Market

Barnstaple Real Food Market is a monthly food market, regularly supplying high quality local produce.

Barnstaple Pannier Market

Friday 4 July 2014

Kitchen Tips - Use up Leftover Jam to make a Fruity Vinaigrette



Use leftover jam to make a fruity dressing. Simply add 3 parts Extra Virgin Olive Oil and 1 part Vinegar to the jar and shake.
Try these combinations:

Strawberry - Balsamic, use to dress greens such as Spinach, Rocket and Basil
Raspberry - Red Wine Vinegar, use to dress nutty and fruity salads
Blackberry - Red Wine Vinegar, serve with salads containing bacon or game
Fig - Cider Vinegar, serve with goats cheese salads
Caramelised Onion - White Wine Vinegar, good all purpose dressing

© Dawn Gribble 2014 - For more great recipes visit www.atasteofdevon.co.uk 

Thursday 26 June 2014

Are You Looking for a Great Place to Eat?

We know that consumers want fresh food, made with quality produce that represents good value for money and of course from local business who use fresh local ingredients. 

Perhaps most importantly is that consumers want this information to be easily accessible and at their fingertips. Now it's even easier to find a great place to eat in Devon!

Our new mobile site is now live simply scan the QR code or visit mobile.atasteofdevon.co.uk
For our desktop site go to www.atasteofdevon.co.uk  




Wednesday 25 June 2014

How To Hull a Strawberry with a Straw (Remove the Stem)

#KitchenHack It's that time of year again! this handy kitchen hack will have you enjoying your strawberries in no time 

Sunday 15 June 2014

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day is always a little bittersweet for me. I lost my Dad when I was little and a few years ago I lost my Father-in-Law, but I have 2 wonderful sons and we look forward to today as an excuse to spoil their Dad, my hubby.

Unsurprisingly food always plays a central role in any event in our house, and today is no exception.

We've kicked off the day with Eggs Benedict - toasted English muffins with bacon, poached egg and Hollandaise sauce. Hollandaise is a rich emulsion sauce made with butter, egg yolks and flavoured with lemon juice. 

Here's my recipe:

125g Unsalted butter
2 Egg yolks
2 tsp White wine vinegar
Salt & Pepper

You'll need a saucepan, glass bowl and a whisk. Cut the butter into cubes and leave in the fridge until you need it.

Place the egg yolks and vinegar in the bowl and whisk until the mixture is pale and fluffy, this should take about 2-3 minutes and by this time the volume should have doubled.

Set the bowl in the saucepan over simmering water, the water should not touch the bottom of the bowl. Add one of the cubes of butter and whisk until it has dissolved, add another cube and repeat - once the first few cubes have been incorporated you can add a few at a time until all have been used.

Keep an eye on the heat as you don't want the sauce to split, if it starts to look grainy remove from the heat immediately and whisk in an ice cube to save.

Once all the butter has been added season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice. 

Breakfast over with my thoughts now move to dinner, I picked up a lovely roasting joint of beef from the butcher - I would always recommend going to a local butcher over a supermarket. The meat tends to be local and of better quality. I'll be making a traditional roast complete with potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, a rich pan gravy and vegetables. 

For the vegetables I'll be serving sliced mange tout and wild mushrooms sauted in butter. 

The only decision left to make, is what to have for pudding....




Tuesday 10 June 2014

So, what's it all about?

Let's get straight to the point - who am I and what am I doing?

Well... I've always loved food with a passion, I've spent my whole life developing recipes, learning new techniques and cooking every spare minute I get, in 2014 I appeared on MasterChef (UK Series 10) where I received very positive feedback from John Torode for my traditional Devon Squab Pie (after filming was complete he told me that he was going to keep the recipe) Series 2 Winner Peter Bayless enjoyed my Chocolate Orange Fondant commenting that I could come round his house and cook that for him any time! Sadly due to some timing issues I didn't make it to the quarter-finals, but being part of the competition really made me reevaluate my life, and what I wanted to do with it, and A Taste of Devon was born.

My website features

* A Directory of hand-picked Devon Restaurants, Cafes and independent food producers

Unlike other resources, A Taste of Devon is run by human beings, ones that live in Devon - the businesses featured have been investigated, and where possible visited, so that you know you can trust the quality of your search. As well as finding Devon Restaurants, Cafes and Pubs you'll also find Cakes and Bakers, Beer & Cider, Meat, Cheese, Seafood, Spices, Jams... in fact you'll be spoiled for choice :)

I didn't want the site to be just about the directory - I want to share my passion for food and for Devon, with the world.
So, you'll also find

* Restaurant and Product Reviews
* Seasonal, Traditional and Rebooted Recipes
* Interviews, Events, Articles, Special Offers, Competitions and More

The website launches on Friday 13th June 2014 and we've got some great interviews coming up, including the lovely Glenn Cosby from the Great British Bake Off, and my friend and MasterChef Finalist, Jack - and that's just for starters!

I will be updating this Blog on a regular basis to keep you in touch with all the new and exciting things happening in Devon, as well as bringing you seasonal recipes
and kitchen hacks. Be sure to check back regularly for more information about A Taste of Devon as well as Competitions, Special Offers and Foodie News.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please email me, and please visit the website www.atasteofdevon.co.uk