Gourmet Gossip May 2018

We catch up with all the latest news from some of our favourite chefs, eateries, hotels and pubs.

Enjoy a foodie break at Bridge House, Bampton

Having been welcoming guests for more than a century, Bridge House in Bampton (previously named The Railway Hotel) remains popular with visitors of all kinds, offering a short daytime menu that utilises the abundance of local, seasonal produce available in the area.

Owners Nigel and Caroline Lamacraft tell us: “We’re always busy in our kitchen, making our own bread, cakes, puddings, chutneys, preserves and cordials. Sunday lunch is especially popular – we service a traditional roast with either local Longhorn beef, Saddleback pork, slow-roasted local lamb shoulder or free-range Beech Ridge chicken, with traditional accompaniments and fresh seasonal vegetables.”

Last year, the pair completed an extensive refurbishment of Bridge House’s en-suite accommodation, meaning guests can enjoy the best of the menu, before retreating to a room that retains the character of the building’s 250 year history, while incorporating modern comforts!

Bridge House
24 Luke Street, Bampton EX16 9NF
01398 332138
www.bridgehouse-bampton.co.uk

Introducing the North Devon Food Trail app!

To ensure you enjoy the best experience when it comes to sampling north Devon’s finest food, download the new North Devon Food Trail app – it’s designed to do just that!

According to the creators, there are lots of incredible edibles to be enjoyed in north Devon. “By asking locals to tell us about the unmissable places to eat and drink in north Devon, we’ve created a sure-fire way to guarantee you taste the best that the area has to offer. From fresh oysters on the beach in Instow, to afternoon tea in the bluebell gardens at Hartland, there are some real joys to get stuck into.”

Explore the region’s best events, find local producers, discover foodie trails and store your favourite foodie finds, all in one easy-to-use app!

To download the app simply head to the App Store or Google Play Store.

North Devon Food Trail
www.northdevonfoodtrail.co.uk
info@ndft.co.uk

New distillery coming to Dartington Hall Estate!

British retailer and social enterprise, The Shops at Dartington, recently announced the launch of a brand-new permanent distillery within its
Food Hall.

In partnership with Devon Distillery, the new copper still will produce signature bottles of Elmhirst Gin for The Shops at Dartington, as well as being capable of producing other contract gins and spirits. It will also play host to a boutique gin experience, enabling small classes to learn the process of gin making as they smell, taste and witness it from start to finish.

The founder of Devon Distillery, Cosmo Caddy, is a direct descendent of Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst, who pioneered the Dartington Hall Project, making this collaboration between The Shops at Dartington and Devon Distillery all the more meaningful.

The Shops at Dartington
Shinner’s Bridge, Dartington TQ9 6TW
01803 847500
www.shopsatdartington.co.uk

A new head chef means a new spring menu at The Old Rectory Hotel

Located close to the stunning and unspoilt Exmoor coast, The Old Rectory has won a number of awards including Small Hotel of the Year from Visit England, as well as Best Value Wine List in the Conde Naste Taittinger Champagne awards. Recently, this fantastic hotel welcomed new Head Chef, Thomas Frost. Having worked in several prestigious London restaurants, Tom has now returned to his native north Devon to raise his family.

Since starting at The Old Rectory, Tom has developed a new spring menu using fantastic local produce including Exmoor lamb and venison, Devon Red Ruby beef and fresh fish from local day boats caught in the Lundy Conservation Fishing Ground off the north coast. So if you’re looking for a place to rest your feet and refuel from a delicious, locally inspired menu, why not pencil in a trip to The Old Rectory Hotel?

The Old Rectory Hotel
01598 763368
info@oldrectoryhotel.co.uk
www.oldrectoryhotel.co.uk

The Swan soars into the UK’s top 28 gastropubs!

Among its many awards, The Swan, Bampton already has two AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence and in both 2017 and this year, it was named as an Estrella Damn top 50 Gastropub!

Husband and wife team Paul and Donna Berry have been working in hospitality for more than 11 years in Devon, both being talented, award-winning and industry-acclaimed chefs, and they’ve gained a reputation for creating some of the region’s tastiest dishes while serving up the warmest of welcomes.

On once again being named a top 50 gastropub, Donna tells us: “We polled 28 this year and received a special award as the highest climber in the list, as in 2017 we were positioned just inside the top 50.”

So, if you fancy sampling what one of the UK’s top 50 gastropubs has to offer, be sure to book yourself a table at The Swan!

The Swan
Station Road, Bampton, Tiverton EX16 9NG
01398 332248
www.theswan.co

Dartington Hall’s May Food Fair returns for its eighth year!

Dartington Hall will once again be hosting its annual food festival this year, as the May Food Fair returns on Sunday 27th and Monday 28th May for its eighth year!

Hosted by The Shops at Dartington – a group of 15 shops and cafés owned by the Dartington Hall Trust – this two-day event attracts thousands of food lovers every year as they flock to find the region’s finest food and drink, learn new cookery skills and watch demonstrations by top local chefs.

The free event offers exceptional food and drink produced in the south west, alongside demonstrations, workshops, local chefs, food producers, regional drinks, street food and live music to help visitors swing into the summer season. Even if the weather takes a turn, visitors are protected from the elements as they peruse more than 50 food and drink stalls beneath a marquee.

Barbara King, Managing Director of The Shops at Dartington tells us: “Families come from all over the south west and beyond to soak up the lively festival atmosphere of our May Food Fair. There are activities, competitions and entertainment for all ages, it’s such a fun day out! We see it as a great opportunity to promote the vibrant food and drink scene here in Devon.”

The Shops at Dartington
www.dartington.org/visit/shops/events/food-fair

Johns gets a makeover

Johns of Appledore is a destination for fantastic local produce, celebrating the finest food and drink from Devon and the wider south west. Johns has two sites on Appledore’s waterfront: a newsagents for your daily needs, and a fabulous deli-café just a few doors down. Both have recently undergone a revamp – still stocking the fantastic range of goodies, including delicious cakes and bakes, whilst giving the décor a chic new lease of life. Whether eating in, in the café, or preparing a picnic for your day’s adventures, you can be sure of some of Devon’s tastiest food. If you can’t get enough, then just across the water you’ll also find sister deli, Johns of Instow – at the right state of tide, you could even take the ferry across the water and arrive in style!

Johns of Appledore
www.johnsofappledore.co.uk
www.johnsofinstow.co.uk