October is what foodies have been waiting for! Throughout the month, over 240 food and drink events are taking place from Bristol to the tip of Cornwall, making it the biggest food festival of its kind in the UK.
There's something for everyone, from festivals such the Falmouth Oyster Festival and the North Devon Foodfest to fine dining events in individual restaurants, to fun foodie fun for kids.
There's also an Eat out for £10 dining promotion taking place across the month, so that credit-crunch hit consumers can eat at some of the best restaurants at a tasty discount.
The Celebration is taking place for the first time this year in Somerset, Bath and Bristol and has been running for seven years in Devon and four in Cornwall. So wherever you live there are some great opportunities for a foodie mini-break.
The Celebration is run by food magazine and the September-October issues of food will feature all of the events taking place in this year's Celebration. Pick the free magazines up at the best restaurants, cafes, delis and foodie hotels across the South West. Also keep an eye on the following publications for more information and competitions and special offers in October: olive magazine, the North Devon Journal, the Western Gazette, the West Briton, The Cornishman, the Cornish Guardian, Cornwall Today, and listen to Bristol's Star FM.
For more information on the festival please call organisers Salt Media on 01271 859299.
HOOK, LINE & SINKER We're celebrating the Cornish coast this winter at Fifteen Cornwall with a special seafood lunch.
This will consist of three delicious courses, with an emphasis on f more >
MARKET MENU Stroll out for an alfresco meal on the terrace over looking the beautiful Temple Gardens or step inside the welcoming, softly styled 2AA Rosette re more >
Meet the Producers at Mole Valley Farmers
Sat, 24 Oct 09 - 24 Oct 09
Come and meet Cornish food and drink producers supplying our newly refurbised St Columb Branch of Mole Valley Farmers. There will be tastings for all the family to enjoy and you can meet the people behind the produce before buying. Finish off your visit by browsing the branch that's packed full of goodies ranging from wood burners to pet care products and equine clothing to all the best cornish food and drink you could want!
St Columb Ind. Est St Columb Major Cornwall TR9 6SF
Tel. 01637 881115
The fabulous chef of St Johns in London, Fergus Henderson, returns to the Seahorse for another fun evening of food inspiration.
A special menu, a chat from Fergus and Mitch, a good atmosphere and great food. Don't miss the chance to meet this renowned chef in Dartmouth. But hurry only a few places left to book.
Seahorse Restaurant South Embankment Dartmouth TQ6 9BH
Tel. 01803 835147
Each lunchtime during October we'll be offering a special 'taster' lunch for two for just £20 in which we'll serve a selection of different portions of our typical dishes to share.
A true 'taste and flavour' of the Old Custom House restaurant.
A special offer during October at the Devon Guild.
Our meal deal features a wide array of local cheeses and meats (Devon Blue, Devon Oke, Sharpham Brie, Gammon ham) in a traditional ploughmans platter of chutneys, pickles, crusty bread and salad. Finish with a hearty slice of homemade apple pie and clotted cream.
The Terrace Cafe The Riverside Mill Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AF
Tel. 01626 831959
Quote 'Celebration of Food' on making your reservation and enjoy a two course luncheon with a glass of wine for this very special price during October 2009.
Excludes Sundays.
Popham's Restaurant at Hunstrete House Hunstrete House Pensford Nr. Bath BS39 4NS
Tel. 01761 490490
Throughout October eat out for £10. There will be a daily special lamb dish available for £10 or under featuring the Exmoor Horn Lamb.
Throughout October there will also be a wall exhibition in the Hunters Inn Bar about the Exmoor Horn Sheep; its history and the benefits of Exmoor Horn Lamb as a meat.
The Hunters Inn Heddon Valley Parracombe North Devon EX31 4PY
Tel. 01598 763230
At the height of the season, enjoy game at its best, prepared to the highest possible standard by Head Chef Daniel Moon.
MENU Roast breast of Squad Pigeon, smoked Bacon Cassoulet, beetroot. - Chef's assiette of wild rabbit, lentils du Puy, Celeriac - Slow Roast Shoulder of local Landsdown lamb, lamb consomme, Brocoli. - Orange marmalade bread and butter pudding, vanilla ice cream.
Fine wines will be expertly matched to each course by our Sommelier and the whole experience will take place in our exquisite new Lime restaurant. After the meal why not enjoy the onset of the Autumn beside an open log fire in one of our stylish drawing rooms?
Quote 'Celebration of Food' when making your reservation.
£55.00 per person.
Lime Restaurant at Homewood Park Homewood Park Abbey Lane Hinton Charterhouse Bath BA2 7TB
Tel. 01225 723731
Celebrate the harvest by making your own tasty preserves to enjoy throughout the year. Learn a lifelong skill to help you save money, eat better and make the most of your garden or local produce.
The day is jam packed with hands on cooking, hints and tips from Lori Reich, the Taste of the West's "Best of Preserves 2009" winner. Take home a recipe pack, and samples of your own preserves to share with your family.
Refreshments, lunch and a cream tea for the all inclusive price of £47.00
9.30am - 4pm. Booking essential.
Event to be held in Bishopsteignton Community Centre.
Shute Fruit and Produce Shute Farm Bishopsteignton Teignmouth Devon TQ14 9PN
Tel. 01626 777570
A Treasure hunt for all ages around Escot's stunning gardens, woodland, maze and wetlands with delicious choccy prizes and a certficate to be proud of.
Escot Park Fairmile Ottery St Mary Devon EX11 1LU
Tel. 01404 822 188
Calling all Wild Gourmets! Saturday October 17th and Saturday October 31 (10.00 - 17.00)
The Old Quay House Hotel in Fowey have teamed up with the Wild Food School to present a very special Wild Food Foraging event for this year's Celebration of Food.
If you don't know your wood sorrel from your Cornish round leaf mint or your wild borage from your pennywort, then become a wild gourmet for the day and let Head Chef Ben Bass and Marcus Harrison show you how to discover and taste the very best of wild Cornwall.
After a mornings foraging in the nearby countryside, join Ben in his kitchen for a hands on cookery demo where he will be show you how to cook and prepare everything that has been collected that morning. Lunch (with wine included) will then be served from 2.30pm with Marcus on hand to talk a little more about each of the ingredients and to answer any questions.
Package details:
The price (to include a morning's foraging, lunch with wine and the cookery demo) is £59 per person or £112 per couple. Start time: 10am - Approx finish time: 5pm.
Special accommodation rates are available for those wishing to stay at the hotel. Please note: numbers are strictly limited to 12 people for this event. Please telephone 01726 833302 for more details.
The Old Quay House Hotel 28, Fore Street Fowey PL23 1AQ
Tel. 01726 833302
Throughout October as part of the Celebration of Food Festival, guests can enjoy a two course set lunch at The 2 Rosette awarded Olive Tree Restaurant for just £10.00 per person.
The Olive Tree Restaurant 4-7 Russel Street Bath BA1 2QF
Tel. 01225 447928
2 course scrumptious lunches and divine dinners in a spectacular setting on South Fistral Beach, or enjoy 3 courses for £14.50!
We celebrate freshly cooked and carefully thought out food every day so come and see for yourselves. Enjoy a glass of wine or one of our famous hot chocs whilst the waves crash onto Fistral just outside our windows, or brave the weather on our balcony armed with one of our fleece blankets!
Away from the crowds with free parking, we are Newquay's best kept secret!
A great day out for all the family, Rosemoor's Apple Day is organised in conjunction with Thornhayes Nursery and the South West Area Fruit Group. With fantastic apple displays, cookery demonstrations, apple recipes, apple tastings, planting and cultivation tips and children's activities and trails, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Stroll out for an alfresco meal on our terrace over looking the beautiful Temple Gardens or step inside our welcoming, softly styled 2AA Rosette restaurant and enjoy a 2 course lunch from our twice weekly changing market menu.
Enjoy lunch for £9.95 per person to include 125ml of city cafe wine per person. Monday - Saturday.
City Inn Hotel Temple Way Bristol BS1 6BF
Tel. 0117 9102700
Come and help us harvest the grapes at our vineyard near Topsham, Exeter - fun event for all the family. Picking most weekends between mid September and late October - please see www.pebblebed.co.uk nearer time for details and exact dates or email geoff@pebblebed.co.uk
Ebford Vineyard near Topsham Devon EX3 0QU
Tel. 07814 788348
Cider with Rosie is a six course nostalgic tasting dinner celebrating our local food heritage.
Enjoy chef James Duckett’s interpretation of traditional West Country dishes such as Rabbit and Shin of Beef Pie and Grilled Local Mackerel with Laver and Cider Butter.
Each dish will be served with a glass of glorious local cider from Winkleigh; a different cider with each course, selected to bring out the best of this mouth watering array of West Country fare.
James Ducket at the Old Custom House The Strand Barnstaple EX31 1EU
Tel. 01271 859318
October days in the sunshine where traditional home made menus reflect the change of seasons.
Set in 6 acres with its own small lake and island, complete with resident ducks, the Turtley Corn Mill is perfect for October days in the sunshine where our traditional home made menus reflect the change of seasons. Our ingredients are sourced locally with our meat reared on Westcountry pastures, veg supplied by our sister company the Nearly Naked Veg Company and fish caught off our shores.
It's the perfect spot to enjoy a restful lunch. Open Monday to Saturday 11am - 11pm; Sundays 12 noon - 10.30pm.
The Turtley Corn Mill Avonwick South Brent Devon TQ10 9ES
Tel. 01364 646106
Join us for an Exmoor Breakfast before taking a self guided walk to enjoy the feast of views from the highest point on Exmoor, Dunkery Beacon. Adults £6; Children £4; vegetarian option No need to book just turn up. 8am - 12 noon.
