Wednesday night, the 2022 Exmoor Food Fest was officially launched at the Pyne Arms in East Down. Chef Ellis Pannell was joined in the kitchen by Olivier Certain (Masons Arms Knowstone), Paul Berry (The Swan, Bampton) and Donna Berry (Spelt, Bampton). Liam and Matt from the Old Bank in Lynton contributed the canapés.
Only two nights earlier, the three Exmoor pubs had made it into the Top25 Gastropubs of the UK – so there was even more reason to celebrate. The Swan had moved to up to Rank 25, the Michelin-starred Masons Arms came in at Rank 22, and the host of the launch, the Pyne Arms, had made it to Rank 17.
The launch night was an all-round success. People loved the food and the wine paring, the atmosphere was great, and the chefs’ efforts were applauded and appreciated.
Here are some examples of the feedback left by happy guests on social media:
Posted @withregram • @clare.anne.co
Contagious, beautiful passion.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Last night I attended an event locally to me. It was the launch of the @exmoorfoodfest hosted by @pynearms – the food, wine, atmosphere and company were all absolutely amazing, but there was one thing that stood out to me above all those things…⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
That thing was the passion! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The passion of the chefs that took part in the event, and the way everybody in the room celebrated their passion. It was just amazing. 🥰⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Each chef came out and explained their dish with the diners, what they were making, why, and a little backstory about them, and everyone in the room paid complete attention as they spoke, then clapped with genuine admiration and appreciation at the end of each one. ⠀
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When someone is talking about their thing, their passion, their love, there is something so captivating and inspiring about it, and I couldn’t help but notice the link between that experience and the way we connect so much more with businesses whose passion and enthusiasm pours just like this. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We can spend ages overthinking and trying to cleverly craft our message and marketing, but there is no more effective way to connect with your audience than to just speak with a genuine, raw passion for what you do. It doesn’t need to be glamourous or polished, it just needs to be real. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Thank you to all the chefs last night that made the evening so memorable, and for sharing your passion with us! 🤍⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Here are some photos James Archibald took on the night:
Thank you to hosts Ellis and Amie Pannell, the chefs, the front of house staff, the suppliers and sponsors (shout-out to Wicked Wolf Gin!), and all the lovely people who came and enjoyed the night.
Exmoor Food Fest 