Exmoor Food Fest

Menu revealed for Tim Zekki’s Tasting Dinner at Croydon Hall

Celebrated Somerset chef Tim Zekki is coming to Croydon Hall with an exquisite 5-COURSE TASTING MENU with matching wine flight that will set your taste buds alight.

Tim first started to cook at his father’s restaurant in Cyprus, where he inherited a love of foraging, pickling, and preserving from his grandmother.

He developed his skills in restaurants in London, and his love of fine ingredients led him to open and run two delis, in Isleworth and Twickenham, appearing on Gary Rhode’s Local Food Hero TV series. After a move to the Chilterns, he ran pop up restaurants under the name Duende.

Moving to Somerset meant a chance to settle into a permanent place, where Duende was recognised by Taste of The West, and won Somerset Life’s Best Restaurant in its first year.

Surrounded by beautiful Somerset countryside, the views from Croydon Hall are spectacular, the setting tranquil, the pace relaxed. The perfect setting in which to enjoy Tim’s delicious menu with matching wine flight.

Stay over and make a night of it. Each of the 15 bedrooms has been individually designed and appointed and with a combination of double rooms, family rooms and apartments, there’s accommodation to suit everyone.

30% discount on accommodation for the night of Tim’s tasting event on 8th March. You’ll be sent a code to claim your discount after making your booking.

Whitelake goat’s curd, butternut squash purée, compressed pears, cured beetroot, toasted pumpkin seeds

Minus 8 glazed mackerel, tartine of toasted almond & parmesan

Guinea fowl, corn purée & wild garlic Jerez sauce

Creedy Carver duck breast, spiced dhal, potato terrine, blackcurrant sauce

Pot au creme, lava salt, maple syrup

Welcome drinks courtesy of Exmoor Distillery
5 course tasting menu: £75.00 pp
Optional Wine Flight: £35.00 pp

Welcome drink 18 30
Dinner from 19 00

Book now

Loyton Lodge joins ExFF23 for one special night

Loyton Lodge & Safari Tent are set in the heart of Loyton Farm, expanding over 280 acres in the heart of North Devon. Originally a dairy farm, the land is now used throughout the year for various sports and farming.

The Safari tent (or as its well known as ‘the party tent’) is a purpose-built venue for supper clubs, dinner parties, weddings, and events.

Here at Loyton we like to make use of our surroundings and are often found foraging for wild berries and pines for our expansive cocktail list or searching for wildflowers to use in our displays.

Sitting on the edge of our golf green, the tent has expansive views, lots of walks and even a river to splash in – the perfect setting for summer weddings and winter feastings.

Alongside the safari tent, Loyton Lodge caters for up to 20 people over 10 bedrooms with a large dining room, bar, sitting room and billiard room; so, plenty of options to choose from!

Head chef Barrie Tucker started his career at the Castle Hotel, Taunton under the guidance of Phil Vickery, and a career highlight at the triple Michelin starred Chez Nico with the legendary Nico Ladenis and more recently Luttrell Arms in Dunster.

Now very much based in West Somerset and Exmoor, Barrie champions locally sourced ingredients and beautifully presented food from his menus.

He now runs the kitchens at Loyton Lodge & tent, using the best local produce available alongside his foraging finds.

With a wealth of experience, knowledge and local influences, Barrie has been creating bespoke menus for our guests, running cookery workshops, and managing the team here at Loyton for the last year.

The team are looking forward to the spring and summer seasons and what produce and inspiration that will bring.

Prices for accommodation start at £180 per room/ per night

Closing down dinner of the 2023 Exmoor Food Fest:
Thursday 16^th March

7pm arrival for arrival drinks and canapes
7.30pm sit down for dinner

4 Course Dinner with Matching Wines £85pp

Canapes
Starter
Fish Course
Main Course
Palate Cleanser
Dessert

Tickets to be purchased via Loyton- pre-payment only.
Chefs and menu to be announced soon.

Tables will be allocated in groups of 6 or more- prepare to mingle!

Extra drinks can be purchased on the night

Please let us know of any dietary requirements when booking .

The dinner is sponsored by Wicked Wolf Gin and Goosemoor.

Loyton Lodge, Morebath, Tiverton, EX16 9AS

Phone: 01398 331051

Website: loyton.com
Email: faye@loyton.com

Instagram
@loytonlodge
@loytonsporting

Facebook
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Loytonsporting

Steak Sunday at Duende

Fancy a relaxed Sunday chill out where you can explore three different cuts of steak, with zesty salas, deep umami flavours and the fluffiest, crispiest chips you’ll ever meet? Then quickly book your table at Tim Zekki’s restaurant Duende in Wiveliscombe.

EXFF 3 course set menu £45

Chalk stream trout cured in Sheppeys’ cider, homemade tartare sauce, charcoal bread.
Steak board, with three 35 days aged Aberdeen Angus / Red Ruby cross steak cuts: Ribeye, piccante and bavette.
With Boulangère potato chips, sauces and vegetables, foraged sea truffle
Blood orange savarin, white chocolate mousse & black olive

Spaces are limited to 20 so we’re offering two seating times: lunchtime booking slots from 12pm or afternoon from 5pm. Let us know your preferred time when you email to book.
Sunday 26th February
Sunday 5th March
Veggies aren’t left out – non meat eating alternatives available by prior arrangement. Please tell us about any allergies etc when you book. Bookings@duenderestaurant.co.uk

Extra ExFF dates at La Petite Bouchée

Following a sell-out month we’re extending our Exmoor Food Fest menu to March 3rd & 4th.
Packed full of Bistro classics this menu has gone down a storm and we’ve been at full capacity all month. This also means we’ve had to let a lot of people down – another reason for this decision… so if you fancy a kilo of Moules followed by Creme Brulée, it’s yours for just £20.00.
Anita-Clare Field, Chef/Patron La Petite Bouchée

Book now

Dine out at Tarr Farm Inn on Exmoor

Tarr Farm is a 16^th Century inn in the heart of Exmoor next to Tarr Steps.

We use only the finest local ingredients which are put together by our expert team with fantastic bar food and delicious a la carte meals in our restaurant.

In 2017 we were named as one of the Top 50 Gastropubs in the UK, and we were a finalist in the Somerset Life Food & Drink Awards 2017 as well as a finalist in the Muddy Stilettos ‘Best Destination Pub’ in Somerset 2018.

In 2022/3 we have been chosen to provide the VIP catering for both Badminton Retreat and the VIP area at the Glastonbury Festival.

We have regular themed food evenings such as our highly popular Seafood Evening, Curry Evenings and Steak Nights. Keep an eye on our ‘Events’ page for more details.

We’re also well known in the area for our fantastic Sunday Roasts. Delicious local meat with mouthwatering crispy roast potatoes, fresh vegetables and all the trimmings – booking is essential!

Exmoor Food Fest offer:
2 courses: £24.00
3 courses: £29.00
Monday to Thursday, lunch only

Tarr Farm, Tarr Steps, Nr. Dulverton, Exmoor, TA22 9PY SAT NAV USE TA22 9QA

Website www.tarrfarm.co.uk
Phone number 01643 851507
Email address enquiries@tarrfarm.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarrfarm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarrfarminn/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tarrfarminn

Trip Advisor: https://bit.ly/3H6UqGN

The 800-year history of Croydon Hall near Minehead in a nutshell

Croydon Hall near Minehead is taking part in the Exmoor Food Fest for the very first time this year. The venue was purchased and extensively renovated and refurbished by Jeremy Millins in 2020 during Lockdown. The plan for the hotel is simple: to share the glorious setting, to welcome diners to the restaurant, families and friends to stay in the individually designed and appointed bedrooms and apartments, to host and help create bespoke events and memories for birthdays and celebrations, and to hire out the five-acre estate for exclusive weddings, helping to make dreams come true.

History enthusiasts will be interested in Croydon Hall’s wonderfully colourful and eclectic past – just what you’d expect from a building that’s been standing for over 800 years.

The earliest written record of Croydon Hall dates back to 1221, pre-Norman Conquest times, where it was reported to have been a farmstead for the Cistercian monks at Cleeve Abbey. In the 1500s, Croydon Hall became a family home for Landed Gentry.

A plaque on the front of the building from the 18th Century suggests that Croydon Hall was used as a Magistrate’s Court. It was during this time that the area become known as Felon’s Oak, named after the tree used for hanging felons.

The house was significantly rebuilt in the 1800s and again in 1907, when it was bought by Count Konrad von Hochberg, a German aristocrat who made many improvements to the property including adding the Italian Garden.

This elegant period of Croydon Hall ended abruptly with the outbreak of the First World War when the Count fled back to Germany.

Since then, Croydon Hall has had many uses, from a home for evacuees, a school for troubled teens to a Buddhist retreat. It fell into a state of disrepair when the last business fell on hard times, so it was ripe and ready for new owner, Jeremy Millins, to take it back to its former glory.

From Saturday 11 February to Saturday 18 February, Somerset born chef Andrew Pavey will be offering a special Exmoor Food Fest meal at lunch and dinner. This is a one-off opportunity which should not be missed!

Here are the details:

2 courses for £21 / 3 courses for £27
Sat 11^th lunch and dinner
Tues 14^th – Sat 18^th lunch and dinner

Starter

Beetroot Bavarois
served with beet Bloody Mary & candied walnuts (Ve)
~
Pheasant Bon Bons
served with celeriac puree & roasted vegetables
~
Mackerel Fillet
served with black pudding, confit tomatoes & horseradish cream

Main

Stuffed Kale Leaves
stuffed with roasted parsnip & pine nuts, served with a country style broth (Ve)
~
Roast Venison Fillet
served with braised red cabbage, crushed roast potato & a red wine jus
~
Curried Monk Fish
served with a seafood & winter vegetable cassoulet

Dessert

Vanilla & Rose Infused Berries
served with candied nuts (Ve)
~
Rum Baba
served with crème fraiche & citrus fruits
~
Dark Chocolate Mousse
served with a praline crisp

For restaurant and room bookings please visit www.croydonhall.co.uk or call 01984 642200
After booking your table you’ll be sent a code for 30% discount off hotel accommodation.

Croydon Hall, Rodhuish, Somerset, TA24 6QT
info@croydonhall.co.uk

The Red Lion Hotel in Oakford is open for bookings

A beautifully appointed friendly local pub and restaurant with stunningly designed bedrooms.

Situated on the edge of Exmoor, The Red Lion has undergone an expensive renovation but still maintains the atmosphere of a local Devon pub.

Our chef is here to look after you with a superb varied menu catering for all tastes and requirements. If you stay a while in one of our sumptuous bedrooms, you will be in an ideal location to explore the wonderful moorland of Exmoor and beyond.

Exmoor Food Fest offer:
Two courses: £20.00
Three courses: £25.50
Thursday to Monday evenings 6-8.30 pm (not Sunday nights)

Red Lion Hotel,
Oakford, Tiverton, Devon. EX16 9ES
Tel 01398351569

www.redlionoakford.co.uk

@redlionoakford @theredlionoakford(IG facebook)

Discover Croydon Hall

Whilst many of us were working from home during the pandemic, serial entrepreneur Jeremy Millins from the Pure Group saw Croydon Hall for sale online in April 2020 and snapped it up. Despite unprecedented and challenging conditions of renovating a country house hotel and estate during lockdown, Jeremy, his partner and 85-year-old mum, Pam, moved in and, with the help of a team of local tradespeople, worked hard to renovate and refurbish the building and grounds.

The plan for the hotel is simple: to share the glorious setting, to welcome diners to the restaurant, families and friends to stay in the individually designed and appointed bedrooms and apartments, to host and help create bespoke events and memories for birthdays and celebrations, and to hire out the five-acre estate for exclusive weddings, helping to make dreams come true.

Pop down for a coffee or a glass of wine, book a room in the hotel or, if Glamping is more your style, hire one of the bell tents in the grounds just 200m from the main hotel, and sleep under the perfectly dark skies enjoyed by the hotel, located in Exmoor National Park.

The team of owner Jeremy, General Manager Mark Harper and Sales and Marketing Manager Nicky Dee are all new to Somerset but are seasoned event pros, having produced hundreds of events and weddings over the last 20 years.

Somerset born chef Andrew Pavey will be cooking up a storm at Croydon Hall with a specially designed menu throughout the February half term.

Whilst passionate about patisserie, he enjoys every section of the kitchen, citing that cooking is a ‘way of life’ for him, as he revels in the art of creating spectacular dishes.

With 25 years of experience working in hotels and restaurants across the region, Andrew feels honoured to have worked for Michael Caine MBE at the Royal Clarence in Exeter, perhaps one of his favourite positions to date.

Book now

Saturday 11^th & Tuesday 14th – Saturday 18^th February
lunch 12 30 – 14 00, and dinner 18 30 – 20 30

The Hartnoll Hotel is open for bookings

The award-winning Hartnoll Hotel is nestled on the edge of Exmoor National Park in the delightful Exe Valley in Devon. With stunning decor, sumptuous fabrics, plenty of space to relax, eat and drink and exemplary customer service, it is the perfect place to relax with friends and family or meet with colleagues.

The Hotel is set in beautiful landscaped gardens surrounded by glorious Devon countryside, only minutes from Junction 27 of the M5 – perfectly located for exploring the West Country, Somerset, Devon and Exmoor.

The Hartnoll Hotel’s owner, Claire Carter, has painstakingly restored and refurbished this beautiful country house hotel, transforming it into a luxury, boutique-style hotel offering both elegance and comfort. The attention to detail has been key to the successful transformation from the stunning décor with sumptuous fabrics to a wonderful open log fire.

Exmoor Food Fest deal:
Lunch menu £20 per head.
Evening menu £25 per head.

Hartnoll Hotel
Bolham, Tiverton EX16 7RA

Bookings can be made by calling 01884 252777 or email frontdesk@hartnollhotel.co.uk

Website – www.hartnollhotel.co.uk

Booking direct only and mention Exmoor Food Fest. Rooms subject to availability.

The Exmoor White Horse Inn is open for bookings

The award-winning Exmoor White Horse Inn sits at the very heart of Exmoor National Park in the delightful village of Exford. Its 16^th century origins are reflected in its chic country interiors.

Relax before dinner in oak beamed bars in front of a wonderful log fire. A warm welcome, creative menus & one of the most extensive whisky collections in the south west of England with over 250 malt whisky for your pleasure.

The best locally produced Exmoor Ales, Local craft gins & a comprehensive selection of wines.

Our creative team of chefs produce seasonal menus showcasing the best Exmoor Produce with a contemporary twist.

‘Truly the heart of Exmoor’ Open all year round for Lunch, Dinner and Afternoon Tea

Exmoor Food Fest offer:
2 courses: £22.95
3 courses: £27.95
Mon to Sat, 12.00 – 2.30pm and 6.30 – 8.45pm