Here is a collection of food photos by Zac Bimson taken at last Friday’s Tasting Dinner at The Beach Hotel. There will be more to follow…
Food Impressions
Vote in the “Taste Exmoor Awards”
ITV News Clip of our 2018 launch at the Pyne Arms
The 2018 Exmoor Food Fest was launched on 30 January 2018 at the Pyne Arms in East Downs. Olivier Certain (Clavelshay Barn), James Mason (Kentisbury Grange), Ed Heard (Woods) and Barrie Tucker (Luttrell Arms) joined Ellis Pannell in the kitchen for a delicious dinner.
ITV reporter Bob Cruwys joined us for the evening – what you can see is the clip he produced for ITV News (shown on the 6pm News on ITV West and ITV West Country).
We have still room for traders!
For our Porlock Food & Drink Festival on 24 & 25 February at the Porlock Village Hall we are still looking for traders.
Do you make fudge? Chocolate? Or anything else which would appeal to foodies?
Then please get in touch. Send an email to bookings@exmoorevents.com or download the application form here.
The Jubilee Inn in West Anstey is open for ExFF bookings
Built in 1936, and once frequented by the legendary film star Terry Thomas whose family lived here in the 1960s and 70s, The Jubilee Inn has recently undergone a complete renovation and extension development to create an exclusive, comfortable and luxuriously appointed boutique Country House Hotel, sporting a thriving locals bar on the Devon/Somerset Borders and enjoying access to Exmoor and all the activities such location offers, yet still being within easy reach of the Exmoor coastline. We pride ourselves on exacting standards for both food and with our 6 individually appointed guest accommodations. We invite you to take advantage of our introductory guest rates for 2016 and be some of the first to enjoy our exclusive holiday options. Exclusive use of the residence can also be arranged for those seeking both discretion and privacy.
Location
With a desirably rural central South West destination, 20 minutes from Junction 27 (M5), only 35 minutes from both Taunton and Exeter, the Jubilee Inn is a hidden gem for those who expect a little more from their explorations of the South West. With a fast train in under 2 hours from London Paddington, we can arrange your station transfers, or even airport transfers from Exeter or Bristol to ensure your stay with us is relaxing and care free. Should you be visiting from further afield, transfers to and from major London Airports are also available through our dedicated team and the Paddington Fast Train reaches Tiverton in under 2 hours.
County Pursuits:
For the guest who enjoys country pursuits there is a wealth of activities to enjoy on Exmoor which we can assist in arranging on your behalf. Fishing, Foraging, Hunting, Hawking, Riding, Painting, Writing, Shooting, Star-gazing and walking are all traditional pursuits which can be enjoyed according to the season. We are situated directly on the 2-Moors walk from Dartmoor to Exmoor and surrounded by some of the most outstanding scenery in the UK. Even our night skies have become renowned worldwide, Exmoor recently being acknowledged as the first European International Dark-Sky Reserve boasting an incredible panorama of stars for those who wish to look to the heavens for inspiration. If you desire the tranquility of Exmoor, be assured the breath-taking scenery has been a wealth of inspiration for artists and writers alike with Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, Arthur Conan Doyle, RD Blackmore, Alfred Munnings and Samuel Taylor Coleridge all finding inspiration here in Devon and on Exmoor.
Business Services and Guest Support:
If you simply need a few days to unwind ‘get away from things’ but seek home comforts and the reassurance of knowing your business won’t suffer, we have full WiFi access throughout the residence to keep you in touch and offer business services support. From dictation to documentation, legal services to letter writing, chauffeuring to shoe cleaning, if we can assist you, we will endeavor to do so to make your stay as comfortable as possible. We also have a private library of books, CD’s and DVD’s available for your use, all rooms having TV/DVD players. We aim to exceed your expectations.
Dining
For those discerning diners we provide exciting and wholesome menus sourced from both local and exclusive producers which can be enjoyed in our Chesterfield Bar (where a family friendly Bar Menu is available) or in the Fine Dining Restaurant where our Head Chef delights guests with both his classic dishes and the drama of his gastronomically creative fare. Seasonal menus adapt to obtain the best of what’s local for your complete satisfaction. If you have dietary restrictions, our Head Chef can provide you with safe and sublime dining options for all sittings. We also offer bespoke menus designed to assist those seeking to recuperate from illness (working with your nutritionists if you require), one of the Owners herself managing cancer and understanding first-hand the challenges faced and the need to make considered choices for food which both supports and enhances personal wellbeing. If you wish to travel for alternative dining experiences, we can offer preferential rates at carefully selected partner venues across Exmoor to the coast. For those simply wishing to travel out for the day, Champagne Picnics or Family Baskets can be prepared to order for your convenience.
Events
We offer bespoke events and catering for the smaller more select guest list up to Marquee catering of 250 people, dining both inside and al fresco on our south facing terrace, enjoying the views from an elevated position 800 feet above sea level. Full events planning with entertainment and catering is offered, accompanied with those special touches that truly make an occasion, from the simple to the extravagant. Ask for our Events Manager with your enquiry to see how we can assist you.
Family Holidays
Should you wish to join us for a family break we can put you in contact with local Nannies and Activity Organisers, enabling you to directly seek assistance with any childcare needs during your stay. Children’s activities can be arranged to assist in your holiday planning. To save carrying an array of children’s paraphernalia on your trip, we have available prams, cots, bassinettes, sterilisers, change mats, toys, and a children’s library for your convenience. We prepare fresh baby food to order and bottle warmers and baby monitors/cameras can be provided to your rooms.
Horse Hotel
If you wish to travel with your horses, are going to a show or simply wishing to try something different (perhaps taking them onto Exmoor for some outstanding trail riding) we have stabling facilities for your convenience and grooms available for their comfort.
Our Ethos
We aim to provide you with an exclusive service, tailored to your individual needs so that whether you visit once a year or ten times a year, you can feel secure in the knowledge that our team will always endeavor to exceed your expectations.
Location:
On the B3227, between the Black Cat and Woodside Garage, just off the A361 Knowstone Exit
Exmoor Food Fest offer:
2 courses for £12.50 and 3 for £17.50 available Tuesday – Thursday Evenings 6.00-8.30pm (excluding Valentines night on 14 Feb).
And the same on Saturday Lunchtime 12 noon to 2.00pm.
Please book in advance.
The Jubilee Inn
West Anstey
South Molton
DEVON
EX36 3PH
Tel: 01398 341401
Fax: 01398 341524
Email: info@thejubileeinn.co.uk
Website: thejubileeinn.co.uk
Twitter: @Jubilee _Inn
Facebook: /JubileeDining
The Exmoor Forest Inn in Simonsbath has joined the ExFF18!
Exmoor Forest Inn is situated in the heart of the Exmoor National Park in Simonsbath, at the start of the Two Moors Way. Our atmospheric Victorian hotel and pub has been providing shelter and food to travellers for many years and we pride ourselves on traditionally high standards of service and food. We strive to use only local suppliers and local produce.
We offer food and drinks throughout the day starting with morning teas, coffees and cakes. Our main menu and specials are available from midday on Tuesdays to Sunday.
Our Menu for the Exmoor Food Fest will be available Tuesday to Friday from noon until 2.30pm. There is a 2 course menu for £15 and three courses for £17.50. Our menus wi-l available on our website.
Our cosy bar area offers cask ales from local breweries as well as local ciders. We have just introduced a gin menu with Fever-Tree tonics.
The restaurant has plenty of capacity and we welcome dogs and children.
Our hotel can accommodate up to 24 people in ensuite rooms or in our self-catering cottage. Many of our rooms take dogs.
Exmoor Food Fest offer:
2 and 3 course menu at £15.00/£17.50
The Exmoor Forest Inn
Simonsbath
Minehead TA24 7SH
Tel: 01643 831341
Email: info@exmoorforestinn.co.uk
Website: www.exmoorforestinn.co.uk
Twitter is @exmoor forest
Facebook is www.facebook.com/exmoorforest
The River Parrett Restaurant is open for bookings!
We opened in November, 2017 and our owner, Mariusz Muskietorz, who has a background and great deal of experience in the food industry, and already owns the Maja Delicatessen in Bridgwater and, also, in Exeter, has invested significantly in giving the property a much-needed refurbishment and has recruited local people too.
We have a modern British brasserie feel, offering informal, high-end food with the focus on providing a quality customer experience.
We offer a seasonal menu using fresh, British produce. We provide a choice of lunchtime and evening dishes. All our food is freshly prepared on the premises and our ingredients are sourced locally.
Father-of-two John Kay from Cullompton is our Head Chef. He is highly talented with many years’ experience in the industry under his belt. Prior to his role at The River Parrett Restaurant, John was the Head Chef at Southernhay House Hotel in Exeter for two years. He has also worked at two Michelin starred restaurants, The Elephant Restaurant & Brasserie in Torquay and The Pony & Trap in Chew Magna. He was also a Sous Chef at The Star Inn in Sparsholt.
Michal Snela is our super skilled Executive Chef. Michal started his career as an apprentice at The Artichoke in Old Amersham before moving to London where he rose through the ranks at Chez Bruce to become Sous Chef. He went on to be Sous Chef at Arbutus and Wild Honey in Central London before joining Charlotte’s Bistro.
2 courses for £15/ 3 course for £20
The Exmoor Food Fest deal is available:
Lunch & Dinner: Tuesdays, Wednesday & Thursdays
(Excluding Valentine’s Day)
The River Parrett Restaurant,
11, Salmon Parade,
Bridgwater,
TA6 5AN.
Tel: 01278 451807
Email: reservations@theriverparrett.co.uk
Website: www.theriverparrett.co.uk
Periwinkle Tearooms: Enjoy a special Exmoor Food Fest treat!
Periwinkle Cottage is a picture postcard cottage situated on Selworthy Green. Set on a hillside on the edge of the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate, the views from Selworthy offer a breathtaking panorama of the adjacent villages, fields and Exmoor towards Dunkery Beacon.
Periwinkle Cottage sits at the heart of the green and has its origins in the 17th Century. Having been Tea Rooms & Garden for many years it now has a new lease of life with its new owners. Now in their second year having been Finalists in the Somerset Food & Drink Awards – Best Tea Room category in their first year.
The Tea Rooms have been completely refurbished and redecorated. All the elements of a quintessential Tea Room still exist, but with a fresh and contemporary feel.
The owners live in the pretty cottage and bake every day to provide the wide range of cakes available seven days a week, in addition to the light lunches and Cream Teas.
An ideal stopping point for walkers, cyclists and riders. Muddy boots and muddy dogs always welcome in the Tea Rooms and Garden.
Who could leave Selworthy Green without a traditional Cream Tea? The only question is Cream on Jam, or Jam on Cream?
Exmoor Food Fest Offer:
Exmoor Venison and Whortleberry warm Baguette served with a salad garnish. £5.50
Trio of Scones: Plain, Fruit and Cheese & Bacon with Whortleberry and Strawberry Jam, Butter, Cider Chutney and Clotted Cream, Pot of Miles West Country Tea for two. £10.00
Selworthy Apple Cake and Miles West Country Tea for one. £4.00
Selworthy Green
Selworthy
Somerset TA24 8TP
Tel: 01823 740008
The Old Ship Aground: Open for bookings!
Here at The Old Ship Aground food is very much a part of what we do. We LOVE TO COOK and is very much ‘River Cottage’ in style – if we cannot raise it or grow it, you can be sure it’s locally sourced, from home raised Mutton to oven fired hams you can be assured it’s the very best of quality..
With our small farm on the hills of Exmoor we have a real connection with traditional farming and understand the true importance of good produce to make good food.
We run with a Bar Classic’s menu which has everything you would expect to find as well as a varied and interesting restaurant menu Our daily specials black boards also give us a chance to show off a little. Seafood always has a big presence after all we are by the sea. Be assured its seasonal, Fresh and Local
With the addition of our very own smoker we cure and smoke such things as bacon, fish and meats, which is always a great way to enhance our offering.
You can enjoy good food and atmosphere in our relaxed Pub area, in the Courtyard Restaurant or you may decide to dine alfresco and enjoy the wonderful views.
The Old Ship Aground, built in 1911 and formally known as The Pier Hotel, (they took the pier down in the war so thought it prudent to change the name) is an historic listed Edwardian pub located on the old harbour area in Minehead. With some of the best views in Minehead across the harbour to the Quantocks and Wales, the location is idyllic.
We fell in love with her and bought back in May 2013. Since then we sorted the old girl out and refitted almost everything from top to bottom. Now with 12 new bedrooms offering a variety of single, double, twin and super king sizes there is a room for everyone, with all the little extras you’d expect – flat screen tv’s, tea, coffee & biscuits, bathroom sets and free wifi etc.
We offer great old fashioned hospitality, and doing a good job of it, is very important to us. You don’t have to just take our word for it, please check out our reviews, both on Google and Trip Adviser.
Hope to see you soon.
Julian and crew
Exmoor Food Fest offer:
Two courses for £12.50 for Lunch
Mon to Friday only throughout February.
Menu will change weekly.
Website: theoldshipaground.com
Facebook: /The-Old-Ship-Aground-Minehead-Harbour
Telephone: 01643 703516
Address:
Quay Street
TA24 5UL Minehead
Thomas Carr’s new restaurant, Seafood & Grill, is open for bookings!
Thomas Carr Seafood & Grill is a brand new restaurant, opening February 14th 2018. After huge success with ‘The Olive Room’ – Thomas Carr wants to bring great food to the masses with this new, larger venue.
Thomas has brought in head chef Chris Essex (The Coach House, Watersmeet Hotel) to head up a kitchen team providing a 3 course a la carte menu.
The restaurant keeps Thomas’ seafood influences at heart, but will also offer plenty for the meat eaters and vegetarians.
A successful crowdfunding campaign was instrumental in the launch of the new venue.
Exmoor Food Fest offer:
Two courses for £15 or three courses for £20 lunchtimes
Thursday – Sunday
12pm – 2:30pm from 9th Feb
About Thomas:
Thomas Carr prides himself on producing food of a consistently high standard, establishing a passionate, dynamic and creative dining/kitchen environment. Always experimenting with ingredients, flavours and techniques to push the boundaries of food and exceed the expectations of each customer.
Thomas has always been driven by a fundamental love of cooking and food, always seeking to learn and grow as a chef.
His journey started when he was employed as head chef in 2002 at the Beachcomber Café in Woolacombe, Devon – his hometown. From here Thomas moved to the Watersmeet Hotel, again in Woolacombe, where he was Chef De Partie for 5 years between 2004 and 2009.
In March 2009 Thomas went to work under renowned chef Nathan Outlaw at his Seafood and Grill Restaurant @ The St Enodoc Hotel in Cornwall. Originally taken on by Nathan Outlaw as a Sous chef, Thomas’ potential was quickly noticed and in February 2010 he was appointed as Head Chef at the brand new ‘Restaurant Nathan Outlaw’. Under Thomas the restaurant received two Michelin stars within a year of opening, along with numerous other accolades and awards within the hospitality industry. As well as the day to day running of the restaurant, Thomas also participated in outside events linked to the restaurant and Nathan Outlaw; including a ‘pop up’ restaurant in London and several food festivals/events.
In 2013 Thomas returned to North Devon to take up a role as executive chef at The Coach House, Kentisbury Grange, allowing him another opportunity to work with a renowned chef in Michael Caines MBE. Thomas built a full team from scratch and achieved 2 AA Rosettes within 6 months of opening as well as a full entry into the 2014 Trencherman’s Guide.
In the spring of 2014 Thomas was presented with an opportunity to fulfil a lifetime dream of owning his own restaurant in the harbour town of Ilfracombe, North Devon. The mixture of a bustling, up and coming area and fresh line caught fish delivered to restaurant on an almost daily basis has made for a hugely successful start in business.
And it was at the end of September in 2016, that Thomas received a call so many chefs can only dream of. A call from the Editor of the Michelin Guide, asking him to attend the first ever live presentation of the guide on October 3rd.
Exmoor Food Fest 