COOL CATERERS

We reveal what’s new in the wedding catering world

WHAT’S NEW?

Winners of the Trencherman’s Awards 2023 were recently revealed at a spectacular ceremony by the sea at the Salcombe Harbour Hotel. Broadcaster and food critic William Sitwell and Dorset’s TV chef and restaurateur Mark Hix joined Trencherman’s Guide editorial director Jo Rees to present this year’s awards –the most prestigious dining accolades in the South West that mark both the tenth year of the awards and the 30th edition of the Trencherman’s Guide.

More than 30,000 individual votes were cast in the second round of voting, with some of the closest final scores seen in the Awards’ ten-year history. Nathan Outlaw of Outlaw’s in Port Isaac, Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling in Carbis Bay, and Boringdon Hall near Plymouth was honoured among the winners.

The finale saw Nathan Outlaw win the Award for Special Contribution. Nathan said, “I’ve been in the

South West for well over 25 years and the Trencherman’s Guide has always been at the forefront of the scene. It’s one of the guides you want to get into as a chef."

In traditional Trencherman’s style, several of last year’s award winners made up the team of top chefs who crafted the ceremony’s four-course feast: Mark Dodson of The Masons Arms (starter), Michael Smith of Porthminster Beach Cafe (fish), host chef Jamie Gulliford of Salcombe Harbour Hotel (main) and Dorian Janmaat of The Idle Rocks (dessert). The quality cooking was paired with fine wines from Hallgarten and Novum, Cornish beers from Sharp’s Brewery and soft drinks from Frobishers. Canapés were served with local spirits Trevethan Cornish Gin, Atlantic Spirit No.7 Sea Buckthorn Gin, and Sea Arch Coastal Juniper.

For a full list of the Trencherman’s Awards 2023 winners and grand finalists, visit https://trenchermans-guide.com

SAY CHEESE!

These new wedding cake of cheese designs, with bespoke options also available, are from the talented team at online shop The West Country Cheese Co based in Devon, www.westcountrycheese.co.uk; https://en-gb.facebook.com/westcountrycheese; www.instagram.com/westcountrycheese

Something Sweet

Claire Wallace, the founder of the Devon-based catering company Claire’s Kitchen reveals some of her latest sweet treats, from the traditional tiered designs to the smaller strawberry-topped bites, mini meringues and brownies, www.claires-kitchen.co.uk; www.facebook.com/ClairesKit; www.instagram.com/salcombe_claire

Check out

Championing quality, sustainability and provenance, Food Drink Devon shines a light on the county’s food and drink suppliers to a national audience through various events that have recently taken place. At these events, the ongoing innovation, drive and enterprise within the region have been showcased through a selection of producers including Luscombe Drinks, Hattiers Rum, Salcombe Gin and Sharpham wines from Sandridge Barton - and leading hospitality businesses, such as Boringdon Hall, Saunton Sands Hotel, Winslade Manor and The View restaurant at the new Courtyard by Marriott Sandy Park hotel.

This incredibly active organisation, which is going from strength to strength, has now reached a record 350 members and has grown its team with a new membership development manager, Kate Rippin. It has further networking events, workshops and trade and consumer shows planned, in addition to its highly regarded awards which are currently open for entries.

Greg Parsons, chair of Food Drink Devon, says: “Devon is home to a flourishing food and drinks sector with more than its fair share of award-winning producers and hospitality businesses. Lush pasture, high moorland and miles of coast yield delicious meat and dairy, abundant seafood and Michelin stars, but Devon also has bright, new start-ups and exciting foodie entrepreneurs who merit a wider audience.”

For more information on Food Drink Devon visit www.fooddrinkdevon.co.uk

SOMETHING TO DRINK?

This champagne-style cider has been made in the West Country with fresh apples and a tailored blend. They can be personalised with a bespoke label for weddings, www.rullorchard.co.uk; www.facebook.com/RullOrchard; www.instagram.com/rullorchard

The new Solar Wave beer from Sharp’s Brewery delivers delicious flavours and aromas often associated with new-world craft beers. At 4.6% ABV, Solar Wave is a vibrant, golden, juicy cask beer with a lower fizz and a distinctive golden haze. Solar Wave is brewed with speciality ingredients, including oats for a creamy mouthfeel and Cryo hops for a distinctive zesty and zingy flavour.

Sharp’s head brewer, Aaron McClure, says, “Solar Wave is a bold and revolutionary new beer for us at Sharp’s and it’s been a really exciting time, developing our first ever hazy brew for national distribution. We have used new world hops from some of the most modern and cutting-edge suppliers to produce a product with a wonderfully tropical aroma.”

To shop, visit www.sharpsbrewery.co.uk; www.facebook.com/sharpsbreweryuk; www.instagram.com/sharpsbrewery

On The Menu

Wedding season for this year and next is busier than ever for the team behind West Country Caterers. Owner Sarah-Jane Payne tells us, “We always try to keep on-trend with menus and barbecues are back; we can also serve paella from big pans plus grazing tables are extremely popular. Our trio of desserts always go down a treat with guests, and our infamous cheesecake served as a wedding cake is also in demand. Our aim is to tailor the menu to each couple's requirements being conscious of any special dietary issues.” www.west-country-caterers.co.uk; www.facebook.com/WestCountryCaterers www.facebook.com/SalcombeGin; www.instagram.com/salcombegin

Delicately sweet, dry and refreshing, Salcombe Distilling Co.’s exceptional new small batch Victuallers Special Edition Rhubarb & Bergamot Gin is available in a 50cl bottle, RRP £40, ABV 38% from www.salcombegin.com and Salcombe Distilling Co.’s Victuallers flagship stores in Salcombe and Dartmouth.

Crafted at Salcombe Distilling Co.’s stunning waterside home, one of the world’s only distilleries directly accessible by boat, Victuallers Special Edition Rhubarb & Bergamot Gin uses nine botanicals including rhubarb, bergamot and kumquat. The sweet and sharp flavours have been expertly balanced with more traditional gin botanicals including juniper, angelica, cassia bark and lemongrass to create this smooth, refreshing new release.

Andy Stafford, the distiller at Salcombe Distilling Co., says: “In our Victuallers Special Edition Rhubarb & Bergamot Gin, we’ve used rhubarb in an elegant and sophisticated way which isn’t overly sweet or reliant on artificial flavours and colours. Combining our love of gin with a dryer and zestier finish, we’ve created something special."

The team at Sharpham Dairy located in the Dart Valley in South Devon offer a bespoke service which includes a trip to the dairy where they hand-make a selection of delicious varieties. The talented team suggest how a dramatic tower of cheese, a triple-layer cake or an overflowing cheeseboard all create a stunning centrepiece, but can be the foundation of the evening banquet too. They also advise couples to plan at least eight weeks ahead to make sure that the cheeses are aged to perfection, https://sharphamcheese.co.uk

Raise a non-alcoholic toast to summer weddings with Luscombe’s special-limited edition Rose & Cherry Bubbly. It’s a sparkling blend of organic rose and cherries, naturally sweetened with muscat grape and finished with Sicilian lemons and soft Devon spring water. Awarded a Royal Warrant in 2021, in recognition of their products which are enjoyed by the Royal Households, Luscombe took inspiration from the rose featured in the coronation emblem when crafting Rose & Cherry Bubbly.

Gently sparkling, the exquisite bubbly balances the sweet-tartness and burst of cherries beautifully with the delicate floral notes of the rose. The quintessential fizz is superbly served chilled on its own, or with a premium spirit and citrus garnish. Extremely versatile, it’s delightfully paired with an array of dishes including summer tarts, creamy soft cheeses and charcuterie as well as fruity desserts.

Like all the drinks in Luscombe’s range, it contains no artificial additives, sweeteners or concentrates and is gluten-free and vegan-friendly. Limitededition Rose & Cherry Bubbly joins Luscombe’s other bubblies in their portfolio including Strawberry Bubbly, Wild Elderflower Bubbly and Damascene Rose Bubbly. Rose & Cherry Bubbly can be purchased from www.luscombe.co.uk in single-serving bottles (12x27cl bottles, £26.50).

Luscombe’s range of organic soft drinks, fruit juices, crushes, bubblies, tonic waters and mixers plus a traditional organic Devon cider is the very essence of spring and summer. They have been producing beautifully crafted drinks on a farm in Devon since 1975 with founder and owner, Gabriel David, having become renowned for his pursuit of perfection and a no-compromise approach to creating an elegant and multi-award-winning range of drinks that use the very finest organic ingredients and Dartmoor spring water.

There’s also the new Rhubarb Crush now available, crafted to be enjoyed as a soft drink or mixer. Luscombe Rhubarb Crush is a lightly sparkling blend of organic Rhubarb, Madagascan vanilla and soft Devon spring water. It’s fresh and bright, with the tartness of the rhubarb tempered by the soft sweetness of vanilla. As well as organic rhubarb juice, the ingredients of this gently sparkling drink include organic blueberry juice, organic Madagascan vanilla extract and organic lemon oil. Its colour is subtle yet eye-catching, an enchanting soft pink. With a calorie count of fewer than 60 calories per bottle, it’s one for all to savour.

Exquisite in mocktails and cocktails and served well chilled, Luscombe Rhubarb Crush is a delightful alternative to champagne or prosecco and a beautiful accompaniment with food. When drink pairing with a meal, the general rule is to choose the fruit ingredient that partners best with what you’re eating. On this principle, refreshing Luscombe Rhubarb Crush is delicious as an accompaniment to rich-tasting foods such as pork, duck and oily fish as well as spicy cuisines, such as Asian.

Luscombe is proud to be the first drinks brand to have gained organic accreditation from the Soil Association and, like all of the drinks in the range, Rhubarb Crush contains no artificial additives, sweeteners or concentrates. Luscombe Rhubarb Crush is available in a box of 12 x 27cl glass bottles, for £26.50 from www.luscombe.co.uk; www.facebook.com/LuscombeDrinks; www.instagram.com/luscombedrinks

Devon Cove has curated a range of cocktail sets. These attractive gift boxes are wrapped in a colourful ribbon and include a hand-written gift tag with free nationwide delivery over £30. They include the Cove Passion Royale Cocktail and Salcombe Candle Gift Box, £43.00; The Cove Hazelnut Liqueur, Hot Chocolate and Marshmallow Gift Box, £36.90 and The Cove Passion Fruit Martini & Macaron Gift Box, £42.90.

Founded in 2019 by Leanne Carr, Devon Cove creates exceptional vodka using King Edward potatoes lovingly grown on Leanne’s family farm overlooking Hope Cove. Already the recipient of multiple high-profile awards, Cove vodka is as pure and clean as the sea air around it and uniquely smooth to taste, www.devoncove.co.uk www.facebook.com/DevonCoveVodka; www.instagram.com/devoncovevodka

Other tasty tipples to try are Mainbrace Rum (https://mainbracerum.com) and the wide variety of wines available from Wickhams Wine (https://wickhamwine.co.uk).