Food and Drink 2014

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northdevonjournal.co.uk

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Thursday September 25, 2014

“It will come as no surprise to readers to hear that we at the North Devon Journal love food,� said Journal editor Lisa Templeton. “It’s simply impossible to miss, especially on the pages of Journal2 where we regularly carry restaurant and pub reviews, while sampling an array of fine produce

visit our website www.northdevonjournal.co.uk

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which is to be found in North Devon.� With this in mind, when the Journal was approached by North Devon+ to take on its successful Food & Drink Awards, the Journal was “most enthusiastic�, according to Lisa. So here in Food And Drink 2014, we take a look at the culture

of food that is right on our doorstep. In North Devon, local restaurants, pubs and cafes have mastered the art of creating highly desirable food; fantastic for our taste buds, not so much for our waistlines. It seems our much-loved landscape and coastline has inspired

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WITH the North Devon Journal Food And Drink Awards fast approaching, we take a look at the area’s flourishing food and catering businesses. From quaint country pubs to contemporary restaurants, vintage tearooms to international cuisine, North Devon is a hub for delicious grub.

The Journal

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many to utilise local produce in a way that has attracted visitors to the region for years. Take North Devon’s coastal location, for example. With fishermen trawling the waters for delicious ingredients in the form of fish, lobster, crab, mussels and any other delectable seafood, we’re promised a plentiful supply

of local produce. Not to mention our hard working farmers who strive to bring high quality meat and dairy produce to our tables. As a result, we’re consistently offered a vast array of local food, which has inspired our local businesses to create innovative dishes as well as British classics.

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visit our website www.northdevonjournal.co.uk

WHEN it comes to European cuisine, Florentino’s in Barnstaple provides a mouth-watering menu featuring authentic Italian dishes. As part of the Brend Hotels, this restaurant aims to serve ‘an authentic taste of Italy’, including anything from the delectable Bruschetta Collection to classic pizzas and Italian wines. Here, local produce has been fused with inspiration from Italian cuisine. Meanwhile, just next door, 62 The Bank offers an entirely different atmosphere, as a contemporary brasserie in an historic building. Whether you’re craving seafood or Piri Piri spiced dishes, 62 The Bank has a wonderfully broad menu, while set in a stunning former merchant’s house. Living in North Devon, we’re constantly surrounded by beautiful landscapes and rolling countryside, providing the perfect backdrop for many restaurants. The Coach House Restaurant in Kentisbury Grange is one such place. Situated in the magnificent grounds of the Kentisbury Grange Hotel, the restaurant serves innovative yet classic cuisine. The new head chef, Jean-Marc Zanetti, is now leading the kitchen team and brings experience from European cuisine. Let’s not forget about Devon’s marvellous woodland landscapes. We’re fortunate to be surrounded by magical forests, and Broomhill Art Hotel is set within

the heart of one of North Devon’s most breathtaking rural areas. This contemporary hotel has been influenced by Italian cuisine, creating the Terra Madre restaurant. The establishment serves up an irresistible menu, including

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homemade fresh sourdough bread, home-cured artisan chorizo and salamis and ample home-made treats, local produce is at the core of the restaurant. The menu is created using inspiration from travels to Italy, with

fresh, organic, fair trade produce from neighbouring farms and the coast. While we’re all inevitably hungry at the thought of these indulgent offerings here in North Devon, we must also consider the opportunity to gorge on speciality

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dishes. With an array of seafood and fresh fish, one local restaurant focuses entirely on the area’s thriving fishing opportunities. Fatbelly Fred’s is dedicated to sourcing all lobsters and crab locally from our coastline, with fish

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and seafood sourced from suppliers in Ilfracombe and Appledore. For all seafood lovers, a visit to Fatbelly Fred’s is a must, whether you’re tucking into a fillet of stone bass or gorging on the seafood platter.

Thursday September 25, 2014

NORTH Devon is also one of the few places home to such spectacular coastal eateries. Saunton Sands Hotel offers stunning views across the coastline, over the extensive golden sandy beach. This provides an idyllic setting to

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sample some of the hotel’s magnificent offerings. From succulent steaks to soups and delectable seafood dishes, Saunton Sands Hotel has a vast menu. Meanwhile, on the beach itself is the hotel’s sister eatery, Sands On

The Beach. The relaxed venue is home to an array of dishes, including food from land and sea and a lovely selection of pastabased meals. It is almost unheard of for a local to refuse a cream tea, and visitors

are equally eager to tuck into this moreish treat. We are fortunate to have such a fantastic range of tearooms in the area, either as a treat after enjoying a walk along the coast or a woodland stroll. At RHS Rosemoor, the joys of

wandering the gardens are perfectly met with a delightful dining option, including scrumptious homemade cakes. Rosemoor has a distinct connection with local produce, as it uses fresh fruit and vegetables from the grounds, with

the help of the on-site gardeners. Greg Tyler, the head chef, has been working at RHS Rosemoor for three years. He is passionate about fresh produce and strives to please all visitors, be it for a celebration event or a quick bite in the restaurant. For a vintage themed afternoon tea, Tea by the Taw offers an eclectic dĂŠcor and irresistible cakes. Complete with shelves of quirky teapots and bunting, the cafĂŠ uses locally sourced produce to create its magnificent array of sweet treats and savoury dishes. From a classic Victoria sponge to scrumptious Sunday lunches, Tea by the Taw has set about creating a special cafe serving a wonderful range of food.

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• Winner gold award Taste of the West 2014 • Short-listed best hotel restaurant, Devon Life Awards 2014 • Short listed best restaurant N.devon awards 2014

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Bar meals; Monday / Sunday 12:15-14:30 3course lunch Outstanding selection of 24x tapas and £14.95 mezes dishes to choose from *3x dishes £9.95 per person 3 course dinner Terra Madre Restaurant @Broomhill £19.95 menu: www.broomhillart.co.uk 3 tapas and dessert Wednesday / Sunday Fine dining with a slow food twist £13.95 Please note we are closed Sunday night Booking essential Wednesday / Saturday evenings New Mediterranean menu • Served in lounges and library celebrate @ Broomhill.... Book now for Christmas 2014 | 4 private dining rooms for 4-120 guests

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Muddiford Road, Barnstaple, EX31 4EX - B3230 • 5 mins drive from ND Hospital | For reservations call 01271 850262

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COUNTRY pubs and restaurants are a firm favourite among locals and visitors alike, with the promise of rural charm luring us in, in addition to our pangs of hunger for the scrumptious food. Whatever the weather, pubs provide the ideal sanctuary after a long walk in North Devon. We are fortunate to be surrounded by an excellent range of pubs, from our locals to new favourites. The fantastic array of country pubs and inns offers visitors the chance to step back in time, with many showcasing the area’s history with plenty of stories to tell. Equally, locally-sourced dishes promise a taste sensation for locals and visitors. The Stags Head Inn at Filleigh is a picturesque thatched country pub, nestled in the heart of the countryside. The owners have taken pride in

focusing on quality food, using local produce for the majority of the menu. The restaurant makes use of local suppliers wherever possible for anything from fresh fish to fruit and speciality meats including venison, pheasant,

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duck and calves liver. Meanwhile, the Poltimore Inn, enjoying a stunning location in “the gateway to Exmoor” utilises Exmoor suppliers for their mouth-watering menu. All produce has been farmed and grown just a short

The Stags Head Inn

Delightful 16th century lakeside thatched inn

Our kitchen uses only the finest ingredients, sourced where possible locally here in Devon The restaurant offers blackboard, snack menu and daily specials, including vegetarian options. Wide range of child friendly dishes

Filleigh, Barnstaple, EX32 0RN

01598 760250 • www.stagshead.co.uk

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Beautiful Pub * Gorgeous Setting * Exquisite Food

distance away from the pub, an appealing prospect for diners and great news for the local economy. For classic British pub grub, the Rolle Quay Inn has focused its efforts on creating the perfect loc-

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al dishes. Whether it’s a scrumptious steak, a carvery or a curry, this pub has your classic British meals sorted. Using meat from a local butchers and featuring a delightful beer garden, the Bradworthy Inn

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is another marvellous North Devon pub. The traditional 16th century coaching inn offers a superb selection of real ales, cider, lager and bitter on tap in addition to serving glorious meals.

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Thursday September 25, 2014

The Journal

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Local produce is key says headline sponsor SUPPLIERS of food, drink and catering products to businesses across the South West, local family-based food wholesaler Philip Dennis Foodservice Ltd are the headline sponsor for the North Devon Journal Food And Drink Awards 2014. And managing director Stephen Carr feels that supporting such local initiatives is important. “The quality of food provided by local producers is outstanding. North Devon is also very fortunate to have extremely talented chefs who can prepare and present this produce to the highest level,� he said. “This is appreciated by customers who are becoming increasingly discerning about what they eat. All this encourages a passionate cycle that fuels the local economy, so the value of these awards should not be underestimated.� Director Nigel Yeo highlighted the successful launch of the local Lundy Fish brand from Dennis Family Fishmongers last year, as well as a recent sweep of awards

for Dennis Family Butchers. The butchery team scooped several top awards in competitions held by Eblex and Taste Of The West recently, which applauded the exceptionally high quality and superior taste of Dennis Family Butchers own-brand local meat. “Our Devon and Cornwall Prime Beef range has established itself as a firm favourite among local chefs, while our recent Exmoor National Park Beef is already generating a lot of compliments and demand,� Nigel said. The company also ensures that the chefs it works with are equipped with all they need to create the very best dishes. “We see just how tirelessly our local chefs’ work, how indefatigable their passion is, and the efforts of business owners as they strive to offer the very best in service and setting,� Nigel added. “To have their achievements recognised in the North Devon Journal Food And Drink Awards is wonderful.� According to mar-

keting manager Sara Williams, the awards are a perfect fit for the company. “We’re so proud to have been chosen as the headline sponsors� she said. “Knowledge, passion and great service – they are the main drivers behind all we do, and I suspect we will see the same within those that are recognised by these awards.� Philip Dennis is a family-business which began in Braunton more than 100 years ago with a butcher’s shop. Therefore, supporting local initiatives – such as the North Devon Journal Food And Drink Awards – will always be important. “The company has always stayed true to its values and our team have become renowned for their passion – there are so many great stories here of how colleagues have gone the extra mile to support their customers,� Sara added. “Supporting them, and the wider economy, through the benefits of the North Devon Journal Food And Drink Awards, was an obvious action to take.�

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Celebrity chef will dish out awards

CELEBRITY chef Michael Caines, MBE, will be presenting the awards to the victors of this years North Devon Journal Food And Drink Awards. Caines, who grew up in Exeter, is famous for bringing multi-stardom to Gidleigh Park Country House Hotel on the edge of Dartmoor. His culinary journey began in the humble surroundings of Exeter Catering College, but he

now boasts two Michelin stars and an MBE to his name. He’s also at the helm of a national food empire, from the prestigious Gidleigh Park to the ABode Hotel chain of restaurants in Exeter, Chester and Manchester. Despite a national profile, Caines’ heart belongs to Devon and he is known to be an eager supporter of other initiatives like North Devon Foodfest where, this year, he will present the North

Devon Journal Food And Drink Awards. “North Devon is one of the most beautiful and outstanding parts of the South West and it is often overlooked by tourists on their way to North Cornwall,� he said previously about Foodfest. “I often holiday with my family on the North Devon coast, and the area is home to a wonderful array of food producers, chefs and restaurants.�

TALK about super service! To celebrate English Tourism week earlier this year, Marsdens Devon Cottages said thank you to their loyal repeat customers with a delicious cream tea at Sandleigh Tea Rooms in Croyde. And the Braunton-based family-run business are leading by example – they are the sponsor of the Super Service category in the North Devon Journal Food And Drink Awards 2014. “We are happy to be sponsoring the Super Service award as we are keen believers in exceptional customer service,� Arlene Collins, customer service manager at Marsdens, said. “Our success is based on the simple premise that we offer great service and unrivalled experience to both owners and holidaymakers. We are proud of our record for great service and outstanding repeat custom. We ask for feedback from all our visitors giving us the opportunity to continually improve. Our open, friendly manner means that holidaymakers and homeowners know us by our first names and feel that they can pick up the phone or call into the office whenever they have a question, suggestion or concern they’d like to discuss.� Marsdens has a portfolio of more than 350 Visit England graded holiday cottages from old fishing cottages to countryside barn conversions. Back in 2013, the majority of the staff took part in the Welcome Host scheme, resulting in a final exam which each team member passed. Arlene believes the company’s core values and passion for customer service was the deciding factor in sponsoring this category and, as winners of the Best Tourism/Hospitality cat-

egory in the North Devon Journal Business Awards 2012, Marsdens is committed to supporting the area. “We are big supporters of local produce and local eateries which we assist in promoting on our website and through social media,� Arlene added. “We also run regular competitions on our com-

pany Facebook page and through our mailers for hampers of local produce, using companies such as Ballantynes Delicatessen in Barnstaple.� The Super Service award is given to an individual who offers excellent customer service, attention to detail and takes pride in their role.

Marsdens sponsors super service award

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The Big Sheep sponsors Best Pub HERE’S a facet of information you may not be aware of: The Big Sheep has a brewery. The Country Life Brewery is based at the popular North Devon attraction and produces 10,000 pints of beer every week which is sold to pubs across North Devon. So, who better to sponsor the Best Pub category in the Journal’s Food And Drink Awards? “Local pubs of North Devon are at the heart of our communities� said Rick Turner, director of The Big Sheep. “They are still great places to meet, enjoy great food and beer, and are pretty unique. When pubs close a magical bit of the village life is lost forever. We should help them to adapt, survive and thrive for future generations to enjoy.� An eighth generation farmer, Mr Turner was keen to pledge support to North Devon’s food and

drink industry.“We are committed to buying local, supporting local,� he said. “We started The Big Sheep in 1987 as a diversified farm, producing sheep milk and sheep milk products. It is in the DNA of what we do and now that we have an award-winning micro brewery on site where the milking parlour once was we are proud to be giving back to our local community once again supporting the North Devon Journal with the food and drink awards.� Mr Turner said North Devon was a fantastic place to live and work: “North Devon is totally unique, we have fantastic countryside, from sea ports and wild coastline to the stunning moorland and forests to the high hedges or the lanes, with rolling countryside interspersed with village communities who still enjoy the values of yesteryear.� Country Life has been one of

North Devon’s most popular brewers for more than 10 years, and Mr Turner said good food and drink was important for people in the area. “We should all be investing, improving, innovating and striving to offer the best visitor experiences and great places for us locals to enjoy and spend our money,� he said. “The North Devon Journal Food And Drink Awards is an opportunity to celebrate the best we have, encourage people to try new places and for others to try and match or exceed their fantastic high standards of service, ambience and local food and drink.� The Best Pub category will be judged on criteria including taste, local ingredients, presentation and value for money. The range of local beers and wines will also be a factor.

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North Devon has “fantastic places to eat� says Best Restaurant sponsor ESTATE agents Anthony Turner & Co have been around long enough to see the food and drink industry in the area flourish. The well-established firm has been based in Barnstaple since 1995 and are this year sponsoring the Best Restaurant category in the North Devon Journal Food & Drink Awards 2014. Now entering its 20th year in business, Anthony Turner & Co has been passionate about North Devon and supporting local business since its inception. “We’ve never sponsored an award before, and thought that the Best Restaurant category was a fitting option,� Anthony Turner, director of the company, said. “I am always dining out in North Devon; it is one of life’s many enjoyments. “I find it a wonderful way of socialising and meeting people. “ I’m particularly fond of eating in Ilfracombe and Instow. “Eating out is more popular now than ever and the range of eateries and restaurants is extensive. More so, people are eager to try new foods and cuisines.� Although the firm is based in

Barnstaple, Anthony said all areas had grown to become “fantastic places to eat�. “There is such variety in today’s food and drink industries,� he said. “We’ve become used to a range of cuisines, including Italian, Indian, Chinese and, of course, traditional dishes. “I’ll be hoping to see a good atmosphere and friendly and accommodating staff in the winning restaurant.� Another aspect the firm considers to be important is sourcing

food locally. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a great range of restaurants in North Devon using local produce. People like to know where their food comes from,� Anthony added. “Overall, we’re hoping to see many of the area’s fantastic restaurants take part in this year’s awards.� The Best Restaurant category will be judged on criteria including dining experience, the skills and knowledge of the staff and the quality of the meal.

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