FEASTS Supper clubs, food festivals and cookery courses

FANCY FEASTS

Supper clubs, cookery courses and food festivals – here’s to a big, fun summer eating with friends and family By Harriet Noble

Colourful plates at Sacred Grounds

Over the past year, a lot of us have upped our culinary game, learning to cook things that previously we wouldn’t have had time to do. It’s fitting then, that cookery courses are seeing a huge upsurge in interest. There are plenty in Exeter, whether you want to impress friends with your crusty Sourdough or cook up a storm with a cracking curry. For those, who haven’t been encouraged to put a pinny on but definitely enjoy the fruits of other’s labour, there are plenty of cool supper clubs and popping up over the city. Bon appetit!

Supper clubs with Sonali Tailor-Greenall

SACRED GROUNDS

The vegan café and restaurant in McCoy’s Arcade is a gorgeously calming and cool spot in the city. If you’ve been there before, you’ll know it feels a bit remiss to call it a café – the food is exceptional, sporting imaginative menus and unexpected ingredients. The team here have welcomed back their supper club events, and the next one in the diary is Provenance at 7pm on Saturday 21 August, and will be an evening to celebrate local produce through a unique five-course tasting menu.

“We decided to send our talented chefs into the wilds of the Devon countryside to visit growers, crafters and food producers, to explore the beautiful and unusual and to ultimately create one-off flavour experiences to share with you,” says co-owner Hayley Maker.

Tickets are £34 and will include a crafted arrival drink; natural wines, ciders, soft drinks and specially paired cocktails will also be available on the evening. Sacred Grounds, McCoy’s Arcade, Fore Street, Exeter; www.sacredgrounds.co

SUPPERS BY SONALI

Prawn ravioli in a lime leaf butter, Thai basil slaw, aubergine shawarma, chicken kebabs with a cucumber and peanut Salad, tiramisu, and choux buns. These are the kind of dishes you can expect from chef extraordinaire Sonali Tailor-Greenall.

Sonali provides catering for small-medium sized private dinners where she creates bespoke menus for special occasions, as well as virtual workshops, and this August she will be bringing back her weekly Friday takeaways and hopes to re-start her supper clubs shortly.

“I cook food using ingredients from all around the world, and dishes that are inspired by my family’s heritage and travels,” says Sonali.

“I feel that it is important to show respect and appreciation to dishes and their origin, so you will see me explaining the history behind some of the dishes I cook. My inspiration is my family – we grew up in a multicultural family which means the food is one of the best parts of our get togethers! Also, as someone who was born and raised in North London, the vast amount of incredible food I was surrounded by definitely helps me in the kitchen today.” @suppersbysonali; www.suppers-by-sonali.myshopify.com

Sonali cooking up treats from the sea

DEVON COOKERY SCHOOL

The cookery school at Pipers Farm, Cullompton, runs a huge range of cookery courses with a strong emphasis on world cuisine; you can currently book yourself in to make Keralan curry and bahiji, Vietnamese and Mexican street food, as well as sweeter offerings such as pastries, afternoon tea and chocolate courses.

All the courses are taught by chef Jazzi Curley who’s been cheffing for eight years, working her way up the ladder from deli chef to cooking tutor for Jamie Oliver in London. After going on to do menu development, ski seasons and private cheffing, Jazzi happily landed back in her hometown of Exeter.

The rural location and atmosphere at the farmhouse kitchen play a big part in making these cookery classes so popular.

“With a hot drink and a pastry in hand we get ourselves kitted out and discuss the day ahead,” says Jazzi.

“All of our classes are laid back and relaxed with plenty of laughs and no chef whites or stainless steel in sight. I’m really into the science of food and cooking in general and encourage questions throughout the class.”

After you’ve made your food, everyone sits together to eat it and there are always leftovers to take home.

“If we get a nice sunny warm day we may even get the opportunity to eat our lunch in the herb garden which is such an idyllic location,” adds Jazzi.

“I have just introduced a half day meat masterclass to our calendar. Together we will learn to French trim and cook a lamb rack to perfection alongside a juicy pork tenderloin. We also have a two full day ‘Student survival’ classes aimed at teaching teens ages 16 and up to cook the basics and learn about food waste/ storage. Perfect for those off to university!” Devon Cookery School, Pipers Farm, Cullompton; www.devoncookeryschool.com

© DANE RIDGWAY

top left: Aprons on at devon Cookery School; left: Cor, yummy pork pies at DCS: above: Smiley team at The Oddfellows

ONES FOR THE DIARY!

7 – 8 August GUILDFEST

Some of the area’s biggest names in food and drink will feature at a two-day rooftop market festival in Exeter this summer.

The Guildhall Shopping and Dining Centre’s rooftop car park will be transformed for the free event.

This is the first Guildfest Rooftop Market Festival and punters will be able to enjoy stunning views across Exeter to Haldon and beyond as well as all day entertainment and fun family activities. www.guildhallshopping exeter.co.uk

21 August 10am – 4pm HONITON GATE TO PLATE

This annual street market is back! Celebrating all the fantastic food and craft from local food and drink producers, as well as traditional crafts people, a hands-on cook school, workshops, livestock, tractors, lots of entertainment and competitions expect a fun family-friendly day out. www.eatfestivals.org

11 September 10am – 4pm OTTERY ST MARY FOOD AND FAMILIES FESTIVAL

Community-organised and driven by a passion for local food and talent, local producers, products and chefs will be showcasing their produce including craft ales, artisan cheeses, cupcakes, preserves and sauces, mushrooms, truffles and much more. www.otteryfood.org

“All of our classes are relaxed with plenty of laughs and no chef whites”

THE ODDFELLOWS

The gastro pub favourite will be running their supper clubs throughout August, every Friday and Saturday night. Everything is made from scratch in house, with cocktails, aperitif menus; seven courses for £40.

Recent delights from the menu have included Vulscombe goat’s cheesecake, red onion jam and miso cress, forest fungi mushroom tea and crumpet, Exmouth crab, pea and mint salad, and strawberry fizz sorbet.

The Oddfellows team can also come to you – in the form of a bar. Their outside bar can cater for intimate gatherings of 10 friends at your house right up to large weddings of 500. n The Oddfellows, 60 New N Road, Exeter; www.theoddfellowsbar.co.uk