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“Fast becoming one of the best UK’s Food Festivals”
’ve been to a few food festivals in my time and the one thing I’ve noticed is that they tend to be infiltrated by ‘outsiders’. Don’t get me wrong, nobody likes great chorizo or Le Rustique more than I do, but when there’s so much fabulous regional food why confuse the issue with overseas produce? Why not bathe in the glory, the quirkiness and character of local foods and producers?
He’s championed local produce in his establishment for years working tirelessly to celebrate the best of the South West in his dishes. Now he is also the man who’s brought many of Britain’s best known chefs to what is fast becoming one of the best UK’s Food Festivals – just ask Henry Dimbleby.
It’s a sentiment that the organisers of the Dartmouth Food Festival have taken to heart. At this year’s event I found the fine food artisans who had crafted bread, matured cheese and cured meats to produce heavenly food that left me with a deep feeling of satisfaction. I also met fishmongers proudly displaying their catch of the day, so fresh that I could smell the sweetness of the sea in the air. More than anything I had the chance to meet the characters and understand the passion that they have for what they do. It’s not simply a way of life - it’s a devotion, a passion, an obsession. From bread making demonstrations by the hilarious and fascinating Richard Bertinet of the Bertinet Kitchen Cookery School, to fish excellence classes by fishmonger and raconteur Mark Lobb, this festival had the lot. Even children were catered for with apple-pressing demonstrations and other activities. Where better to educate your children about where food comes from?
Photography Dartmouth Food Festival
Much of the success and popularity of the Dartmouth Food Festival is down to food writer, award winning fishmonger and restaurateur Mitch Tonks, owner of the Seahorse in Dartmouth.
Sure, crowd-pleasers Valentine Warner and Mark Hix were from out of town, but their stories were intoxicating and their cooking divine. They were the headliners who succeeded in catapulting this fabulous festival onto the national stage, this year attracting visitors from far and wide to the picturesque South Hams. As well as food demonstrations and fascinating insights into techniques and skills, many of the visiting chefs rolled up their sleeves and cooked in the local restaurants. This year Valentine Warner cooked up a storm at the Seahorse as did Mark Hix, owner of the Hix Oyster & Chop House and former Executive Head Chef for Le Caprice and The Ivy. At both evenings a few lucky Blue Chip Holidays’ guests dined with them having won our competition draw. Another ten of our lucky guests attended the ‘Audience with Mitch Tonks’ event where a thoroughly entertaining cookery demonstration by the celebrity chef was accompanied by a tasting menu prepared by local chefs. My colleague who attended regaled us with stories the next day of high jinks in the demo kitchen, where Jane Baxter (Riverford
Cooking demonstrations at Dartmouth Food Festival
Field Kitchen) and Holly Jones (Manna from Devon) had joined Mitch Tonks in preparing a range of dishes – where they with substituted many of the ingredients with ‘unique’ alternatives at the last minute. ‘Auctioning’ to release stolen ingredients not only entertained the audience but also raised funds to support unemployed young people in pursuing a career in the kitchen. One of the highlights of the festival was the wine tasting evenings in the gun tower of the atmospheric and historic Dartmouth Castle. Hosted by the UK’s youngest Master of Wines, Liam Steevenson and wine and food critic for the Guardian, Fiona Beckett, these evenings were exclusive complimentary events for Blue Chip Holidays’ guests. The hosts ability to pair great wines with fabulous cheeses was pure genius, verging on alchemy! (see www.bluechipholidays.com/food to see all the wines & cheeses) Such was the success of the 2010 festival that Blue Chip Holidays will once again be involved in next year’s event that is taking place from Friday 21 – Sunday 23 October. Further details, including special offers and events for Blue Chip Holidays’ guests will be announced at www.bluechipholidays.com/food Early booking for the festival is advised, so visit: www.bluechipholidays.com/food for accommodation options.
A fantastic range of produce on display
| 33 www.bluechipholidays.com Spring 2011