Cracking weekend at The Shops at Dartington Food Fair

This wonderfully sunny weekend (29th – 30th May) saw The Shops at Dartington’s annual Food Fair back for its sixth year, and what a brilliant bank holiday weekend it was. Attracting a record breaking crowd, over 7,000 visitors flocked to the popular shopping destination near Totnes. Throughout the two days visitors were treated to the county’s fabulous food and drink producers and the opportunity to watch mouth-wateringly good workshops from Devon’s food and drink stars.

Commenting on the success of the Food Fair, managing director of The Shops at Dartington, Barbara King, said: “Over the past six years we have undoubtedly seen an increase in Devon’s food and drink scene with food tourism becoming a real pull for many visitors to the region. Events such as our annual Food Fair really do put Devon on the map as a must visit destination for food and drink lovers from around the country.” Barbara continues: “We are delighted with how the Food Fair has grown over the past few years, it’s the highlight of our year here at The Shops at Dartington. Raising awareness and helping to promote Devon food and drink businesses and producers is extremely important to us and our Food Fair helps us achieve this.”

One of the highlights of the weekend, the demonstration kitchen hosted well-known, local foodie heroes on both days. Crowds were wowed by the passion, flare and talent of some of the amazing chefs and food experts as they shared their tips of the trade and favourite dishes.

JP Bidart from the Millbrook Inn tempted audiences with a variety of crab dishes. Seasonal spring dishes were on the menu during head chef at Exeter Golf and Country Club, Adam Little and his sous chef, Ben Corcutt’s demonstration. Totnes’ Italian food hero, Matteo Lamaro from The Curator Café showed the masses how to create ‘Perfect Pasta with Every Dish’. The Devon Scone Company’s highly acclaimed Richard Hunt shared his experiences of ‘The Perfect Devon Cream Tea’, with Exeter Cookery School’s, Jim Fisher enlightening all with a masterclass in spun sugar structures. Fish fans were treated to the art of learning how to crack a crab with Favis of Salcombe, while drink aficionados were treated to tastings and chats with BBC1’s ‘Saturday Kitchen’ wine expert Susy Atkins in The Shops at Dartington’s ‘Devon Drinks’ shop.

Held in association with Food & Drink Devon, over 40 of Devon’s best food and drink producers both large and small, old and new all showcased their wonderful products. New for the first time, Dartington Dairy had its goats milk ice cream available to try which was sampled alongside their just launched nine flavours of luxury cows’ milk ice cream. Other producers included Devon Distillery, Portlebay Popcorn, Riverford, Blueberry Brothers, New Lion Brewery, Bell & Loxton, South Devon Chilli Farm, Good Game, Luscombe Drinks, Ebb Tides, Norsworthy Dairy Goats and Frandie Macaron, as well as many other favourites.

A real family event, there were plenty of activities for the children including magic shows with Cosmo the clown, a craft tent, a Kinetic Sand sandpit, fabulous face painting by Zoe’s Fancy Faces, Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, ‘learn how to throw a pot’ classes with Crazy About Clay and courses in Tanner Bates’ leather workshop as well as live folk and jazz music.

In addition to the Food Fair visitors were able to browse The Shops at Dartington’s 14 onsite shops, many of which had visiting suppliers conducting demonstrations.

The Shops at Dartington is owned by the Dartington Hall Trust, an independent charitable organisation, trading ethically and sustainably as a social enterprise in order to help support the Trust’s activities in Social Justice, Sustainability and the Arts.

For further information about Dartington Food Fair please visit http://www.dartingtonfoodfair.org.