South West Foodie Heaven

We wrote a little while back about the Moretonhampstead Food Festival, and its celebration of local fine food and drink.  The next big foodie festival on the West Country events calendar is the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink (26th to 28th April 2013).

Over 100 suppliers of artisan food and drink, celebrity appearances, live demonstrations and an "After Dark" party will make this tenth annual festival a real crowd-pleaser.  The recent international food scares have been unfortunate - but if they cause people to spend a little more time looking at what's available on their own doorstep, there's some upside at least!

And for guests booking a stay at Mill End over the festival weekend, we're offering free tickets to the event.

Click here for more on the Exeter Food Festival and free tickets 

Mill End Hotel and Restaurant - a Country Hotel on Dartmoor
Chagford Dartmoor National Park Devon TQ13 8JN

Eat Local

 

Despite the odd shower, this year's Moretonhampstead Food Festival was a rip-roaring success. A bigger event than in previous years, and with visitors descending on the ancient stannary town of Moretonhampstead from all over Devon and from further afield.  Lots of visitors from Exeter in particularly - less than half an hour away, and known for its citizens' appreciation of fine local food.

With food "scandals" dominating the headlines in recent months, it is right and proper than truly local food-focused events such as the Moretonhampstead Food Festival get a strong following.  Food producers from all over the area were showing their finest - perfect meats, seasonal vegetables, traditional delicacies, beers, wines and soft drinks.  And, for the most part, all produced within an hour's drive.

The Mill End team were at the festival as usual, this time offering tasters of delicious, hot, wild garlic soup - made with garlic sourced from the riverbank outside the hotel.  Food doesn't get much more local than that!

Quality locally-sourced produce can cost a little more (but, suprisingly, not always!).  But one thing that the recent "food scares" have shown the world is that cheap food comes at a cost somewhere along the line.

Do the decent thing - support a local producer when you can.  You'll enjoy the results on your plate or in your glass, and your local producer will benefit from your business and further develop what they offer.

At Mill End Hotel and Restaurant, local, seasonal produce is always on the menu.  Prepared with care and presented with flair.  Our new restaurant menu offers a new twist, with flexible dining any day of the week (rather than fine-dining just for special occasions).  Visit us soon!

 

Mill End Hotel and Restaurant - a Country Hotel on Dartmoor
Chagford Dartmoor National Park Devon TQ13 8JN

Chagford Show

Great to see so many people at last week's Chagford Show (even though the weather could have been a little better!).  As always, the show was packed with things to do and see, and prize-winning animals of every description.  Chef Wayne put on an excellent show on our stand, with tasters of his divine tomato consomme going down a treat!  

Don't forget, there is still time for a late-Summer escape to Mill End.  The weather is mild, the welcome is warm, and this is a great time of year to explore along the riverbank and onto the moor.  For late-Summer availability call us on 01647-432282 or book on-line

Mill End - a country hotel on Dartmoor - www.millendhotel.com

Devon County Show 2011

One of the highlights of Devon's event calendar, the 116th annual Devon County Show comes to the Westpoint showground near Exeter on the 19th, 20th and 21st May 2011.

The show is expected to attract more than 90,000 visitors to the 93 acre site.  7,000 animals, a wealth of Devon food and drink, a flower marquee, hundreds of trade standards and virtually non-stop entertainment in six show rings.  

Watch animals at work, rest and play.  See Devon craftsmen at their work.  Visit the traditional fairground, try your hand at clay pigeon shooting, or just stroll around the massive rural site soaking up the atmosphere of the show.

Click to visit the Devon County Show website

The Devon County showground, just outside Exeter, is an easy 24 mile journey from Mill End.

Mill End Hotel - a country hotel on Dartmoor - www.millendhotel.com

Cutting the ribbon with Michael Caines

Tristan and Wayne with Michael Caines

The annual Festival of Food, Drink and Arts, held a couple of weeks ago in our neighbouring lovely Dartmoor town of Moretonhampstead, was a great success and certainly drew in the crowds.
A few of our guests that weekend took the opportunity to visit the festival, and everyone seemed to enjoy our head chef Wayne's delicious onion soup tasters on offer to festival-goers!
Wayne, and our hotel manager Tristan, were delighted to help celebrity chef Michael Caines cut the ribbon to open festival proceedings.


Mill End Hotel - a country hotel on Dartmoor - www.millendhotel.com

Festival of Food, Drink and Arts

This weekend (Saturday 5th March), our neighbouring Dartmoor town of Moretonhampstead is once again home to the popular annual Moretonhampstead Festival of Food, Drink and Arts.

The event runs from early morning through to late afternoon, with live music throughout the day and into the evening.

Naturally local food and expert cooking take centre stage, including demonstrations from celebrity chef Michael Caines and a feature appearance from our very own Head Chef here at Mill End, Wayne Pearson.  Wayne will be cooking up a piping hot, delicious Onion Soup, and of course tasters will be available!  

Mill End Hotel - a country hotel on Dartmoor - www.millendhotel.com