Food Fest
FOOD FEST DECLARED ‘AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS’
Barnstaple’s Pannier Market sees more than 5,000 visitors
North Devon’s first Food Fest, held on Sunday 12 October proved to be an outstanding success with both the public, who turned up in their droves, and stand holders. More than 50 local businesses attended to demonstrate both the wide variety and quality of North Devon’s food, drink and produce.
Feedback from the day indicated that the Pannier Market was the perfect venue, while other comments included “ Just what North Devon needs!”, “An excellent atmosphere” and “ We need a Food Fest like this at least once a year, if not more!”.
Martin Wickham, General Manager for North Devon + said:
“We were absolutely delighted with the outstanding success of the Food Fest. Despite the hot, unseasonal weather which could have tempted many people to the beach, we saw more than5,000 people join us to taste, try and buy the fantastic range of food and drink related items on offer.
Seth Conway of ITV Westcountry did an outstanding job as our compare and the chefs whipped up as much enthusiasm for cooking as they did wonderful food!”
Martin continued:
“ It was a great day both for the public and the businesses who supported the event. By the end of the event many had sold out of their particular goods and on top of this we know that many deals were done between the stand holders themselves. This is fantastic as North Devon+ exists to help the many businesses of the area to grow and expand their markets, so to encourage not only retail but wholesale opportunities for the food and drink providers was the ultimate aim of the day.”
Dez Turland, Group Development Chef for Brend Hotels co-ordinated the cookery demonstrations. He said:
"I think the 12th October 2008 will go down as a day to be remembered by everyone who was involved or attended. I think that the North Devon Food fest was something that both the public and the producers have been waiting to happen for years and attendance proved that.
The Brend Hotel group have always been committed to working with the best local and regional suppliers who share their vision, values, passion and ideals. Now is the time for everyone to build stronger relationships with growers, producers and suppliers and create a real North Devon Food culture. If we all support our local industry the availability of local produce will become more abundant and economical, encouraging a more ethical means of food supply.
The Food Fest brought together some of North Devon’s finest and most talented. Special praise must go to Peter Bliss, Simon Keating, James Duckett and Noel Corston for preparing, cooking and serving locally grown produce under extreme pressure on the Chefs Stage, attracting large audiences.
I will be contacting local chefs within the near future to set up a North Devon Chefs’ Food Committee. I think it's imperative that we build upon what was so successfully started at the Food Fest, to support our local industry. I'm sure this will be the beginning of exciting times ahead for North Devon."
Please email Helen Symons (Project Co-ordinator) by clicking here to register your interest, leave suggestions or request a phonecall)
|
