Returning for its 16th consecutive year, the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink takes place from Saturday 4th May – 6th May in the prestigious location of Exeter Castle Courtyard and Northernhay Gardens.
The festival has established itself as being a vital celebration of the produce of the South West and an integral part of life and event culture in Exeter.
The festival brings together a number of the best elements of the South West – celebrity chefs, workshops and live music. Expected to attract approximately 20,000 visitors, the long weekend of indulgence is the perfect place for networking and picking up some new culinary tips and tricks.
Whilst networking is one of the great benefits of any aspiring chef attending the festival, the other benefit is the number of South West food and drink being displayed there.
It is a great opportunity for you to learn how to find and source local ingredients and include these in your dishes – which can be a great selling point.
If your speciality is baking, expect to see many local treats and baked goodS retailers showcasing the best the South West has to offer.
Local farmers and produce suppliers will also attend the festival, creating the ideal atmosphere for you to venture into sourcing and using this local produce. Helping local businesses is something that’s gained a lot of attention in recent years, and can be great for someone in the restaurant trade to begin doing.
It can really transform your attitude to cooking!
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find at each site:
- Northernhay Gardens – VIP lounge, Festival Cookery Theatre, Food Pavilions, outdoor catering stalls, Darts Farm ‘Food is Fun’ Teepees, demonstrations and activities.
- Exeter Cathedral Grounds – live music, local musicians and bands, Festival Bar, street food and collaborative Exeter Beats music festival.
As you can see, there’s a whole host of opportunities at the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink, both for aspiring chefs and the public alike.
Take the opportunity to attend this festival and broaden your outlook on the delicious produce we manufacture in the South West – it could transform your cooking, or you could even meet your future employer.
If not, the festival is still a brilliant way to celebrate all things food!
