DEVON-based cheesemaker Quicke’s is opening a new cheese counter and tasting room on Saturday 25th January, at the family’s Home Farm near Crediton. The new store, which will be launched with a tutored tasting event led by Stuart Dowle, replaces Quicke’s Farm Shop. It will focus on cheese from the South West, along with a…
THE National Trust opened a new restaurant at Avebury in time for Christmas, following a complete reconstruction of the old cafe, which was damaged by severe winter weather. In February 2018 much of the South West was plunged into a frozen world of snow and ice as sub-zero temperatures hit. The so-called “Beast from the…
CHRISTMAS is a time when most cheese-lovers enjoy some special treats, whether it’s a great Stilton (with or without port) or one of the country’s finest traditional Cheddars, for which we are spoiled for choice! Among the best are the three great Somerset traditional farmhouse Cheddars, from Keens near Wincanton, Montgomerys of North Cadbury and…
THERE are five finalists from the South West for the Guild of Fine Food’s 2020 Shop of the Year awards, an accreditation scheme which recognises and promotes excellence in independent retail. Among the 36 independent retail outlets named, five from the South West are in the running to win in the following categories: Delicatessen &…
THE Thinking Drinkers make a boozily welcome return visit to Bridport Arts Centre on Saturday 23rd November with Heroes Of Hooch, a hilarious and intoxicating look at history’s greatest drinkers. Enjoy five free drinks as the award-winning experts reveal how alcohol has inspired pioneering explorers, politicians and painters in equal measure, from Plato and Picasso,…
AUTUMN is peak apple season and the National Trust team at Hardy’s Cottage, near Dorchester, is celebrating the nation’s favourite fruit in October and November with an invitation to visitors to taste the fruit from Hardy’s orchard and have a go at apple pressing and see cooking demonstrations. The team has been delving into Hardy’s…
HAUSER & Wirth Somerset will be celebrating the bounty of autumn with the annual Pumpkin Festival at Durslade Farm, Burton, on Sunday 27th October, from 11am to 4pm. Have you grown your own pumpkins, squash or gourds this year? If so, bring along your homegrown veg and enter the grand pumpkin and squash competition. Renowned…
A FAMILY of cheese-makers based at Hewish near Weston-super-Mare took three of the top awards at this year’s World Cheese Awards, held for the first time in Italy. Trethowan’s Dairy Ltd, originally from Wales and now settled in Somerset, won Best British Cheese and Best Mature and Best Extra Mature Traditional Cheddar for their Pitchfork…
A YEAR after winning The Seed Fund annual prize, Dorset Sea Salt Co has revealed a new look for its range of natural and flavoured sea salts. The Portland-based start-up company has spent the year working closely with Seed Fund mentors, including branding and marketing consultancy, The Collaborators, and has now unveiled a contemporary new…
CHEF and food writer Lucas Hollweg and his partner Lucie Reader have organised an Apple Day event in Castle Cary on Sunday 27th October, from 10.30am to 3pm. Lucas and Lucie will be making apple fritters and there will be apple pressing, cider, children’s activities, live music, cheese stalls and apple identifying. Castle Cary Apple…