AS restaurants, pubs and other hospitality businesses in Devon open their doors again, the county’s food group, Food Drink Devon, has announced the support off wine buff and television personality Oz Clarke, and a new video and website.

Award-winning chef Peter Gorton (pictured), a recently appointed Food Drink Devon board member, says: “It has been such a challenging 12 months for our industry but we are all optimistic that there are better times ahead.

“We have worked tirelessly to support our members during the recent lockdowns and want to continue this work with a big boost for them all, as we enter a new post-lockdown era. We’re thrilled to be launching our new website which features our fabulous new video and shines a spotlight on the amazing produce available in our bountiful county.”

Devon’s unique combination of moorland grazing, rich arable soil and coastal waters means that nowhere else in Britain boasts the same variety of fresh local produce. From grass-fed cattle and free range poultry to fresh fruit (including grapes) and vegetables, rapeseed to seaweed, and local fish and shellfish, Devon has it all right on its doorstep and the new website will help locals and visitors find it all with a directory of local producers and details of streetfood businesses, cafés serving Devonshire cream teas, pubs focusing on locally sourced food with local brews and innovative restaurants.

Intended to be the go-to site for anyone wanting to find Devon’s best food and drink, the new website also includes news, offers, events, competitions and details of Food Drink Devon members.

Board director Howard Davies, founder of Salcombe Distilling Co. says: “We have always represented a large cohort of members but we have been overwhelmed with new applications in the last few months. Membership has surged to more than 300 producers, retailers and hospitality businesses and details of each one can be found on our new website www.fooddrinkdevon.co.uk.”

The film, on the website’s homepage, is a collaboration of new and existing footage, created by the videographers at The Really Good Media Company. It features Peter Gorton preparing dishes from produce supplied by Food Drink Devon members. Filming took place at The Husbandry School in Bickington and their beautiful landscapes, kitchen and animals all star in the film.

The new website follows the recent announcement that Oz Clarke will be hosting Food Drink Devon’s awards later this year.

Food Drink Devon is a not-for-profit membership organisation of food and drink producers, retailers, hospitality venues and related businesses dedicated to serving up the best produce from the county. With a focus on quality, sustainability and provenance, the organisation’s aim is to support and promote members and raise Devon’s culinary profile as a whole.

www.fooddrinkdevon.co.uk