Discover Local Food and Drink Producers in the Isles of Scilly Imagine a place in the British Isles that boasts not only an unusual number of local food and drink producers, but individuals who are all very much in touch with the natural environment which surrounds them. It’s a little corner of heaven where you are likely to come across artisan producers down most leafy lanes and around every hedgerow. All of them are making delicious forms of food and drink, and all of it is

I have recently been beach-foraging with a couple of well-known Cornish chefs and I will be writing about that adventure in the coming weekend’s newspapers - in the meantime I recall writing another piece about beach foraging a few years ago… Here it is… There are few human pursuits more primeval than scavenging for food on a beach. Our early ancestors spent thousands of years practicing this skill as Homo sapiens began their slow migration out of Africa. In fact, it's reckon

People talk about an “embarrassment or riches” - a state of affairs which is not, for most of us, a phenomenon that occurs very often. But the phrase did come to mind one day recently after I’d arrived home laden with an abundance of edible goodies, some of them foraged from the wild, and other delicious items grown by vegetable gardeners of my acquaintance.  There are times when you can only beam at nature’s bounty and admire the treasures which can come out of the soil. Of

There are times when you taste something that’s so good, you feel an urgent need to know more. What exactly is this, you ask? Who made it? Why and how were they able to develop it and make it so good? If you are really serious, such questions can turn into a quest which takes you on a journey of discovery.  That is what happened recently when I tasted a truly amazing perry made by a man called Tom Oliver. It was like champagne. Indeed, this fermented pear juice drink was bett

The sun has been out and there have been evenings this week when the temperature has remained warm until late, but that’s not the only excuse one needs to enjoy dinner outdoors. Food cooked over an open fire can taste wonderful - indeed, even ordinary things cooked over charcoal will be promoted to another league of deliciousness if you know what you’re doing. And it doesn’t always have to be a case of meat sizzling on a grill - you can introduce pots, pans and woks to the fl

Strange how trends come around. The classic afternoon tea has had its ups and downs over the years - there were times when it seemed to have passed almost completely out of fashion, holding on in just a few upmarket traditional haunts like The Ritz. When I was a boy, a posh afternoon tea was the ultimate dream for people like my mother and her Westcountry friends but, decades later working as a food writer, I somehow managed to ignore the existence of these very British and g

<p class="">The first in the Hesp Out West series</p>

<p class="">About the delights of foraging wild garlic, a flavourful herb thriving in England's South West. This short article explores its culinary uses, from homemade pesto to sauces, highlighting renowned chef Mark Hix's insights. You must distinguish safe wild garlic from toxic lookalikes like Lilly of the Valley, ensuring a safe foraging experience. </p>

<p class=""><strong><em>This article nostalgically contrasts traditional West Country Christmas customs with modern celebrations. It reminisces about unique practices like ashen faggot burning, where participants drink and toast to banish spirits; the Mummers’ Play, featuring characters like Father Christmas; and 'guise-dancing' in St Ives, where people wore disguises and danced. It also mentions the belief of master bullocks kneeling at midnight on Christmas Eve and tradesme

<p class=""><strong><em>Delve into the gastronomic wonders of the Danish region of Kystlandet, located around the town of Horsens in eastern Jutland. A blend of scenic coastal beauty, lush landscapes, and historical depth, the article recounts memorable dining experiences during a British Guild of Travel Writers visit. Highlights include a standout meal at Ji-Mi’s, curated by the talented chef Jimmy Jensen, and traditional homemade dishes at the renowned Dolly’s in Horsens. T

Years ago we lived in Greece where we learned to catch octopus in the little bay where we lived. We also used to visit a town called Galatas where some very untouristy old bars - full of old men - used to serve grilled octopus as a kind of tapas when you bought enough ouzo. I loved that stuff. Really loved the smoky, sweet salty sea-flavour of the very chewy octopus with a squeeze of lemon. Grilling octopus might seem like a daunting task, reserved only for seasoned grill mas

<p class="">A day back in school - Salcombe Distilling Co’s new Rum School, to be exact</p>

<p class="">Midwinter is a wonderful time for the cold-water seafood caught off the coast of South West England </p>

<p class="">An excellent little hike around Budleigh Salterton that should satisfy some of those enjoying this years Taste East Devon food festival</p>

<p class="">Celebrating a wonderful East Devon hike for the Taste East Devon Festival - the coastal route from Branscombe to Weston Mouth</p>

<p class="">If you are going to one of the many Taste East Devon Festival events this year, then this short walk across lovely open landscapes is an ideal way of tasting the area’s wonderful countryside </p>

<p class="">A visit to Taste East Devon’s annual food and drink festival</p>

<p class="">A roundup of the perfect West Country drinks for a warm summer</p>

<p class="">Remembering a night out in Nha Trang on the coast of Vietnam - a long evening of eating and dancing…</p>

<p class="">A heatwave in southern UK today means loads of people will be out having picnics - but where to go in the South West? Here are some ideas…</p>