Introduction to Torview Wines I had the absolute joy of joining Torview Wines for their Sparkling Wine Making Day, and although this process started in October 2023, it was a year-long experience, with the collection of my wine in October 2024, ready to drink for Christmas. Now having drunk most of my wines, and with English Wine Week 2025 here – it’s time to share … Continue reading My Sparkling Red Wine Journey with Torview Wines
Some condiments shout for attention; BFK Chipotle Aioli doesn’t need to. It knows what it is. It’s smoky, creamy, and just spicy enough. It delivers without fanfare, just quiet delicious confidence. This is one of my absolute favourite condiments, produced by Beer Factory and Kitchen based just outside of Exeter at Half Moon village. As you can see from the photo, I have already used … Continue reading BFK Chipotle Aioli: The Perfect Blend of Smoky and Creamy (product review)
A few weeks back I received an Instragram message from an account with videos showing a knife being deftly plunged into almighty cheesecakes and photos of these cloud-like desserts set upon a rustic wooden counter, and greaseproof paper – they lured me in, they caught my attention. This was a ‘Basque Burnt cheesecake’ and the account belonged to @kikodevon, something I’d personally never tried but … Continue reading Savour Epicurean Joy: Discovering Kiko’s Irresistible Basque Cheesecakes in Totnes
Au revoir August! It’s been a scorching month, not just the weather but across the county we’ve been filling our boots with some blooming lovely lunches and raising a glass or two to some of the fantastic independent producers and restaurants who call our county home. Even though the hot weather is due to ease, the heat hasn’t eased for thousands of small hospitality businesses … Continue reading August Highlights – new openings, transformations, pop ups and parties
Guest blogger, Beattie Phillips, tells us about the tasty offerings and deli delights she has enjoyed from Shepherd Shack Catering. As someone who will always choose a starter over a dessert and cheese over chocolate, I am also a lover of a savoury treat from a deli-counter. My eyes will easily pass over the cakes, brownies and flapjacks but not so when it comes to the … Continue reading Shepherd Shack Catering – deli products with a difference
Founders Sarah and Geoff Yates wanted to create an alternative to alcohol without compromising taste or experience and Sea Arch was born. As well as using natural botanicals, Sarah and Geoff are passionate about the environment too and use recycled cardboard for boxes and solvent free paint on the bottles. We wanted to know how Sea Arch came about so Sue asked Sarah some questions … Continue reading 10 Questions with Sea Arch Alcohol Free Spirits
As well as getting out and about visiting foodie places, we’re lucky in that we also get sent local produce to try. Let me introduce you to Sea Arch – an award winning non-alcoholic gin, made locally here in Devon. I was recently #gifted some items to try and wanted to share more about this award winning product and its origins. You may have already … Continue reading Review – Sea Arch Alcohol Free Drinks and Cocktails
Can you believe that this time last year, they were just letting us out to spend time in groups of 6, and hospitality businesses were either closed or offering takeaways only? Alfresco April was incoming and so many businesses were diversifying constantly to keep going. It’s not over yet; rules may have now been fully lifted all round and we’re enjoying the lighter evenings but … Continue reading February & March Highlights – New Openings, Eating Out & Devon Drinks
The looongest month of the year has come to an end; with a rather damp end to 2021, at least the last few weeks have blessed us with dry days and many a sunrise and sunset! With the C word still lurking, businesses are still working hard to make their customers feel comfortable enough to go out, visit them, eat in or takeaway. Don’t forget that many wonderful Devon businesses still deliver too, so you can get your dose of Devon food and drink without leaving the house if you need. Continue reading January highlights – fishtastic feasts, Sunday roast, alcohol free spirit and Vietnamese hugs in a bowl
Rockfish’s slogan is Tomorrow’s Fish are Still in the Sea, but what if those fish can be on your dish 24 hours later, from the South West coast to your kitchen – fintastic! Thanks to the team at Rockfish, I was offered a complimentary (#gifted) press preview of their new Seafood at Home delivery which is launching at 6am on Wednesday 5th January 2022. The … Continue reading Review – Seafood at Home delivery by Rockfish
What a roundup we have for you this month, August was actually quieter on the eating out front; we all had various commitments with work, summer holidays and also judging for various awards in the South West. The month ran away so we didn’t publish any highlights then, so have included a couple along with this month’s sumptuous September foodie adventures. So from baking on … Continue reading August & September Highlights
June has flown by, maybe because we’ve been out and about munching our way through Devon as usual, oh and drinking too! With English Wine Week mid-June we couldn’t help but get involved supping on local Devon wines. We got ‘cosy’ with small plates and cocktails in plymouth and also enjoyed some scrumptious baked delights from a little kitchen with a big heart….. Dining Out … Continue reading June Highlights – English Wine Week, Burgers, Breakfasts, Getting ‘Cosy’ & more!
Exeter’s cult café The Exploding Bakery announce their Summer Series of chef takeovers, with a stellar line up of local and London chefs to host feast of seasonal celebrations this summer. Co-founders Tom Oxford and Oliver Coysh have invited some of their favourite restaurants, cooks and chefs to take to the pass for one night only, beginning with Owen Barratt of Monty’s Deli on 25th … Continue reading Devon’s The Exploding Bakery to launch Summer Series of chef takeovers
World Gin Day is in June, so what better excuse could there be to put together a simple list (in alphabetical order) of Devon gin distilleries for you to be able to support a local businesses when purchasing your next gin, on World Gin Day, or any other day for that matter. Many of the businesses below are award winning and family owned and can … Continue reading Devon Gin Directory
Wow, April has come and gone and what a difference a year makes!
We’ve decided to do more of a highlights/newsletter style blog post rather than a blog fully focussed on one visit or event – we hope you enjoy it.
We’re looking forward to munching our way through May! Continue reading April Highlights – Food Kits, New Openings, Alfresco April, Foraging, Donut Porn and more
We’re delighted to have won an award from LUXLife Magazine for the 2nd year in a row! Merry Christmas to all our readers, and wishing you a restful time whatever it means to you during these tough times. Continue reading Dining Devon wins Best Independent UK Food Blog 2020
Alder Vineyard has recently expanded its facilities with a spacious ‘Kitchen’ café and local produce shop – it’s worth a visit for coffee and cake, charcuterie and cheese platters paired with their wines, or a vineyard tour. Continue reading Café & Vineyard Tour: Alder Vineyard – by Lauren Heath
For many of us, the lockdown has eased and there is some feeling that the world is returning to ‘normal’ – whatever that was. Throughout the UK, people are emerging slowly from three months of isolation; some are coming out but there are others who still have to be very careful. Lockdown has seen many businesses, especially hospitality, across the country adapt to a new … Continue reading Review: Stir Crazy Cocktail Box & Masterclass #ad
Quiche can be a French Tart, a topless pie or a pastry crust filled tart with savoury custard (eggs and cream), cheese, meat (for carnivores), seafood or vegetables. More familiar is Quiche Lorraine, which traditionally is made with lardons or bacon. It is a classic French dish, but Quiche originated in Germany and the word ‘quiche’ is from the German word ‘kuchen’, meaning cake. National … Continue reading RECIPE: Cheese & Leek Quiche for National Vegetarian Week by Sue Stoneman
