Bideford welcomes Eat Festival

Bideford is poised to welcome a much-anticipated food festival this Saturday, April 6, which is expected to attract a significant influx of attendees. 

The event, known for its celebration of local culinary talent, is anticipated to provide a substantial boost to various local businesses. 

Running from 10am to 4pm on Saturday (April 6) along Bideford quayside, visitors can expect to enjoy a variety of delicious local produce. 

This marks the second year that Eat Festivals has come to Bideford, with the festival having run since its inception in 2012.

A spokesperson for the food festival said that this festival is: "A great way to kick start the spring alongside the river in Bideford."

"Expect to find over 60 local food and drink producers and a great range of free entertainment."

On their website, Eat Festival said: "Our food & drink festivals are free to attend, family-friendly, accessible and held in a town centre. We aim to celebrate the great local producers surrounding the festival town by putting on a cracking one-day festival that is low cost for them to attend - meaning that money goes straight back into local businesses; well publicised; good fun; well run and with lots of variety. eat:Festivals is a not-for-profit social enterprise that aims to connect communities with the productive landscape that surrounds them, which is good for local business, food producers and for families."

The festivals aim to bring a great range of producers and products into the town on the day of the festival. 

Mostly based within 30 miles of each town, with a few exceptional and hard to find products from further afield. 

Along this, there will be a hands-on cook school, workshops, livestock, tractors and lots of entertainment and competitions. 

The Gazette caught up with some of the local food participants who expressed their excitement at being part of the festival.

Dr. Peppa's Condiments:

Christopher Hatton is the owner of Dr. Peppa's Condiments, a business born out of a passion for chillies. 

"It all started with my love for chillies and chilli plants," Christopher shared with the Gazette. From humble beginnings growing chilli plants as a teenager, Christopher experimented with creating his own chilli sauce, perfecting it over numerous revisions.

"Since 2017, I've been sharing my sauces at markets, shops, and restaurants," he continued. 

What sets Dr. Peppa's Condiments apart is the ability for customers to choose their preferred heat level, ensuring there's something for everyone. 

"Our branding is fun, professional, and unique, drawing inspiration from my Kenyan heritage," Dr. Peppa explained. 

As for the future, he envisions his brand becoming the go-to choice for chilli enthusiasts everywhere, sparking conversations about spice levels and expanding into new chilli-based products. 

Taw Valley Microgreens:

Taw Valley Microgreens, led by Cassandra Collins, pioneers sustainable microgreen farming in rural North Devon. 

Born from lockdown concerns, their venture offers planet-friendly superfoods locally. Microgreens, bursting with phytonutrients, support immunity and vitality. 

The farm's commitment to nature-friendly practices fosters biodiversity on their four-acre plot.

Visitors to their stall discover unique, healthy options, supporting local producers with conscious choices. 

Reflecting on their future, Cassandra Collins said: "I would love to say it’s looking Rosie but this is a challenging time for small independent businesses. Fresh food producers are competing in an unequal playing ground where large corporate companies hold all the power. It takes courage and grit sometimes to hang on in but the belief in what we are doing keeps us at it."

tulsikitchen:

Ros Shaw, founder of tulsikitchen, embarked on her culinary journey 18 months ago, but it wasn't until recently, after leaving her teaching career of over 30 years, that she dedicated herself to the venture. 

Specialising in gluten-free and vegan delights, tulsikitchen offers delicious treats crafted with care in their Ilfracombe kitchen. 

"tulsikitchen produces delicious food that is all gluten free and vegan," Ros shared.

With plans to expand into retreats and events, including yoga-themed gatherings, tulsikitchen is poised to make a mark in the South West.

Ros has invited attendees to sample her offerings, encouraging them to explore a new way of eating. 

Lucho Bakes:

Founded by Luciano Soto Rodriguez, Lucho Bakes has quickly become a staple in Venn Valley Winery, Landkey since its inception on April 1, 2023. 

Specialising in sourdough baked goods crafted from organic ingredients, with local wholemeal flour sourced from Chittlehampton's The Waterers' Working Horses.

"We are the only sourdough bakery you can find on the day being part of the market," Luciano shared. 

Known for their quality and popularity among followers, attendees flock early to their stall to secure their favourite treats. 

With 11 wholesalers across North Devon and Torridge, plans for expansion include additional wholesalers, a shop, preorder system, delivery boxes, and sourdough baking classes. 

Torview Wines:

Torview Wines, established in 2007 by Tim Gorwan, emerged from the ashes of Foot and Mouth, transforming a "dirty farm" into a thriving vineyard and winery. 

Inspired by New Zealand's vineyard practices, Tim's expertise, gained from a decade in prominent vineyards and training with the University of California, fuelled the venture's success. 

Today, Torview Wines fills 14,000 bottles annually, specialising in fruity red wines and traditional method sparkling wines, alongside rose and white varieties. 

Additionally, they manage six vineyards across Devon and Cornwall.

He said: “At EAT Bideford, attendees can taste our bone-dry wines, renowned for classic fruit flavours like strawberry and plum.”

Atlantic Spirit Gin:

Located in Bideford, North Devon, Atlantic Spirit Gin micro-distillery stands proudly amidst one of only three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the UK, just minutes away from the South-West Coast Path.

Owned by Sadie and Quinton, the distillery embodies a deep passion for the coastline, continually exploring new flavours and botanicals sourced locally along the coast.

Using traditional gin-basket infusion in Copper-Pot Alembic stills, Quinton distils their award-winning gins, renowned for their pure, delicate flavours that are uniquely clean and 

soft. With seven distinctive flavours, including the seasonal micro-batch No.7 Special Edition, visitors to the Eat Festival are invited to taste and chat about their unique gins.

Heading into their sixth year of business, Atlantic Spirit Gin prioritises environmental sustainability, powering their stills with solar energy and advocating for bottle reuse and refill to minimise their ecological footprint.