The Taste East Devon Food Festival will be returning to the district between September 9 and September 24.

The 16-day celebration will see award-winning venues, producers, chefs and restaurants across East Devon join forces again to celebrate food and drink.

Founder members include River Cottage, THE PIG-at Combe, Darts Farm, Mazzard Farm, Otter Brewery, Deer Park Country House, East Devon AONB, The Donkey Sanctuary, Jack in the Green and Lympstone Manor.

The festival starts with the Ottery St Mary Food and Families Festival with the duration of the festival seeing a whole host of tasting experiences, set menus and events across East Devon; including an evening with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at River Cottage and a Seasonal Feast in Darts Farm’s outstanding new restaurant, The Farm Table.

Celebrity chef and television personality Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said: “Our commitment to seasonal, local and ethically produced food is at the heart of everything we do at River Cottage, and the producers and makers who contribute to Taste East Devon embrace this message too.

“So we are delighted to be involved again this year in this hugely popular food festival.

“We are looking forward to some new producers making a first time appearance alongside some old favourites, and I’m sure the packed programme of events will draw people in from near and far.”

Another key player on the East Devon food scene, Michael Caines, chef and patron of Lympstone Manor, says: “This food festival takes a different format to most, which are fixed in one place. 

“It provides a fantastic opportunity to visit a wide range of food, drink and hospitality businesses within the 16 days enjoying everything from wine and beer tastings to sociable feasting evenings and fine dining experiences.”

Michael Dart, one of the founders of Darts Farm, said: “It’s the wide range of food and drink events on offer which makes the festival so popular. 

“People are becoming more and more interested in where their food & drink comes from, choosing to support local businesses and the provenance behind them. We have found over the past couple of years that tickets have sold out quickly, so this year, we have added a host of educational events and activities that will appeal to foodies, families, friends & individuals.

“Creating a real buzz around the incredible food and drink in the East Devon region.”

Ruud Jansen Venneboer, Taste East Devon Chair and owner of Mazzard Farm accommodation, said: “During the last two years the festival has been a huge success. East Devon has an incredible food community, and it’s always amazing to see so many world-class businesses join together and really put our beautiful part of the county on the map.”

The programme of events will be available to view at www.tasteeastdevon.co.uk.