A WEST Devon hotel has teamed up with a number of local producers including Dartmoor Farmers Limited (DFL) to put the best West Country fare on the menu.

Yelverton's Moorland Garden Hotel's new head chef, Bruce Cole, has wasted no time in making his mark on the menu, ensuring diners are being served the best local food. This includes lamb and beef supplied by DFL, a co-operative of moor based producers raising native breeds of beef and lamb on and around their farms scattered throughout the Dartmoor National Park. 

Local suppliers will be the focus of a West Country producers' day taking place at the Moorland Garden Hotel tomorrow (Friday).  The free event offers visitors the opportunity to meet the producers, sample their wares and watch demonstrations on how to best use the ingredients.

Launching the new menu at the hotel's Wildflower Restaurant and Dartmoor Bar, Bruce Cole said: 'It's been a real privilege meeting Mat Cole of Greenwell Farm, who is not only a close neighbour, but a director and producer for DFL. 

'I visited his farm just five minutes away from our hotel and grasped how passionate he is about raising delicious produce and simultaneously enhancing the beauty of Dartmoor for ours and future generations.

'I count myself very lucky working in this beautiful part of the world where we have such amazing ingredients so readily available. I want diners to know the provenance of their food and for this to be part of the enjoyment of the meal.'

 Speaking on behalf of DFL, Mathew Cole added: 'We're delighted to have the Moorland Garden Hotel championing sustainable farming on the moor.' 

The local produce fair runs from noon to 4pm and culminates with a gourmet wine supper at 7pm. Tickets for the supper are £49.95 per person — with a donation going to Children's Hospice South West — and includes five courses with matching wines.  For tickets and further information please contact events on 01822 852245.