WEST Devon will be showcasing its growing reputation as a food lover's paradise with local businesses offering a menu of delights in the two weeks leading up to the Tavistock Food and Drink Festival. West Devon Borough Council is again joining forces with the festival organisers to promote local firms and their produce for West Devon Food Heaven Fortnight. Tavistock has already been recognised as the Best Food Town in the South West and its farmers' market as the best in the South West, while its food and drink festival, which will be held on the weekend of July 28 and 29, goes from strength to strength. Earlier this year the Tavistock EatWise — Eat Local campaign, an initiative to promote the local awareness and quality of locally produced food, was expanded to take in all of West Devon borough. Events such as the Hatherleigh Beef Fayre and annual Okehampton and Chagford Shows all help to promote the borough as a centre of food excellence. From July 14, businesses across the borough will be opening their doors to local residents and visitors offering them meal deals, Devon breakfasts, cream teas and many more special deals. Last year, more than 600 people enjoyed the deals on offer at some 30 business premises. West Devon Food Heaven Fortnight will be promoting healthier lifestyles during the event, with offers linked to public transport routes, walking and cycling trails and to businesses offering healthy and local food produce. There will also be special arts and cultural experiences to enjoy throughout the two weeks. So if you're a local farmer, food producer, café, pub, shop or restaurant or anyone else in the food and drink business and you would like to be included in the Food Fortnight, contact co-ordinator Robert Plumb, West Devon Borough Council regeneration officer on 01822 813620 or email [email protected]">[email protected] David Incoll, chief executive of West Devon Borough Council, said: 'I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of offers and food treats available last year and can't wait for this year's Food Fortnight to begin. 'I would especially like to see businesses in the Okehampton, Hatherleigh and Dartmoor parts of West Devon embracing this worthwhile and enjoyable event so that they can showcase their quality offering to new and existing customers.' Jeffrey Stackhouse, chairman of the Food Festival, said: 'I am delighted with and grateful for the positive and ongoing support that we receive from West Devon Borough Council. 'Their inaugural Fortnight Trail last year was a great success and serves to publicise our Food Festival in a natural and meaningful way. 'Our festival exhibition stands are now virtually sold out, underlining its ongoing success, and we are particularly proud this year to have Burts Hand Fried Chips as our principal festival sponsor.' Full details on the festival are available at http://www.TavistockFoodFestival.co.uk">www.TavistockFoodFestival.co.uk
