POPPING UP NEAR YOU

As I am about to swan off on my hols I won’t be blogging for a few weeks. So I though I’d take a look at some pop-ups happening through the summer to keep you lovely foodies busy … and well fed!

Despite running a hugely successful restaurant, catering for weddings and other events and hosting cookery demos, Wild Artichokes somehow finds the time for a busy Summer programme of pop-ups!! We’ve been lucky enough to eat at WA headquarters a few times, including my hubby’s 50th birthday and the food is always imaginative, flavoursome and plentiful. On August 16th they are popping up at Nkuku – the lifestyle store and cafe near Totnes and having been last year can thoroughly recommend you go. You’ll eat in the pretty courtyard surrounded by olive trees and if the weather stays like this then who needs to go to the Meditteranean!

Having had a taster of his food a few weeks ago at The Cellar Door in Sharpham can thoroughly recommend you try to get to one of the Devon Food Movement pop-ups run by Luke Holder. At all these events they produce and serve small plated set menus to allow diners to get a true taste of each location at any given time within the season. At each location collaborators are challenged to find as many ingredients from within a five-mile radius of the event venue.

One pop-up I’ll certainly be trying when I get back from my travels is the Pipers Farm Feast. Firm favourites and sponsors of our Dartmouth Food Festival this is certain to be a humdinger of an event. The evening will be set in the old stable next to their picturesque cider orchard. Food will be prepared over their fire pits, showing off the best and most interesting cuts of meat from the farm. There will also be locally caught sustainable seafood, foraged ingredients from Devon’s larder as well as incredible fruit and veg from local growers.  There are many dates available throughout the summer so don’t delay – book your seat now.

Definitely worth a visit too is the Riverford Field Kitchen, which has its own garden steps away from the restaurant. There’s no doubt here that what you’re getting is fresh from the farm! There’s just one sitting and you are usually on a table with other guests which makes for lively conversation. Do book as they only cater for the amount of people coming. Every time I’ve been the menu is different and inspired by the bounty from the fields around. Grass-reared meat and sustainable fish are on the menu as well but seasonal organic veg is definitely the star of every plate.

And now a shout out to a new pop-up on my doorstep – Upper Deck at Bushells in Dartmouth is home to a new 6 week Pop-up Bistro. The menu is Italian inspired – simple but tasty using locally sourced ingredients. And with fabulous views of the River Dart what’s not to like. If they can make a good lasagna count me in !!

And finally more of a giant pop-up really – the Nourish Festival in Bovey Tracey. A food, music and craft festival all rolled into one. The streets are packed with food producers and street food vendors and there are lots of events on in local venues as well – including the Gin Festival in the Whisky Distillery!! A great day out (this year on 31st August) and one not to be missed.

If you know of any more pop-ups happening around Devon do let me know.

Happy eating !!!