South West Initiatives

Cotswold Yorkshire Pudding Day returns with new venue and a chef chasing a third title

The annual Cotswold Yorkshire Pudding Day returns this year at a new venue, with a reigning champion aiming to secure a third consecutive win.

An ancient Somerset tradition lives on at Sheppy’s Cider as Wassail returns

Sheppy’s Cider welcomed the local community to its annual Wassailing evening on Friday 23rd January, with over 450 attendees gathering at the cider farm near Taunton to celebrate one of Somerset’s oldest winter traditions.

Lympstone Manor launches ‘Quietcations’

Creative retreats, nature walks, poetry walks, a Book Butler and restorative stays on the Exe Estuary – Lympstone Manor launches ‘Quietcations’.

The Food WorksSW to host new funded events for food and drink businesses

One-of-a-kind food and drink innovation centre, The Food WorksSW in Weston-super-Mare is set to host a programme of events open to all UK food and drink businesses.

Food & Drink Festival returns, celebrating 30 years of British & Irish Cheese Awards

With the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival coming back to The Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallet on 21–22 March, organisers have announced an exciting programme for 2026.

Powderkeg expands contract brewing operation

Devon brewery Powderkeg expands its contract brewing service, adding new capacity and enhanced services for start-up and established brewers.

New importer brings cashews directly to Britain, without a 20,000 mile detour

A new Bristol-based importer has opened for business this month, working with West African growers to bring their cashews directly to the UK.

Thatchers launch interactive rugby game designed to support hospitality

Thatchers Cider is bringing the thrill of rugby to the heart of pubs with the launch of ‘Perfection in Every Drop Kick’.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan to host first Global Pasty Championships

The Lost Gardens of Heligan will celebrate the finest Cornish pasty bakers in the world when it hosts the first ever Global Pasty Championships on Saturday, 28 February 2026.

Save the date! Gather – Wednesday 10th June 2026!

This summer, something special happened: The inaugural ‘Gather’, a powerful collaboration between Food Drink Devon and the University of Exeter brought a high-energy event to transform the regional food and drink landscape.

A Christmas of kindness: Staff at Crave volunteer to host free community lunch for ELF

This Christmas, the team at Crave Exeter are swapping their own festive lunches for aprons and community spirit, opening the restaurant’s doors on Christmas Day.

Eco cup innovator No More Lids wins Future of Food 2025

No More Lids, the company spearheading a plastic-free future for UK takeaway drinks, has won the top prize at the Future of Food Competition held at Royal Geographic Society in London.

Industry first as food tech firm, Leafe, unveils offer for unlimited food hygiene training certificates

Hospitality operations app, Leafe, has launched an industry-first offer giving customers access to unlimited CPD-accredited food hygiene training and certifications.

79 winners at 16th Devon Tourism Awards

A record 79 trophies were presented at Sandy Park on 27 November, celebrating Devon’s leading tourism and hospitality businesses at the Devon Tourism Awards.

Bays Brewery spreads some festive cheer with return of HO-HO-HOppy charity beer

Family-run Bays Brewery in Paignton is kickstarting the season of goodwill with the return of its festive favourite, ‘Jingle Ale’, once again raising funds for Children’s Hospice South West.

South West publicans urge the government to support the pub industry

Publicans across the South West are calling on the government to take positive action and ease mounting financial pressures on pubs ahead of this week’s Budget.

South West Initiatives

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