As the marquees come down after this year's Dartmouth Food Festival, it is time to reflect on what a fantastic weekend and huge success it has been.  With over 20,000 visitors flocking to the stunning maritime town and a vast amount of delicious food and wine consumed, it has been a weekend which will not be forgotten in a hurry.  This year a special thank you goes to David Jones and his wife Holly from Manna from Devon Cooking School.  This is David's last year as festival director having held the position for seven years and they have certainly gone out with a bang!

Commenting on the triumph of the festival, David Jones, festival director says: “This has been the best food festival yet, there has been a brilliant vibe in Dartmouth from start to finish.  Thank you to all the sponsors including festival sponsor, Favis of Salcombe, the producers, chefs and wine experts and everyone else involved.”  David continues: “Both Holly and I have thoroughly enjoyed being so involved over the last seven years and we are immensely proud of how far the festival has come in that time.”

Throughout the three days more people than ever before attended the free Eat Your Words sessions with highlights including Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of Leon, in conversation with BBC1's 'Saturday Kitchen' regular wine expert, Susy Atkins and 'The Saturday Supplement' which saw Allan Jenkins, editor of Observer Food Monthly, the Sunday Telegraph's award-winning food writer Diana Henry and Lucy Siegle from BBC's 'The One Show' discuss an exciting range of varied topics.  The Glazebrook House Hotel's executive head chef and former MasterChef The Professionals quarter finalist, Ben Palmer drew in large crowds for his cookery demonstration, as did James Ramsden and Diana Henry. Record numbers got hands-on during cookery workshops in the Royal Avenue Gardens and wine seminars were enjoyed by all in their new venue, Browns Hotel.  Many exhibitors sold out with popular producers including Southwestern Distillery, The Blueberry Brothers,Tideford Organics, Sharpham Wine & Cheese, Luscombe Drinks, DAPPA from Devon Distillery, Portlebay Popcorn and Favis of Salcombe whose 1.5 tonnes of crab were devoured.

Totnes MP, Dr Sarah Wollaston, who launched Eat Your Words with David on Friday, comments on David and Holly's tireless enthusiasm: “David and Holly are such an inspirational couple, they have done so much over the last seven years helping to make Dartmouth become nationally recognised. They are the pride of Dartmouth.”

Dartmouth's Mayor, Robert Lyon adds: “I think everything done in Dartmouth is always wonderful.  Dartmouth Food Festival helps bring people to the town, which is great.  Having known David for quite a long time I know how hard he's worked to make the festival the great success it is and I understand how much work goes into organising an event such as this.”  Robert continues: “I'd like to personally thank David and his wife Holly for all their hard work.”

Sponsors of this year's festival included festival sponsor Favis of Salcombe; Mercedes-Benz South West; Ribeye; Manna from Devon Cooking School; The Seahorse Restaurant; Café Alf Resco; Coast & Country Cottages; The Royal Castle Hotel; Dart Marina Hotel; Original Image Photography; Love Dartmouth; Browns Hotel; Corinium Care; Inspirations at RGC; Southwestern Distillery; Dartmouth Holiday Homes; Nonsuch House; Emilia Ltd; Villa Sandi; Dartmouth Fine Foods; RAW PR and Marketing and Bowater Communications.  Dartmouth's By The Dart and West Country FOODLOVER magazine are the official media partners.

For further information, including photos taken during the weekend (Original Image Photography), look on www.dartmouthfoodfestival.com, 'like' the Dartmouth Food Festival on Facebook and follow @DartFoodFest on Twitter.

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For further information, photography (by Original Image Photography) or an interview with festival director David Jones, please contact:

Hayley Reynolds at RAW PR and Marketing - hayley@rawprandmarketing.co.uk;

Tel: 01548 550 429 / 07887 474 104