FOOD lovers looking for a real taste of the West Country will be able to tuck in at the Devon County Show, which will be held at Westpoint, near Exeter, from May 17 to 19.

Sumptuous local dishes and delicious beverages from all corners of the region will be available to tantalise the taste buds at the huge county celebration.

"Here at the Show we can truly say that good food is for all," said Show Secretary Ollie Allen. "It's not the preserve of our top chefs, but is available to be eaten and enjoyed by everyone."

New this year is a Taste of the West food court serving snacks and light meals for visitors to enjoy while they are at the Show.

Show organisers require all public catering contractors to source as much of their produce as possible locally.

In the popular food and drink marquee Show steward Celia Hyland and her team will be serving up plenty of cookery demonstrations using local ingredients.

This year the theme is simplicity. Celia said: "Simple food can be healthy and interesting to eat and very enjoyable. In these difficult times it's great to use cheaper cuts of meat which, with only a little bit of know-how, can be turned into a wonderful dish."

Each day there is a rolling programme of guest chefs with the gastro pub Jack in the Green providing demonstrations for Thursday, and Brend Hotels, with their executive chef Dez Turland, taking the stage on Friday. It's the turn of the Young Farmers on Saturday when they have a cook-off and take part in live butter and junket making competitions.

Inside the marquee visitors are invited "to taste and try before you buy" and because there is such a great selection of local producers all in the one place it makes shopping local and seasonal a real pleasure.

There will be local meat, vegetables, honey, cheeses and dairy products as well as puddings and pies, teas and cordials and preserves and ice-creams, to name but a few.

Elsewhere on the showground, Darts Farm Teepees are showcasing local food and drink through a series of workshops, demonstrations and tastings with some of the finest artisan producers, chefs and culinary experts.

Over the three days there will be cookery demonstrations headed by celebrity chef Michael Caines MBE and a special appearance from BBC Countryfile's Adam Henson.

Children can get involved in workshops, pizza making, cupcake decorating, sensory perception challenges and have the opportunity to become a Mini Darts Farmer, where children can start their own mini vegetable patch to take home.

Elsewhere on the showground the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will perform their popular musical ride twice a day and will be available meet visitors between performances.

The three days are a packed celebration of the great British countryside and a terrific day out, too.

There will be magnificent livestock, inspiring flower and garden displays, marvellous crafts, a huge country life area, trade stands offering a wealth of goods, and lots of traditional entertainment in six arenas.

Up to three children (5-15) are admitted free with each paying adult on Saturday.

For more information ring 01392 353700, email [email protected]">[email protected] or visit the website: http://www.devoncountyshow.co.uk">www.devoncountyshow.co.uk .

Creating a buzz at the Show

THE greatest concentration of livestock at this year's Devon County Show will be found not in the cattle lines, nor housed in the greatest number ever of sheep pens, but in the bees and honey marquee.

For Devon beekeepers are intent on challenging for the Gold Award for Best Showground Feature, which they won last year, by making sure their popular feature is buzzing.

Ruth Neal, Chairman of Devon Beekeepers' County Show Committee, said they will bring at least three hives to the County Show, which contain about 50,000 bees per hive.

"But visitors shouldn't be at all alarmed!" said Ruth. "Two of our observation hives will be behind glass and the outdoor demonstration area is screened by special, protective netting."

Honeybees, which are classified as agricultural animals under European law, are fighting for survival against a number of predators and pesticides. 

Ruth added: "Not everyone is able to or wants to keep bees themselves, but everyone can do something to help bees, and in turn help the environment.   For example, gardeners can plant bee-friendly plants and go easy on any pesticides."

Devon is the second largest beekeeping association in the country with 1,000 members, who are eligible to compete in 42 classes spanning many aspects of the craft.