All independent coffee shops, cafes, bakeries and tearooms based in Devon are invited to take part in a competition to find the best scone in Devon, and benefit BBC Radio Devon's Give a Gift Appeal. There will be five regional heats before judges from BBC Radio Devon decide the overall champion of champions in June of Scone Off 2013.

Crowds flocked to the first TorqEat, Torquay’s new free food fair. It  was a fantastic success, exceeding all expectations with Torbay Town Management Company estimating a tremendous 5,000 visitors.  The sun came out and the crowds soaked up the atmosphere of the food fair on the  lovely Harbourside and Cary Gardens as they enjoyed some of the South West’s finest food and drink producers, a packed programme of cookery demonstrations, live music and a whole range of entertainment.

 

Nicholas St Peter, Senior Sous Chef at the Highcliff Grill restaurant at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel has been awarded the title of 'Europe's Marriott Rising Star of the Year'!

Award-winning South African chef, Bruce Cole, joined the team at the Moorland Garden Hotel as Head Chef this month, completing the top line up at the newly revamped hotel. The appointment comes at the culmination of an extensive refurbishment process for the hotel, bought by Brian and Sonia Meaden in July 2011. Bruce will oversee a team of 6 in creating a traditional British menu with a modern twist at the elegant Wildflower Restaurant.

Elaine Ead, a partner at The Chough Bakery in Padstow, has been elected new chairwoman of the Cornish Pasty Association following the association's AGM. The original aim of the organisation was to achieve EU protected-name status for the Cornish pasty, which happened in 2011. Now, it ensures the production standards are upheld and helps retailers to find Cornish pasty suppliers.