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Devon Seasonal Recipes, Devon and Westcountry Produce
Try your hand at some delicious Devon inspired recipes, developed Head Chef of Cafe Paradiso, Hotel Barcelona.
Local chef, Chris Archambault has developed a number of regional and seasonal recipes showcasing Devon and West Country produce.
Chris is known around Exeter as a champion of local and seasonal produce. He is passionate about sourcing the best the West Country has to offer stems from deep concerns about quality, freshness and the environment.
Born into a French Canadian family where the days' troubles were solved or intensified over great food well prepared, he left home after a stint at university for a three-month tour of Europe that extended to six years! Achieving his first head chef's position in Ireland at the age of 24, Chris fine-tuned his culinary skills and business acumen in London working for Caprice Holdings (Daphne's, J.Sheekey's, The Ivy).
Chris arrived in Devon early in March 2005 to settle closer to his Cornish wife's family and to get nearer to the 'source' of his ingredients. He is Head Chef at the Hotel Barcelona, a chic, award winning boutique hotel that was launched in 2001.
Chris sums up his style as simple with a personal touch. 'There isn't much new under the sun, so you've got to find little ways of making dishes yours. Straight-forward presentation, primary colours, no more than three or four flavours on a plate and never intimidate the diner.'
The recipes below are from simple-to-prepare, tasty snacks to more elaborate special occasion meal ideas.
 | Endive Salad |
|---|---|
 | Wild Boar |
Food and agriculture is an essential part of Devon's economy, landscape and culture. We aim to support the local production and consumption of food in Devon because it is more sustainable in terms of the environment, economy and community.
Buying Devon's local food benefits the whole county...
Economically - greater employment opportunities for local people and the retention of more money in the area
Socially - improved diets as local food is often more nutritious, increased opportunities for the community to be involved in food production, the revitalisation of services such as village shops and also a better understanding of the links between health, food and the environment.
Environmentally - reduction in 'food miles' (how far food has traveled from production to plate) the encouragement of more sustainable farming practices and the preservation of locally distinctive landscapes and traditional skills and culture.
How can you help the local food economy?
- Look out for products that are local and in season
- Join a local box scheme and use local retailers, farm shops and farmers markets for your weekly food shopping
- Ask if your butcher, greengrocer, delicatessen source their products from local producers
- On holiday, or whenever you visit the countryside, look for local produce to buy
- Ask if your pub lunch or restaurant meal includes fresh or seasonal local ingredients
- Pick up a local food directory from your library or Tourist Information Centre
- Ask your supermarket to stock more identifiable local products
