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| Taste of the West | |
|---|---|
| Name | Taste of the West |
| Type | Regional food and drink association |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Exeter, Devon |
| Region served | South West England |
| Membership | Producers, retailers, hospitality businesses |
Taste of the West is a regional food and drink membership body based in Exeter, Devon, promoting producers and hospitality in South West England. It organizes competitions, festivals, and business development initiatives for companies from Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and the Channel Islands. The organization connects local artisans, fishermen, farmers, and restaurateurs with broader markets across the United Kingdom and international trade shows.
Taste of the West was established in 1997 to champion regional produce from areas including Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire. Early development involved collaboration with institutions such as Exeter University and links to regional development programs influenced by policies in Westminster and initiatives from DEFRA. Over time the association aligned with festivals and trade events like the BBC Good Food Show and networks that include the Food Standards Agency and coastal fisheries portfolios related to Plymouth and Bristol. Its trajectory intersects with broader movements represented by bodies such as the Royal Bath and West Show and agricultural fairs linked to St Ives, Taunton, and Gloucester.
The organization operates as a membership-led body with governance structures that mirror nonprofit boards found in groups like the National Trust and the Co-operative Group. Leadership has engaged with local enterprise partnerships and municipalities including Cornwall Council, Devon County Council, and Somerset Council to deliver training and market access. Advisory links have been maintained with academic partners such as Rothamsted Research and hospitality training at institutions akin to Le Cordon Bleu and regional college partnerships in Plymouth College of Art and City of Bristol College. Funding and governance have been informed by frameworks similar to those used by the Arts Council England and regional development agencies.
Taste of the West runs judged awards and public-facing festivals comparable to the Great British Food Festival and the Royal Cornwall Show. Its awards ceremonies use blind tasting panels resembling methods employed by the Guild of Fine Food for the Great Taste Awards and the judging and adjudication standards seen at the Cheltenham Literature Festival and food categories at the Cheltenham Science Festival. Festivals have taken place in public venues like those used by the Royal Albert Hall for events and in regional marketplaces similar to Bath's artisan fairs. Awards recognize categories across artisan Cheddar cheese producers, craft breweries paralleling entrants to the CAMRA awards, seafood linked to the Newlyn fishing fleet, and bakery products akin to entries at the Yorkshire Pudding Championships.
Members include small-scale farmers, coastal fishermen from ports such as Brixham and Falmouth, artisanal cheesemongers in the tradition of Montgomery Cheddar, microbreweries influenced by trends from Bristol and Bath, and bakeries whose craft recalls producers showcased at the Harrogate Food and Drink Expo. Producers have ranged from cider makers echoing techniques of West Country Cider traditions to chocolatiers and patissiers inspired by confectioners seen at Fortnum & Mason and artisan butchers following standards comparable to those at the British Meat Processors Association. The product portfolio spans seafood, dairy, cured meats, preserves, ales, wines from vineyards in Somerset and Dorset, and ready-to-eat items served in restaurants aligned with culinary trends from establishments comparable to The Fat Duck and L’Enclume.
Taste of the West has been credited with raising profiles for regional producers in markets influenced by retail chains such as Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's, and independent delis found in Notting Hill and Borough Market. It has contributed to tourism draws similar to the impact of the Eden Project and coastal visitor economies seen in Padstow and St Ives. Critics and commentators from publications rivaling The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Times, and regional outlets like the Western Morning News have assessed the association’s role in promoting provenance and supply chain traceability parallel to debates surrounding food miles and sustainable sourcing championed by campaigns associated with Friends of the Earth and WWF. Economic impact studies refer to metrics used by bodies like the Institute of Economic Affairs and regional growth analyses from Local Enterprise Partnerships.
The association has worked with broadcasters and events comparable to the BBC and commercial partnerships resembling collaborations with National Trust catering events and trade partners such as AHDB or retail buyers from Ocado and John Lewis. Media exposure has included features in lifestyle and culinary programmes akin to Saturday Kitchen, regional radio from BBC Radio Devon and BBC Radio Cornwall, and articles in magazines similar to BBC Good Food and Olive (magazine). Strategic partnerships have involved tourism bodies like VisitEngland and local promotional agencies modeled on Visit Cornwall and trade representation at international events akin to the SIAL Paris and Anuga exhibitions.
Category:Food and drink organisations of the United Kingdom