Each Autumn in the picturesque town of Dartmouth in South Devon, a food festival springs to life on the bank of the River Dart.
Visitors enjoy a relaxing 3-day weekend sampling food and drink from local suppliers such as Salcombe Gin, just 40 minutes down the road, and Plymouth-based Roly’s fudge.
To get to the popular festival there is a park and ride as you come into town but it’s advisable to get there early to ensure you get a spot.
Once you arrive on the river-front, you can peruse the hot food stands next to the park which offer a range of options from pizzas and kebabs to currys.
This year there was a rather fabulous fire-roasted aubergine kebab on offer from Bristol-based food truck Murray May. A delightfully colourful dish packed with bold flavours including smoky aubergine, a tangy muhammara red pepper dip, crunchy pomegranate seeds and a sprinkling of aromatic dukkah. Delicious!
Sri Lankan inspired Hippy Happy Hoppers offered up a stuffed potato roti, packed to rafters with a spicy filling so flavoursome it’ll knock your socks off!
With the leaves crunching beneath your feet, head to the park for a moment of quiet and enjoy your lunch under the warmth of the Autumn sun.
After lunch it’s time to explore the food tents, which line the waterfront like beach huts overlooking rolling sand dunes. Inside the tents you’ll find sparkling gin cocktails, local ales and all manner of goodies to take home from chutneys and jams to sweet treats.
If you have a love for all things sweet, be sure to keep an eye out for Roly’s who have vegan fudge on offer in two flavours – Salted Maple Pecan and Maple Cashew. Roly’s vegan fudge is a fantastic creation that mimics their traditional recipe, with that buttery, rich flavour and crumbly texture – a must try!
Down the main street is the ‘Old Market’ which hosts live music and yet more stalls for sweet treats such as silky smooth raw chocolate from Food Of The Gods, vegan marshmallows and cupcakes.
Before you head home for the day, be sure to take a wander through the beautiful town itself, it’s packed with wonderful shops – don’t miss the Simon Drew gallery for a few laughs and more than likely an impromptu gift.
*** Recipe re-creations ***
Smoky, Fire Roasted Aubergine Kebabs served with a middle-eastern inspired feast of cumin spiced flatbreads, spicy chickpea salad, aromatic dukkah and a drizzle of creamy tahini dressing. Served on a bed of salad leaves and sprinkled with glistening jewels of pomegranate.
Syrian roasted red-pepper Muhammara Dip with its deep, warming flavours of creamy walnuts, tangy red peppers, sweet pomegranate and a hint of spice. A dip that is so good its BETTER THAN HOUMOUS.
You can find out more about the Dartmouth Food Festival at there website here.
A Vegan Visit to Dartmouth Food Festival – The Vlog:
Hi, I’m Tara! I’m taking you on a trip around the world in vegan cuisine and bringing the world’s most delicious dishes to your kitchen.
