Artisan Bean to Bar Chocolate Easter Eggs from Darts Farm

Darts Farm's in-house chocolatier, Cow & Cacao, handcrafts incredible artisanal treats using cacao beans sourced from small scale growers in the world's best growing regions. 

They are, justifiably, in our opinion, proud to be one of the very few UK producers who take the time and effort to craft chocolate from bean to bar. Here are some of our favourites from their Easter Range.

Cow & Cacao Chocolate Quail Eggs filled with Salted Caramel & Hazelnut Praline £17.99 (available from www.dartsfarm.co.uk) To us this sounds like chocolate heaven in the form of an egg!

A dozen handcrafted egg shaped truffles, crafted with single origin bean-to-bar chocolate and filled with salted caramel and hazelnut praline.

Cow & Cacao Dark Chocolate Single Origin Egg - £14 (available in store from Darts Farm)

Darts Farm's single origin eggs are handmade using their Madagascan bean-to-bar chocolate, which their in-house chocolatiers craft on the farm, using sustainably sourced cacao beans and their 6-stage process.

For further information on Darts Farm and their in-house chocolatier, Cow & Cacao, please visit www.dartsfarm.co.uk and follow Darts Farm on Facebook and Instagram.  

Darts Farm Puts Devon on the Culinary Map With Nominations for Two National Awards

Darts Farm is thrilled to announce they have been shortlisted for two categories in the 2023 Food and Travel Awards. They have been nominated for the Local Hero Award and their new flagship restaurant, The Farm Table, is in the running for the Best Restaurant Outside of London.

Michael Dart, who runs Darts Farm with his brothers, James and Paul, and his son George, comments: “We're absolutely delighted and pleased to be put forward for these awards by Food and Travel Magazine. The nominations list is packed full of world-class chefs and establishments, including many of our food heroes, so we feel truly honoured to be shortlisted alongside them.”

He continues: “We're especially overwhelmed by the Best Restaurant Outside of London nomination. It recognises the huge effort that went into creating The Farm Table and establishing a restaurant that, just a year after it opened, is already considered to be one of the best in the country!

"It's already won The Food Magazine Reader Award and we know from feedback, and the fact we have so many regular diners, that our locals love it. It's fantastic that it's now starting to gain a following beyond the county and hopefully nominations like this will help build up Devon's reputation as a foodie destination.”

George Dart has been instrumental in bringing the original concept of The Farm Table to life. He explains: “Our aim with the launch of The Farm Table was to create a restaurant that would celebrate the simplicity of beautiful ingredients grown, reared, caught and crafted on our doorstep. 

"Produce that can't be sourced from the farm is provided by our vibrant community of like minded artisan producers, farmers and fisherman who all share our passion for flavour. It's so very rewarding to think that, having only recently celebrated its first anniversary, The Farm Table is already generating a reputation for being one of the best restaurants outside of London!”

Food and Travel magazine is the world's leading gastronomic travel title, with an amazing 25 year heritage of writing for those who love foodie adventures, discovering the best ingredients, dishes and flavours and trying new, exciting restaurants. Voting for the awards is open throughout October and anyone voting will be entered into a prize draw to win tickets to the Gala Dinner at the Royal Automobile Club in November, where the winners will be announced. You can cast your votes at www.foodandtravel.com/awards

The Farm Table is open seven days a week for lunch (12-3pm) and for dinner (6-9pm) Thursday to Saturday. The menu includes Darts Farm's iconic Ruby Red beef, dayboat fish and seasonal vegetables, all cooked over charcoal and accompanied by a huge selection of wines, beers, ciders and spirits from the cellar. 

For further information on The Farm Table and Darts Farm please visit www.dartsfarm.co.uk and follow Darts Farm on Facebook and Instagram.  

The Farm Table Restaurant at Darts Farm Celebrates Its First Anniversary With Legendary Chefs

Darts Farm, which is just outside Exeter, celebrated the first anniversary of its new restaurant, The Farm Table, in July by welcoming two iconic chefs to take over the kitchen for the evening. 

Great British Menu winner, Mark Hix and local seafood hero, Mitch Tonks, created a unique 5-course seasonal menu, combining their celebrated styles with produce from the fields at Darts Farm and incredible artisan ingredients from the food hall; whilst sharing their stories about a lifetime of friendship through food.

Hosting two such culinary giants represents a huge accolade for the new Devon restaurant which opened its doors in Summer 2022 and has gone from strength to strength in spite of a period of unprecedented challenges for the industry.

Michael Dart, who runs Darts Farm with his two brothers, James and Paul, said: “It's been a very tough couple of years for hospitality businesses and not the ideal climate for launching a new restaurant, but as we mark the first anniversary of The Farm Table, we are so proud of what we have achieved in the last 12 months. Following hot on the heels of winning Food Magazine's Reader Awards as 'The Best Newcomer', The Farm Table has just hosted two world-renowned chefs who share our passion for championing local and sustainable food. 

"Our team, led by my son George and our Head Chef Tom, has worked incredibly hard to achieve so much in such a short time and having the seal of approval from two of the country's most eminent chefs is a fantastic reward for all their efforts.”

Michael's son, George, has been instrumental in bringing the original concept of The Farm Table to life and creating the new flagship restaurant. He explains: “Our aim with the launch of The Farm Table was to create a restaurant that would celebrate the simplicity of beautiful ingredients grown, reared, caught and crafted on our doorstep. 

"Produce that cannot be sourced from the farm is provided by our vibrant community of like-minded artisan producers, farmers and fisherman who share our passion for flavour. A year ago I couldn't have dreamt of hosting two such prestigious chefs in our kitchen but this event marks the culmination of all our efforts to deliver a world class dining experience that showcases the very best of Devon's produce.”

The Farm Table is open seven days a week for lunch (12-3pm) and for dinner (6-9pm) Thursday to Saturday. The menu includes Darts Farm's iconic Ruby Red beef, dayboat fish and seasonal vegetables, all cooked over charcoal and accompanied by a huge selection of wines, beers, ciders and spirits from the cellar. 

For further information on The Farm Table and Darts Farm please visit www.dartsfarm.co.uk and follow Darts Farm on Facebook and Instagram.  

  

New Event: The Gut Health Revolution With Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Darts Farm

Taste East Devon Food Festival has joined forces with Fearnley-Whittingstall and his River Cottage team, and Darts Farm, to bring an exciting new educational event to the festival's 2023 programme.

 Taking place on Wednesday 13th September, from 10am to 1pm,  Hugh will be hosting The Gut Health Revolution in The Farm Table restaurant at Darts Farm, with a packed morning of in-depth talks and delicious tastings events.

The Gut Health Revolution will feature a series of expert talks followed by an engaging, lively panel discussion with leaders from the field. Joining Hugh for the sessions will be:

Dr Federica Amati PhD, nutrition scientist and communications strategist for personalised health company ZOE. Federica is a frequent podcast and talk guest and a contributing expert to media outlets such as The Times, Vogue, Marie Claire and Grazia. She'll be talking about how to harness the power of our diet and nurture our gut microbiome for better health.

Barny Butterfield of Sandford Orchards, is wellknown for fermenting apples to produce award-winning cider and cider vinegar. Barny will discuss the connections between good farming practices, traditional cider making, and the increasing interest in the potential health benefits of live cider vinegar. 

Rachel de Thample, who is River Cottage's own fermentation and wellness guru whose expertise spans farm-to-fork fermentation, nurturing gut health and seasonal wellness. Rachel will share her extensive knowledge of ferments such as sauerkrauts, kimchis, kombuchas and kefirs, plus gut-friendly tonics, broths and natural remedies and their impact on gut health. 

The event will offer attendees a chance to learn more about gut health and taste a great array of delicious fermented food and drink while engaging directly with leading industry experts. 

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingtall said: “I'm delighted to be hosting this event on behalf of the fantastic Taste East Devon Food Festival and I'm thrilled to be joined by such a talented and knowledgeable group of speakers.”

He went on to say: “Fermentation and gut health is a wonderful area for chefs, artisans and health experts to explore together, with its fascinating intersection of flavour, goodness and well-being. The vital connection between our gut health and our overall wellness, including our mental health, is increasingly recognised, and it is a great time for us all to embrace this connection to ensure we nurture our microbiomes throughout our lives. 

"Here at River Cottage, we collaborate with a range of fermentation producers to craft our own kefir, kombucha, sauerkrauts, yoghurt and cider. We're looking forward to offering tastings of these exceptional products during the event.”

George Dart, from Darts Farm, added: “We're absolutely delighted to be hosting The Gut Health Revolution in The Farm Table. We share the same ethos as Hugh, and the River Cottage team, of celebrating ingredients grown on our land and locally sourced produce. Together, we hope to inspire our community to embrace the art of fermentation and the power of local veg.”

This event is kindly supported by some of Darts Farm's brilliant local suppliers; including Riverford Dairy who are supplying their own utterly delicious organic kefir, crafted with their creamy unhomogenised milk; and Bath Culture House, who craft raw and unpasteurised fermented food and drink in their North Somerset kitchen, with the founder, Lucie, joining to offer tastings of their Somerset-made kimchi and sauerkraut between talks. 

There will also be tastings of the River Cottage Organic range of kombuchas, krauts, kefirs, yoghurts and ciders produced in partnership with organic artisan producers Equinox, The Culture Collective, Hollis Meade, Brown Cow and Newton Court.

Tickets for The Gut Health Revolution are priced at a very reasonable £7.50 per person, which includes tea, coffee, kombucha and tastings. Tickets are available to purchase from Darts Farm via www.tasteeastdevon.co.uk.

Besides this event, Darts Farm will host its first Fermented Feast on 13th September, from 7pm - 10pm, in The Farm Table. This feast will treat guests to a welcome drink upon arrival, followed by a special three course seasonal meal. The menu will showcase ingredients sourced from the farm and other local producers, including fermented foods and meat and vegetables cooked over fire.

Taste East Devon Food Festival, now in its third year, takes place from 9th to 24th September and brings together award-winning venues, producers, chefs, and restaurants from across East Devon to celebrate the region's exceptional food and drink. Founding members include River Cottage, THE PIG-at Combe, Darts Farm, Mazzard Farm, Otter Brewery, Deer Park Country House, East Devon AONB, Donkey Sanctuary, Jack in the Green, and Lympstone Manor. 

The festival is kindly sponsored by key sponsor, Ashfords, as well as NFU Mutual (Tiverton and Honiton Agencies), East Devon District Council, East Devon Excellence, Goosemoor Foodservice and SunGift Solar. 

The 2023 festival introduces an array of exciting new events. On Saturday 9th September, Darts Farm will host the 'City to Sea Taste Trail' from 10am to 4pm, offering a special foodie bike trail along the stunning Exe Estuary bike trail, with exclusive tastings and discounts at participating businesses. Also on the same day, Coldharbour Farm Shop and Field Kitchen will host a Taste East Devon inspired Pop-up Farmers Market, showcasing the finest produce from the Devon farming community, including food preserves, baked goods, ales and ciders, with a demo from talented chef, Oli Smith, and delicious food from their Field Kitchen. 

On Saturday 16th September, beekeepers, gardeners and nature enthusiasts are invited to 'A Taste of Honey' at Blackberry Honey Farm. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the honey room at the heart of the farm, guided by one of their passionate beekeepers. The experience will include a tasting, a honey cream tea and a tour of the enchanting pollinator gardens. 

The festival will conclude with the Heron Farm's Party in the Vineyard on Sunday 24th September, from 12pm - 5pm. Behind the walls of the stunning walled gardens, guests will enjoy a family-friendly party afternoon, complete with an outdoor feast, live music on the terrace and children's games and entertainment. 

For the full list of events, downloadable map and leaflet or additional information, please visit www.tasteeastdevon.co.uk. Stay connected with the festival by following @tasteeastdevon on Instagram and Facebook and @TasteEastDevon_ on Twitter.

Enjoy Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week With Darts Farm's Cream Tea Hamper Darts Farm

The South West is the home to our nation's best cream teas. So Darts Farm's Cream Tea Hamper, which is packed with West Country delights, so is absolutely perfect for celebrating Afternoon Tea Week (7th-13th August) in style. 

Cream Tea Hamper (starting at £29 from www.dartsfarm.co.uk)

This hamper has everything that you'll require to create a delicious Devonshire cream tea. You really can't beat a freshly baked Ryder's Bakery scone, especially when it is topped with a dollop of Rodda's clotted cream and Waterhouse Fayre strawberry jam alongside a freshly brewed cup of tea. 

They've also included two bottles of Luscombe's refreshing Sicilian Lemonade. There's only one question, cream or jam first? For an extra special treat, why not add a G&T or bottle of Devon sparkling fizz from Darts Farm's own Pebblebed Vineyards?

The contents are:-

Ryder's Bakery Scones x 4

A family run business, Ryder's have been hand-crafting their amazing baked goods in Devon for almost 50 years. Shaun & his son Sam use only traditional methods to hand-bake their classic Devonshire scones. 

Waterhouse Fayre Strawberry Jam

Ann and Neil Stallard began making their award-winning jams and preserves here in Devon with open preserve pans in small batches, to ensure maximum flavour and top quality!

Luscombe Sicilian Lemonade 27cl x 2

Based in South Devon, Gabriel David and his family have been crafting these delicious organic drinks for 45 years. By sourcing ingredients only from growers they know and trust they can guarantee that only the best goes into their bottles. This tangy, traditional lemonade is wonderfully refreshing. 

Rodda's Clotted Cream 200g 

When it comes to clotted cream, you simply cannot beat Rodda's. A family business with over 120 years of expertise, their rich and delicious cream is made using local Cornish milk and their traditional cooking method which gives it the perfect golden crust!

Brew Tea Bags (15)

Only hand-picked, rolled, whole-leaf tea goes into every batch of Brew Tea, which gives the amazing flavour.

Cream Tea hampers are available to buy in store and from www.dartsfarm.co.uk for nationwide delivery. Cream teas can also be enjoyed in Darts Farm's restaurant and Cow & Cacao Café!

By the way, at times hamper contents may vary due to stock availability, but items will be replaced with products of the same or higher value and quality.

For further information on Darts Farm please visit www.dartsfarm.co.uk and follow Darts Farm on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  

Celebrate World Chocolate Day With Darts Farm's Cow & Cacao

Darts Farm's artisan chocolatier, Cow & Cacao, has everything you could possibly require to celebrate World Chocolate Day on 7th July. 

They are justifiably proud to be one of the few UK producers to craft chocolate from bean to bar and their handcrafted treats are available to buy in their Devon-based store and online for nationwide delivery from www.dartsfarm.co.uk.

Darts Farm believes in chocolate that's not only environmentally but also economically sustainable, from forest to food hall. Their priority is sourcing incredible cacao from smaller scale growers in rare origins around the world to use with milk from their own local dairy and other ingredients from their own farm.

In small batches, their chocolatiers, Louise & Molly, carefully roast the beans, before cracking the shell to release the nib. They then grind the nibs in a granite mixer, the 'conche', for up to fifty-five hours before ageing the chocolate in 5kg bricks for up to three weeks. Finally, they melt it down to create bars, truffles and incredible handcrafted artisanal chocolate treats.

When visiting the farm shop, you'll be able to see the whole chocolate making process taking place with Darts Farm priding themselves on educating their customers on single origin cacao and bean-to-bar chocolate. They even run regular chocolate making masterclasses, too!

For a taste of their amazing chocolate at home, indulge in their Chocolate Lover's Hamper (£29). It contains a selection of their Cow & Cacao bean-to-bar chocolate; from handcrafted truffles and a Single Origin Chocolate Bar to Chocolate Dipped Oranges. For real chocoholics try their Ultimate Chocolate Lover's Hamper  (£49) which boasts even more of their fabulous artisan treats including a White Chocolate & Strawberry Broken Slab.

For more information on Cow & Cacao visit the website

For further information on Darts Farm please visit www.dartsfarm.co.uk and follow Darts Farm on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.