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Although we hail from the South East, we have based our businesses and families here in Devon. We first came to the region in the mid-90s and loved it so much that it was our first choice when we came to look for a site for our own restaurant. We opened Tanners in 1999 in the historic Prysten House in Plymouth, followed by Barbican Kitchen – also in a historic building – a few years later. We have just launched Kitchen Café in the Plymouth Gin Distillery beneath Barbican Kitchen.

So why Devon? Aside from the natural beauty of the area – the rugged coast with its stunning sandy beaches, vast moorland and rolling countryside – the appeal of this part of the West Country, for a chef, is that the fullest, most exciting selection of produce imaginable is available at your fingertips. Devon’s yield is unrivalled: fine meat, including the delicious Red Ruby beef, fish and shellfish, organic fruit and vegetables, cheese and even natural spring water. There are breweries keeping age-old methods of production alive, orchards that make their own cider and apple juice, and even vineyards, which thrive in Devon’s mild climate.

Details of the wide range of restaurants making use of this selection of produce can be found in this guide. Covering everything from independent cafés through to casual brasseries and fine-dining establishments, like our own Tanners Restaurant, the Devon Food & Drink Guide provides inspiration for all types of eating-out occasions.

For our two restaurants, we always buy and ‘menu’ local food. We utilise fish from local day boats, which make it from the water to our kitchens in a matter of hours; and our meat stems from small artisan producers. For our TV work (Lorraine and Saturday Kitchen) we regularly travel to London, and take the opportunity to experience what’s going on in the capital’s kitchens, bringing techniques and ideas back to Plymouth to use with the great ingredients here. We’ll be demonstrating a few tricks of the trade at both the Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink and Plymouth’s Flavour Fest this year.

Devon has one of the best natural larders in Great Britain, thanks to the hard work of its dedicated producers – we are delighted to showcase their wares in our establishments. We hope you enjoy exploring Devon and all of its fantastic eateries.