Axminster’s first Gate to Plate festival set to take place in October

Axminster's first Gate to Plate festival is being planned for October 7 2023. 

Axminster Gate to Plate is being designed to celebrate all the fantastic food and craft on our doorstep here in East Devon and will take place on Silver Street, Church Street and around the Minster, funded by East Devon District Council.

The event is being delivered by the award-winning eat:Festivals, which aims to highlight the best of the district's outstanding food and drink producers, as well as traditional crafts people, by creating an open-air event where people can enjoy delicious locally produced food and drink of East Devon.

Councillor Matt Hall, East Devon District Council's portfolio holder for Economy, said: "We are delighted to support Axminster's first Gate to Plate event, in celebration of the area's finest food, drink and crafts. I encourage residents and visitors to go along and support our amazing, local businesses.

"You will be able to sample a wide variety of the delicious wares on offer - there will be something for everyone.

"Now more than ever, it's really important to buy from our amazing local growers and producers. Buying locally is good for local firms, protects jobs, and is good for the environment because less food miles are needed to transport the goods."

Event co-organiser Sarah Milner Simonds commented: "Markets are part of the fabric of towns and cities across the UK. We know our events generate environmental and economic benefits by supporting family producers and farmers.

"We need to help their micro and small businesses stay afloat during these turbulent times, for the sake of the local economic wellbeing and long-term visions of vibrant town centres. 

"It is great to be working with the local chamber of commerce and the Minster. The Minster are planning a community Harvest Festival on the Sunday after the food festival." 

Beverley Milner Simonds, co-organiser, added: "There will be over 60 local producers including farmers market favourites such as local ales, ciders and wine, bread cakes and pies plus street food, spirits and charcuterie, plus music and street entertainers.

"Many thanks to East Devon District Council for their support of this event"

 The Reverend Clive Sedgewick, of the Minster Church in Axminster, commented: "The Minster Church in Axminster welcomes the opportunity to share in and contribute to the exciting Gate to Plate events planned for the weekend of October 7 and 8.  

"The Minster and the Church Green will be a great venue to celebrate food and fellowship in the heart of the town."

Diversions on the day will be in place in the town from 7am to 7pm and the event runs from 10am to 4pm and is free to attend.

 Businesses interested in trading at the festival should contact eat:Festivals via [email protected] or www.eatfestivals.org/apply