'My favourite things...' with Michael Caines MBE

Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines is a big fan of the West Country - so we were keen to ask him about his favourite things to see and do...

Which is your favourite beach? 
Dawlish Warren – it’s a lovely long shore drift and I have many memories of late nights on the beach with friends. I also like the pebble beach at Budleigh Salterton for snorkelling.

Where is your favourite place to go for a day out with the family? 
Camping on Dartmoor - I love the slow pace of everything from setting up camp to cooking and sharing tasks with the kids.

Where is your favourite place to go for a walk? 
The River Teign from Fingle Bridge, in and around the valley – it’s beautiful and close to home!

Any other outdoor activities you enjoy? 

Cross country trail running, walking and sailing.

Where is your favourite place to eat (apart from Gidleigh Park, of course)? 
Dartmoor Inn at Lydford, it’s my ‘local’. I also enjoy Masons Arms in South Molton, Jack in the Green in Rockbeare, Petit Maison in Topsham and the Rusty Bike in Exeter.

What’s your favourite West Country show or event? 
The Exeter Festival of SW Food and Drink and other food festivals such as the Devon County Show, as well as great music festivals like Chagstock.

What are your favourite local ingredients in season at the moment?
There are so many fantastic ingredients around this time of year – like fabulous scallops, line-caught sea bass and ling, as well as venison and foraged mushrooms.

Any other favourite things about the West Country?
It’s where I was born, so it’s home for me. It’s a wonderful combination of landscapes – from the moors to the coast and the hills and pastures. It’s a beautiful place with something for everyone to enjoy!

Thanks, Michael!

Highly acclaimed Michael Caines is Executive Head Chef at multi-award-winning Gidleigh Park and has held two Michelin stars since 1999. Gidleigh Park Hotel (just along the country lane from our office in Chagford) sits in a magnificent 107 acres of Dartmoor National Park. The beautiful and everchanging landscape provides a wonderful backdrop to a range of exciting special breaks and events held throughout the year, such as the Garden Tours, Fungi Forays and New Year's Eve celebrations. From now until 21st December, there's a wonderful lunch offer: a sublime festive menu of 2 courses for £40 or 3 courses for £52 per person. A very special treat.

 

Visit the Helpful Holidays website to see our holiday cottages in Chagford.

 

 

ENTER OUR COMPETITION!

Win a signed copy of the 'Taste of Relais & Châteaux - 36 Inspirational Chefs' cookbook...

Enter our Facebook competition for a chance to win a copy of this beautiful cookbook, signed by Michael Caines and packed with stunning recipes from Michael and 35 other exceptional chefs based at Relais & Châteaux luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants in the UK and Ireland. Great for the coffee table or as a gift for the foodie in your life.

Closing date for entry is Tuesday 11th December 2012.

While you wait to see if you've won, here's Michael's recipe for Mince Pies with Caramelised Walnuts for you to try. Enjoy!

 

It’s all happening in Chagford!

Chagstock

The Fun Lovin’ Criminals and KT Tunstall are on their way to Devon and you can join them!

They are playing the Chagstock Festival – the ‘biggest little festival in the South West’, in aid of Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Water Aid.

The event takes place just outside the pretty Dartmoor town of Chagford – our home town – and originated as a private party for around one hundred people, back in 2003. The two-day festival takes place 20th and 21st July and there are a few tickets left if you want to head along.

Take your pick of Dartmoor cottages available the week of the festival.

Chagford Show

Devon Air Ambulance is also supported by a more traditional Chagford event: Chagford Show. Taking place on 16th August, this is an opportunity to see the area’s farming industry take centre stage. Livestock, produce and equestrian displays make for a grand day out in the Devon countryside.

Take your pick of Dartmoor cottages available the week of the show.

Holiday cottages in Chagford - our home town!

We’re lucky and proud to work in the bustling, friendly town of Chagford. Helpful Holidays has been based here since 1999, and we’ve lots of lovely holiday homes in and around the town for you to enjoy.

Chagford has a vibrant local community, an easy-going way of life and a picturesque setting on the edge of Dartmoor. Around the pretty square and 'pepper pot' market house, the town has more than 25 shops, four pubs, three restaurants and three churches - one of which dates back to the 15th century.

The town also has a fantastically fresh open air swimming pool (open daily from May to September), the largest in Devon. Nearby is the river Teign (good for fishing), which hurries through woods and meadows below Castle Drogo (a grand National Trust property). The whole area offers excellent walking and superb views. If you're around in July, Chagstock is a rather special ‘chill-out’ music festival and if you're around in August, the Chagford Show is a local phenomenon - a great day out for the whole family, showcasing the very best of Chagford and the surrounding area.

On the moorland side of Chagford, almost 1½ miles from the square and high on a hill with the most terrific views towards Meldon Hill and the surrounding moor, is Down Cottage. This recently and carefully refurbished granite cottage is part of a magnificent estate built in 1911 for the Jameson whisky family. The cottage has been renovated with sensitivity and style, with muted tones and beautiful furniture. A highlight is the spacious kitchen, with those fabulous views – perfect for lazy breakfasts. This is a really exceptional moorland cottage, in the most elegant setting. Sleeps 6.

Just 2 miles from Chagford in a very peaceful setting with lovely views is Yelfords Cottage, a superbly renovated, detached cottage with its own enclosed garden, within the 15 acre grounds of the owner’s country house and hidden by a high screen of rhododendrons. From inside the cottage there are plenty of lovely views of Meldon Hill. With open moorland within walking distance, this is a walker's dream - there are many lovely walks straight from the cottage. Sleeps 4. 

Why not take the time to browse our holiday cottages in Chagford - we guarantee you'll be tempted!

.