The best catering companies in South Devon

Whether you’re looking for an exciting foodie experience for a special occasion, or you simply wish to kick off your family holiday with the ease of keeping out the kitchen, hiring caterers during your stay will add a whole lot of fun without the hassle of cooking yourself. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best catering companies in South Devon, to help make your break that extra special… we apologise in advance for rumbling tums!

Sit back, relax and enjoy reading about some of our favourite local caterers. If you would like further information regarding Covid-19 and how the catering companies are currently operating, be sure to visit the individual business websites. 

The best catering companies in South Devon

• Wild Artichokes
• The Kitchen Table
• Rose Farm hog roasts
• Claire’s Kitchen
• Entertaining Food
• Dartmouth Fine Foods
• Hearty Food, including a special recipe!

Wild Artichokes

Jane Baxter is an esteemed chef and writer based in Kingsbridge, who you may recognise from her appearances on Saturday Kitchen, as well as her collaborations with healthy food chain Leon… and not to mention our South Devon Cookbook! 

In 2005, Jane met event organiser Sam Miller, and after working together for five years at the Riverford Field Kitchen they set up Wild Artichokes. Over the years they have built up an unprecedented reputation for delivering outstanding service and fabulous dishes, whether at their feasting lunches at the restaurant, pop-up events throughout South Devon or during a privately catered event. Sam will help you with the finer details of the event, organising everything so that you don’t have even the slightest of worries, whilst Jane develops and personally creates your meal to the very highest of standards. To find out more about Jane Baxter, click here to read our blog ‘Meet Jane Baxter, renowned South Devon chef‘. 

The Kitchen Table

Based in Totnes, The Kitchen Table is a small catering company with a big presence in the local catering industry. For intimate dinner parties and family feasts with delicious, imaginative options, the Kitchen Table can help to design a bespoke menu for you and your guests. Fantastically supportive of local producers, they often purchase their ingredients directly from local farms and growers to create seasonal dishes with flare. If you have any dietary queries, just let the team know of any allergies and intolerances and they will work with you to create the perfect menu for your party. 

Rose Farm hog roasts

Rose Farm is a family run farm, nestled in the rolling hills of South Devon, near Salcombe. Popular amongst locals for their succulent hog roasts and pulled pork, as well as their more recent addition of mac and cheese, their hearty food options are always admired at local events as well as privately catered parties and weddings. Catering for a range of dietary requirements, this is a fantastic option for a casual dining experience for a large group. Rose Farm Hog Roasts are extremely popular in the local area amongst those getting married, so if you’re looking to tie the knot in South Devon, take a look at these amazing wedding venues in South Devon, that perfectly compliment an indulgent banquet. 

Claire’s Kitchen

Claire’s Kitchen is based between Salcombe and Kingsbridge, bringing fresh local ingredients to the heart of fabulous gatherings, weddings, dinner parties and relaxed celebrations. Living on a farm herself, the majority of the food served from Claire’s Kitchen is grown, picked and prepared (and of course served!) from what she has on the farm. Offering served receptions, buffets, sharing platters, canapés, as well as a spit roast, it’s their barbecue option that really excites us. Named ‘The Barbecue Beast’ this sizzling feast lives up to its name, bringing enthused smokey flavours and aromas to life. This option makes for a fantastic display of how fresh local ingredients, full of mouth-watering flavours, are delicious when cooked simply and allow the quality of fantastic produce to sing and sizzle for itself. The barbecue is served with a selection of hand made salsas, pesto’s, sauces and salads, and can cater for up to 250 guests, but equally, a smaller dinner party too.

Entertaining Food

If it’s healthy nutritional feasts you’re after, then Elaine Day’s Entertaining Food is the perfect choice for your break, bringing fresh food from local farms and fisheries to your fork. With the choice of a short break catering service, be wined and dined and positively spoilt on your visit to South Devon. Take the hassle out of the kitchen and let the team at Entertaining Food shop, cook and clear up, so you can spend every important moment exploring our sandy shores and rolling countryside. From gourmet breakfasts and picnic lunches, to beach barbecues and light bites, as well as fine dining experiences in the comfort of your holiday home, spend your staycation indulging in mouth-watering local produce. If you’re visiting the area for some serious down time, the team can drop off homemade ready made meals and pick up the plates later, so that you can relax as a family or group of friends.

Dartmouth Fine Foods

Creative, delicious and simply sumptuous, Dartmouth Fine Foods catering is a bespoke catering company that has been successfully catering for private dinner parties, weddings and events for over seven years. Dartmouth Fine Foods have developed their offering and have launched a small range of affordable, fresh and frozen, restaurant-quality meals and deli goods. The ‘Friday Feast’ is second to none and boasts a full menu including a starter, main course and dessert, best of all, you can even choose a specific wine to compliment your food! The grazing fish boxes and rump of Devon lamb are also popular options, but if this doesn’t tickle your tastebuds then not to worry, there are plenty of other dining options on offer. Offering a delivery service to Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Salcombe and also the Totnes area, including the smaller neighbouring villages in between such as Dartington, Strete, Blackawton and Torcross to name a few. Be sure to check their website for further information, and details on exact delivery arrangements. 

Coast & Country Cottages customers can enjoy an exclusive 10% discount on orders online over £50 with Dartmouth Fine Foods, use code Coast&Country10 to activate your discount.

Hearty Food

Hearty Food specialises in providing a casual dining experience for groups and families on holiday or celebrating a special occasion. The service is perfect for people who want to relax and dine in the comfort of their own surroundings. Everything is taken care of from shopping, cooking, laying the table to wining, dining and clearing up.  

Private Chef, Val, uses fresh local and seasonal ingredients to create sumptuous sharing feasts for lunch, picnics and dinner. If you love fish and seafood there’s a menu featuring crab cakes and tartare sauce, mackerel with salsa verde and citrus whole baked fish. There’s also some exciting global themed menus such as Greek, Spanish, Middle Eastern and Southern Indian. Alternatively, you can create your own bespoke menu from a wide choice of delectable dishes to suit your tastes. Val is happy to accommodate. 

Hearty Food | Watercress soup with pan-fried scallop & crispy Prosciutto recipe

Ingredients:

For the soup

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 small onions, finely chopped
• 1 celery stick, finley chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, grated
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 medium potatoes (about 400g), peeled and cut into small chunks
• 1.5 litres of veg stock
• 170g watercress

For the scallops

• 1 tbsp rapeseed oil and knob of butter
• 2 pieces Prosciutto
• 4 large or 8 small scallops
• Sea salt & pepper

• Heat a large saucepan over a low-medium heat. Add the oil, onion and celery with a small pinch of salt. Gentlhy sweat for 20 or so minutes, stirring now and then, until really soft, but not coloured. The longer you sweat the veg, the more flavour. Turn the heat down or add a splash of water, if it starts to catch.
• Stir in the garlic and bay leaves. Continue cooking for a few minutes.
• Add in the potatoes, stock and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring up to the boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are really soft.
• Discard the bay leaves then stir in the watercress. Remove from the heat. The watercress should wilt fairly quickly.
  
• Transfer to a blender and blitz until smooth. Put back into the saucepan, taste and adjust the seasoning. Pop a lid on to keep warm while you cook the Prosciutto and scallops.
• Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. When hot, add a drizzle of oil. Add the Prosciutto and fry on both sides for about 1 minute each side, until turning golden and crispy. Remove and lay onto some kitchen paper.
• Pat dry the scallops and season both sides well with sea salt and pepper. When the pan is nice and hot add the oil. Place the scallops in, flat side down. Depending on the size, cook for approx. 1-2 minutes undisturbed. Flip over, add the butter and cook for 1-2 minutes more, basting with the butter.
• Remove the scallops immediately from the pan. They should be springy to touch.
• Serve the soup in bowls with the scallop on top. Scatter the crispy Prosciutto to garnish along with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Enjoy!

Has the thought of sumptuous food got your tum rumbling for more? Read our blog The best seafood restaurants in Devon: South Devon’s finest for foodie experiences not only on land, but on the water too! Or, if the excitement of visiting South Devon has got you craving for freshly baked scones, read our article on how to host an afternoon tea in your holiday home, or if the only finger you want to lift is done so when scoffing scones, then read our guide on where to find the best afternoon tea in Devon.

At Coast & Country Cottages we boast an enviable collection of South Devon self catering holiday cottages that are simply perfect for enjoying a foodie break. From traditional coastal cottages to country escapes, you can dine from home in comfortable surroundings, often with dining areas that boast panoramic sea and river views or rolling countryside. Some of our luxury properties even have a hot tub, providing the ultimate comfort after a big feast!

Book your South Devon self-catering holiday today