You can now read your favourite local food magazines online

Chef Amy Hunt owns and cooks at Oak and Glass, one of Weston-super-Mare’s finest restaurants. She tells Ismay Atkins about the changing face of the seaside town, and the highs and lows of life as a chef.

There are 200 foodie events taking place this October in Cornwall, Devon, Bath, Bristol and Somerset, making Celebration of Food the biggest festival of its kind in the UK.

Crab is one of Britain’s most enduring shellfish favourites, and it just gets better from now until autumn. Seize the moment and tuck into food’s potted guide to buying it, cooking it, and what to drink with it.

Add a little local flavour to your barbies and picnics this summer with these south West-sourced drinks.

If spankingly-fresh raw fish and vinegared rice is your idea of heaven, you may bemoan the South West as a place to feed your habit, but there’s some fine stuff out there if you cast your net wide.

Celebrated Bristol chef Chris Wicks’ new eatery, Three Coqs Brasserie in Clifton, is a departure from the fine dining for which he’s known at Bell’s Diner and Berwick Lodge. This new venture has him overseeing an exciting new menu and biodynamic wine list, and partnering up with chefs David Daly and Jonathon Mackeson. Chris spoke to Jo Rees.

Helena Murch is kicking back and watching the pumpkins ripen to perfection.

In the height of summer head outside for fabulous food, eaten alfresco. Stef Fox Adcock has scoured the area for old faves and new finds for pleasure-seeking foodies.

Foodies plan their day-trips around a good feed, says Stef Fox Adcock, who's rustled up some summer expeditions to whet your appetite.

The man behind The Rummer’s new fine dining menu, head chef Greg McHugh, is aiming to match his food to the suave style of Bristol’s classy lounge-bar. It’s all about perfect presentation, great suppliers and cocktail desserts, he tells
Ismay Atkins.

Forget Easter - it’s in summer that spring-born local lamb has matured to fine eating. Enjoy the succulent meat in these seasonal recipes.

Bristol's bustling Gloucester Road may not have the swank-factor of Clifton Village, but it's got some foodie gems worth discovering, says Stef Fox Adcock.

Free-standing kitchens

Fanatical about fish and local food, Clive’s the owner of Tracey Mill Trout Farm in Honiton, and one of the driving forces behind Taunton farmers’ market. Catriona Roberts donned her waders to chat with him at the farm.

Previous generations of Brits were dab-hands at turning cheap cuts into delicious dishes, and it’s a way of cooking that’s back with a vengeance. Grab a fork and dig in to some British faves.

When only soup will do, rustle up Jane Lawson’s recipes, drawn from the snow-clad regions of northern, central and eastern Europe.

The Bath institution that is the Hole in the Wall first opened its doors in 1952, and was at the forefront of the early British foodie revolution. Nowadays it’s in the capable hands of wine merchant Guy Adams, who has updated the restaurant, whilst keeping the character for which it’s loved, says Melissa Blease.

If you are planning a wedding in Bristol, Bath or Somerset this year, make sure it's a gastro-wedding to remember, says (newlywed) Stef Fox Adcock.

There will be lots of occasions over the coming weeks when a perfectly cooked roast will be in order; here are some top tips to get you rockin’ and roastin’.

Try Mark Lane’s festive wine quiz out on the troops after Christmas lunch - much more fun than another game of Triv.

Plus, make a fabulous 'hedgerow sling'.

Look beyond the supermarket and high street for your foodie Christmas shopping this year. Here are some of our fave ideas in Bristol, Bath and Somerset.

Celebrate the season with these lovely festive drinks from Louise Pickford and Ben Reed. Photographs by William Lingwood.

Acclaimed Bristol chef David Wheadon is a rock in the stormy seas of ever-opening and closing restaurants. He brought the bring-your-own concept to town with his restaurant The Muset in 1987, and 20 years on, the Clifton bistro is as popular as ever. David talks to Melissa Blease about history, longevity, and the original celebrity chef.

Make the most of the catch of the season by learning a new skill. Round fish have a backbone along their upper bodies, with a fillet on each side, and include salmon, cod, bass, trout, snapper, hake, haddock and whiting. Any round fish can be filleted and this suits those who don’t like having to deal with bones (or heads and tails).

Showing us how to live a culinary ‘champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget’ is Allegra McEvedy’s aim in the BBC 2 series Economy Gastronomy. As co-founder of Leon, the healthy fast food restaurants, resident chef-writer for the Guardian, award-winning cookery author and regular Radio 4 Food Programme contributor, if anyone can give us a few tips, Allegra can. Words by Ismay Atkins.

Here are some great places to dine out al fresco in Somerset, Bath and Bristol, plus a list of some delis who will make a picnic up for you.

Rescue the kids from the school holiday doldrums and get stuck into some food-based fun near you, says Melissa Blease.

Eating al fresco is one of the joys of summer, so ditch the egg mayo sarnies for this simple but delicious picnic lunch. Add good vino and a green salad and you’re set.

Bristol’s culinary star is blasting off big-time, with Ronnie’s in Thornbury winning the Good Food Guide's Restaurant of the Year award just a few months after the city got its first Michelin-starred restaurant in years. Jo Rees talked to owner and chef Ronnie about the award, curried crabs, and eating a whole pineapple for lunch.

Simple but delicious, homemade pasta is perfect for a laid-back midsummer supper; with some help from the experts you'll be making it perfectly in no time.

There are lots of beautiful kitchen gardens that you can visit this summer, many of them attached to lovely restaurants. Here’s our pick of the crop in the South West.

Whether you’re making crabcakes or just sharing with friends, there are few things sweeter or more satisfying than fresh crab meat, picked yourself.

Reap the rewards of your home-grown produce with these lovely recipes by Sarah Raven.

Andy Fussell crushes rapeseed to create an oil for cooking. Nothing especially new there you might think, but by bringing the idea of terroir into the mix, he's looking to make a specifically local oil which he hopes will rival the olive oils that currently reign supreme. Jo Rees found out more.

Good quality chicken costs more than an intensively-reared bird, but buying a whole, free-range local chicken is excellent value when you joint it yourself.

From a classic afternoon tea at a smart hotel to fluffy scones at a countryside tea-room, here are our favourite finds.

Rustle up your own afternoon tea with these recipes for a classic victoria sponge, shortbread and scones. What a treat.

There’s a wide range of local courses available that run from baking bread to creating chocs - and it doesn’t matter how confident you are in the kitchen, there’s something for everyone. Words by Catriona Roberts and Stef Fox.

Peter and Jonray Sanchez-Iglesias have just been awarded their first Michelin star at just 23 and 25 respectively, at the family restaurant Casamia in Westbury on Trym. It was one of the few new stars to be awarded in the South West this year and put Casamia top of the local foodies' wish list. Jo Rees talked to Jonray.

Your kitchen should be a sanctuary, but if it's not working well, the new year’s the perfect time for a makeover. From a full overhaul to a bit of reorganisation, we've eight ideas to get your kitchen cookin’.

Our top shops for local veg in the Somerset, Bath and Bristol area.

Good veggie dishes make the most of what's in season throughout the year. We've picked some winter warmers from Bath's famous vegetarian restaurant Demuths.

Chill out with a rejuvenating weekend away at one of the region's foodie hotels that offer more than great cuisine. Here are our top tips on where to go for a winter spa break that'll feed both your body and soul.

James Parkinson is executive chef of von Essen hotels, the collection of 28 top-end hotels that includes Ston Easton Park, The Mount Somerset and The Royal Crescent in Bath. From managing the food at Dawn French’s three-day birthday party, to sourcing kitchen equipment, he says,“It's an interesting role and two days are never the same.”

We all love chocolate, but how does the discerning foodie identify the good stuff? asks Jo Rees.

The best recipes are often the ones that get passed on between friends and family, so we asked some of our foodie chums from the South West for their top tips for Christmas culinary success.

If you're entertaining over Christmas, wow your guests with a festive dessert by one of our favourite foodies, Annie Bell.

Andrew Dixon is head chef and proprietor of Andrew’s on the Weir - the much-loved restaurant with rooms on the north Somerset coast, overlooking Porlock Bay. Andrew and his wife Sarah are passionate about local, seasonal food served in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, a combination which has earned the restaurant three AA Rosettes for seven years running.

It's the hour of the cocktail; today's drinks are fresh, seasonal and made by professionals - with no Del Boy umbrellas in sight. Plus recipes, and the best places to buy cocktails in the Somerset, Bristol and Bath area.

Ay Caramba! The world has gone mad for Las Iguana's South American food.
The restaurant chain, which started in St Nick's, has spread to Bristol harbourside, Bath's Seven Dials and 16 other locations around the country. But unusually, the company has stayed independent and the food remains freshly cooked to order. Jo Rees met the man behind the manioc: executive chef Alan Craine.

Artisan bacon is the essential item in any great breakfast, so grab your bottle of ketchup and read on for our scrummy bacon recipes, places to buy good bacon and where to go to satisfy the Sunday morning munchies.

We cornered the region's top chefs and gave them a Chinese burn until they told us where they like to eat out and shop for food on their days off. Of course they spilled the beans...

Try our fabulous fishy things to do this summer...

Fruity, refreshing, and Somerset through and through, there's little that can beat a glass of the cool appley stuff on a hot summer's day. So get on, drink up thy zider, urges Stef Fox.

Iain Keith-Smith started Chandos Deli because he loves good food and wine, and he's spreading that love across the South West with seven brilliant shops selling the very best cheeses, fish, breads and more to the people. He talks to Jo Rees about the pleasure of food and the perfect peach.

Seafood is fab food - light, healthy and quick to cook, so you don’t spend hours in the kitchen during the precious summer evenings.

Treat yourself to a gourmet weekend break, but don't waste half of it travelling; we've come up with some great ideas near you.

The ultimate in seasonal eating, get out and forage for food for free, says The Scrumper.

Artisan bread, made properly and with a crust you can get your teeth into, is on the rise once again, says Stef Fox.

Chill out at home with these easy to whip up ice creams. Recipes by Annie Bell.

Alistair Mead, 30, runs Puxton Park, Somerset’s huge farm shop and all round foodie day out.
He grew up in a family of beef and dairy farmers, and is a classic next generation farmer who is diversifying the business. “We’re here to support the local economy and provide an alternative for the customer,” he says.

Wake up and smell it; follow our guide to great-tasting coffee and you’ll never again settle for burnt offerings, says Stef Fox.

'Old school' butchers aren’t easy to find nowadays, but Gerald David is flying the flag for traditional techniques, cuts and quality at his stores across the South West. “Don’t be scared of trying something new,” he says. “It’s only a joint of meat you’re buying – not a house.”

Rustle up some easy Asian fusion dishes at home - from a quick chicken satay to a noodle broth.

From cheese to chicken, prawns to pork, Somerset, Bath and Bristol produce some fantastic smoked food. Stef Fox presents the puff on how it's done.

Cosy up with British comfort food, made with the best local beef. Here are the faves; steak and chips, faggots, steak and kidney pud and roast beef.

Tea taster Paul Marsh works for DJ Miles Tea and Coffee, the Porlock firm that dates back to 1888. Together with fellow tasters, John Hall and Derek Miles, he taste-tests tea every day to ensure the quality stays high. Lara Glasspool sat down with him for a chat over a cuppa.

Banned by the Puritans for being sinfully rich but loved by King George I, the Christmas pudding is steeped in history and tradition - and alcohol, if you’re doing it right, says Stef Fox.

Somerset's leading chef Richard Guest has made his mark at The Castle Hotel in Taunton, bringing European techniques and sophistication to an already great British menu. With his first book Jam with Lamb just out, and some TV on the cards, he's a man whose career is worth watching.

It’s not just about the turkey. Celebrate the season with these divine festive recipes from Clarissa Dickson Wright and Johnny Scott. Plus we’ve got the top foodie hotels to try if you want someone else to do the hard work. Photographs by Gus Filgate.

September and October sees a wealth of local foodie festivals taking place across the region. Rev up your appetite and hit the road for two months of great eating, says Stef Fox.

One of the South West's most passionate and adventurous foodies, Chris Horridge is the Michelin-starred chef at The Bath Priory. We caught up with him to find out more about his obsession with the appliance of science.

With British Cheese Week taking place from October 1-7, we asked international cheese judge Ann-Marie Dyas of Bath's The Fine Cheese Co. for her pick of the most divine, unmissable cheeses from the region.

Soaring sales of fruit and veg seeds, a rise in smallholding, the fashion for allotments... the food revolution continues as foodies take buying local one step further and produce their own food. Food magazine gets the lowdown on how you can get involved.

Carol Klein's recent series Grow Your Own Veg on BBC 2 has been the surprise hit of the season, with high viewing figures and sales of the accompanying book. food caught up with the enthusiastic nurserywoman at one of her sell-out book signings.

Gerald David is an old-school butcher, selling top quality meat across the South West. A traditionalist through and through, he only sells meat that has been killed in-house. "I'd never buy in meat - it goes against my religion," he says.

Rick Stein crosses the Channel for his new series and book, French Odyssey. He tells Stephanie Fox how French food measured up to Cornwall’s best.

Now’s the time to gorge on freshly picked, crisp veggies. Farmer and grower, Lori M Reich, reveals what to look for when buying and how to make the most of the summer’s bounty.

Want some help matching wines with barbecued food? Then read Susy Atkins’s definitive guide to the best pairings of the summer.