AWARD-winning top chefs are hosting a series of dining events featuring local produce under the CareMoor for Exmoor Dining Club banner this spring.

Two new restaurants – Locanda on the Weir in Porlock and Duende in Wiveliscombe – have stepped aboard the venture, joining the Beach Hotel, in Minehead and Dunkery Beacon Country House at Wootton Courtenay.

Their chefs have each created a menu to present to guests along with a talk about their passion for the landscape and the food produced from it.

Pio Catemario, chef proprietor of Locanda on the Weir, is working up a May Bank Holiday menu based on foraged flavours from the sea, forest, hills and the moors. 

Pio said: “We recognise the value of the national park and the wonderful produce we can grow, forage and buy locally. There’s nothing quite like cooking with the freshest possible ingredients from passionate Exmoor farmers and producers whenever possible.”

Simon and Alison Routh, owners of Wellhayes Vineyard, on the edge of Exmoor, have been working with chefs Tim Zekki and Olivier Certain, from Duende, to match each of their dishes with wines from Devon and Somerset, in celebration of English Wine Week, May 25 to June 2.

This year marks 70 years since the UK’s national parks became enshrined in law and, to help celebrate, the restaurants will donating £5 from every ticket sold to the National Park Authority’s CareMoor for Exmoor scheme, towards vital nature, heritage and access projects throughout the National Park.

Dan James, Exmoor National Park Authority sustainable economy manager, said: “Exmoor is fortunate to have many top quality restaurants with award-winning chefs, so visitors know they can come here to experience the best of Exmoor on a plate, as well as through the landscape.

“Local farmers, the food they produce and the tourism this brings into the area are all instrumental in underpinning a rural economy such as ours, so we’re delighted to have this support.”