ENVIRONMENT, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee chairman Alistair Carmichael was among dozens of MP and Parliamentarians who had a taste of Exmoor food and drink on Tuesday, April 21.

They took time to meet with Exmoor businesses showcasing their wares and to hear directly about their work and the challenges they face.

The Westminster ‘Flavours from Exmoor’ event was hosted by West Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour and brought together a group of producers and organisations to represent the strength and diversity of Exmoor’s food and drink offer.

Those attending included Visit Exmoor, Exmoor National Park Authority, Exmoor Distillery, Black Bear Brewery, Exmoor Game School, Wellhayes Vineyard, the Exmoor Hill Farming Network, Somerset Larder, and the Somerset and Exmoor Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP).

Also taking part was William Sitwell, local restaurateur, journalist, BBC MasterChef judge, and ambassador for the LVEP, alongside VisitBritain’s Helen Hill.

Exmoor Young Chef 2025 finalists Lauren Lewis and Maddie Kennedy also attended, highlighting the next generation of talent entering the hospitality sector and the importance of continued investment in skills and careers.

Visit Exmoor chief executive Emma Thomasson said: “The quality, provenance, and diversity of what we offer is exceptional, and it was important to be able to share that directly with Parliamentarians and stakeholders.

“It also gave us the chance to highlight the realities of operating as small, independent businesses in a rural area, and to reinforce the importance of continued support for the visitor economy, which underpins jobs, investment, and long-term sustainability across Exmoor.”

Mrs Gilmour said having such fantastic local businesses in the House of Commons was ‘really special for me’.

She said: “I hope this will be a timely reminder that the rural economy is its own powerhouse and deserves to be treated as such.”

Mrs Gilmour said the event showed Exmoor was part of the Westcountry’s ‘past, present, and future’.