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Wednesday, December 03, 2008, 08:24
For the first time in Exeter, unusual specialist markets will be set up in Castle Street throughout December.
Every Friday, starting this week, it will be the turn of the produce market, when visitors can treat their taste buds to local and regional festive food and drink.
Market supervisor Malcolme Littler said: "In previous years, we have had things like the German market.
"This year, we are having four different markets instead, including a produce market. People like to look for something a bit different to what's in the shops or what they can get all year round.
"It's like the farmers' market, but there will be more seasonal items which you can keep for Christmas, such as jams and preserves, apple juices, mulled fruits, prepared chicken, wines, cheeses, honey and vacuum-packed trout. There will be a nice variety and it's all local produce.
"Some of the sellers will be familiar faces from the farmers' market and we will have slightly different food-related stalls, such as Goodwood Cellars at Exeter Quay selling chopping boards and bowls made from reclaimed wood."
Among the other stallholders will be local wine producers Yearlstone Vineyard.
The award-winning business, owned by Roger and Juliet White, has helped give Devon wine a good reputation.
Yearlstone is Devon's oldest vineyard and is located 200 feet above sea level, on a steep southerly slope above the River Exe at Bickleigh.
The biggest demand is for its sparkling wine, but its red, white and rosé wines are also popular.
Exeter Farmers' Market will continue to be held as normal in South Street/ Fore Street every Thursday from 9am to 2pm.
Shoppers will be able to buy the usual delicious range of foods, such as cheeses, meat, organic fruit and vegetables, bread and pies, but with an added festive element.
Otter Valley Poultry will be selling its usual chicken and ducks, along with seasonal turkey.
The organic poultry farm, run by the Gardner family, works with other local farms to offer chickens, ducks, seasonal geese, guinea fowl and turkeys.
They also sell home- made sausages including chicken, honey and mustard and Jamaican jerk.
Also getting shoppers into the festive spirit will be Foodeaze, Exeter's unique indoor market and restaurant.
The food emporium at the Corn Exchange recently signed up for Jamie Oliver's TV cookery show, Jamie's Ministry of Food, and was visited by the chef himself.
The series is about showing anyone can learn to cook and live a healthier life and Exeter is its regional headquarters.
Christmas cook-offs, involving schools, community centres, local businesses and a Scout group, will take place throughout December.
Rose Ashton, Foodeaze's head of operations, said: "As part of being the Ministry of Food headquarters, we will be organising a Christmas Party Cook- Off, where up to 15 people can come in and cook a pre-chosen Jamie Oliver recipe for their Christmas party then sit down, eat and have fun.
"We also will be selling Jamie's hampers full of things like ingredients, recipe cards, and aprons, and not forgetting the goodies sold on our deli counter. We have the largest in the South West with over 300 items."
The Christmas Produce Market is open tomorrow, December 12, and December 19, from 9am to 5pm.
The last Exeter Farmers' Market of the year will be held on Thursday, December 18, and will stay open an extra hour until 3pm.
Foodeaze will be opening until 10pm for late- night shopping on Thursdays throughout December, and will also open on the last two Sundays before Christmas.
Rose Ashton, at Foodeaze, in Exeter, which will be organising a special Jamie Oliver Christmas Party Cook-Off OLIVER SANDERS EE141008_OS02_02
