November / December foodie diary

The latest South West food and drink events and pop-ups for your calendar

Make the journey

Gourmets take note: Cheltenham has a new fine‑dining destination. Restaurant Journey on Bath Road opened its doors at the end of October and is delivering an immersive tasting‑menu experience.

Head chef and owner Jeff Lewis blends his experience at Michelin‑rated restaurants (such as Ynyshir in Wales and The Fat Duck in Bray) with his travels across Asia to create exciting 12‑course menus.

Cheltenham supper club

The Cotswolds’ roaming restaurant The Scenic Supper will settle in Cheltenham this winter for an eight‑week residency at Ritual Coffee Roasters.

From November 8 to December 31 (Wednesdays to Saturdays), head chef Samuel Idoine will craft hyper‑seasonal evening menus in the contemporary industrial space. Booking is recommended and requires a £15 deposit per person.

Brioche like a boss

Join bread guru Andy Tyrrell at Riverford Field Kitchen in Devon on November 22 for a baking workshop with a Christmas twist.

Budding bakers attending the full‑day course will learn how to make delicious goodies such as orange and cranberry brioche, traditional stollen and festive focaccia. Tickets cost £150 and include lunch cooked by Riverford Field Kitchen chefs.

Pullo x Glebe House

November and December promise another packed line-up of pop-ups and events at Pullo in Exeter. Top of our hit list is a ticket to the wine and cheese shop’s collaboration with Sam Lomas of Glebe House in east Devon. On November 23, the Great British Menu finalist will craft a bespoke line-up of dishes. Tickets cost £39.50.

Christmas wine tasting

Morrish & Banham‘s duo of Dorset bottle shops will host their annual Christmas Wine Tastings on November 24 (Duke’s auction house in Dorchester) and 25 (Electric Palace in Bridport).

The walk‑around tastings will feature over 100 wines and provide the perfect opportunity to pick your Christmas lunch pairings. Tickets cost £10.

Cornish Christmas joy

Padstow Christmas Festival takes place in the heart of the Cornish town from December 1‑4 and will welcome some of the UK’s leading chefs such as Nathan Outlaw, Paul Ainsworth and Rick Stein.

Headline sponsor Sharp’s Brewery has a host of activities planned for the long weekend, including running its illuminating Silent Bistro experience. In addition, Sharp’s beer sommelier Ed Hughes (pictured) will perform a demo at the Chef’s Theatre on the Saturday and the team will sell Christmas gifts from the Sharp’s Brewery stand. Day tickets cost £7.

Festive fireside feasting

Get the gang together for a festive feast cooked over fire at High Grange in east Devon. From December 8‑10, Luke and Sara Vandore‑Mackay will host a series of sociable suppers at their woodland kitchen. The events start with cocktails and nibbles by an open fire, before guests head into the rustic shippen to indulge in a five‑course feast cooked by Luke. Tickets cost £85.

Cocktails, curry and carols

The team at Roth Bar & Grill in Bruton are shaking up the classic carol concert this year by throwing Cocktails, Curry and Carols parties.

The events, which take place on December 16 and 17, will kick off with arrival drinks before guests dive into a sharing‑style Indian feast. The real fun starts when house pianist Huw starts cracking out the Christmas classics – and yes, everyone is expected to join in. Tickets cost £40.