Carol Trewin Young Food Writers Award Writers Workshop 2011 28 April 2011, Pebblebed Tasting Cellar, Topsham with James Crowden and Marc Millon Five finalists for the first ever Carol Trewin Young Food Writer's Award and local food and drink writers gathered outside the Pebblebed Wine Cellar in Topsham after a day's seminar before starting their own 1500 word food essay which will be judged later in summer. The winner to be announced in September. Left to right: Natacha du Pont de Bie from South Zeal - food travel writer and author of Ant Egg Soup on cooking in Laos; James Crowden of Winsham, Somerset - cider writer; Kate Concah, Exeter; Geoff Bowen Pebblebed Wine, Topsham; Megan Saunders, Payhembury; Caroline Tecks, Stoke St Gregory, Somerset; Rozzie Yoxhall, Exeter; Cat Kennedy, Axminster; Marc Millon - food, wine and travel writer, Topsham. Missing from the photo Anna-Marie Julyan, London. Photo by Kim Millon. 10.00 Meet for coffee in Pebblebed Tasting Cellar, Topsham 10.15 Introduction by Marc Millon and James Crowden – What is food writing? Marc and James’ own backgrounds. Opportunities today for food writers. 11.00 Introductions from each of the 6 shortlisted award winners Background, aims and ambitions 11.30 Taste workshop 1: Tasting of a selection of West Country cheeses at Country Cheeses – one of the best cheese shops in the UK – opportunity to interview the staff, ask questions 12.15 Visit to The Globe Hotel – visit to Topsham Brewery – cooperative micro-brewery; working West Country lunch at The Globe prepared by chef James Clark 13.30 Return to Pebblebed Tasting Cellar: Natacha du Pont de Bie, author of “Ant Egg Soup” to talk about food and travel writing; Q & A 14.00 Freddie Dudbridge, co-leader Slow Food Devon, on the importance of the Slow Food movement 14.15 James Crowden on food poetry 14.30 Visit to Darts Farm for tour of the food hall; meet with Chris Coles, Green Valley Cider 15.45 Return to Pebblebed Tasting cellar; Taste workshop 2: English wines with Geoff Bowen 16.50 Optional conclusion: To Exeter for official VIP Launch of Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink (all shortlisted finalists are on the VIP guest list). 19.30 Conclusion of VIP Launch. Notes: The Pebblebed Tasting Cellar is located on Ferry Road, Topsham, opposite Trouts Boatyard and near Topsham Quay (Lighter Inn). Parking on Topsham Quay or in surgery carpark on Holman Way (both pay and display). If arriving by train, the cellar is about 10 minutes by foot. Make your way to Ferry Road via St Margaret’s churchyard and down the steps to the river; left at the bottom of the steps. We will travel to the Festival for the VIP launch by train (unless you want to drive). Pebblebed directions: http://www.pebblebed.co.uk/pebblebed.php?ID=3&stylesheet=style Sat-nav postcode EX3 0JJ Contacts: Marc Millon marc@quaypress.com tel 01392 873778 or 0777 572 4573; James Crowden jamescrowden@btinternet.com tel 07977 422309 Pebblebed Tasting Cellar tel 07814 788348