Welcome
handmade, high quality
28 Oct 2013 - Due to other business commitments Ditchetts of Devon has ceased trading. Many thanks to all of our customers and fellow traders for your support over the last couple of years - we'll miss you!
Ditchetts of Devon is based in the village of Witheridge in the county of Devon, UK. All of our handmade artisan pates are made in small batches, using the finest ingredients from local farms and small producers. We use high welfare meat, sourced and raised locally within Devon wherever possible - this means it's free range, outdoor reared or grass fed depending on which animal it is. We also rear some of our own chickens, ducks and rare breed pigs, and animal welfare is of great importance to us. We don't add any artificial preservatives; the only preservatives in our products are those which may already be contained within such ingredients as bacon or dried apricots; or those which are natural preservatives such as alcohol and salt. And we certainly don't use artificial flavourings! If a pate has orange in it - then you can be assured that it is flavoured with a fresh orange - zested and juiced by hand. All of our ingredients matter, which is why we also use fresh herbs as much as possible rather than dried as we feel this gives a much better balance of flavours - in season, these are from our own kitchen garden. We also use Devon cider (would be criminal not to!) and locally grown apples when in season (from our own orchard). This isn't mass produced factory pate that only has about 30% meat content (if you're lucky!); this is pate made the same way chefs in top class restaurants make it - from scratch, by hand, with at least 60% meat and with care.
Vegetarian, Vegan and Healthy Options!
Due to popular demand we've now introduced a new range of vegetarian and vegan pates (they also have the added benefit of being a rather healthy, low calorie option). Have a look at our products page for the full range, which is constantly being developed and expanded.
We don't cut corners, we simply want to produce the best product possible. As they say here in Devon 'proper job'!
Ditchetts of Devon is based in the village of Witheridge in the county of Devon, UK. All of our handmade artisan pates are made in small batches, using the finest ingredients from local farms and small producers. We use high welfare meat, sourced and raised locally within Devon wherever possible - this means it's free range, outdoor reared or grass fed depending on which animal it is. We also rear some of our own chickens, ducks and rare breed pigs, and animal welfare is of great importance to us. We don't add any artificial preservatives; the only preservatives in our products are those which may already be contained within such ingredients as bacon or dried apricots; or those which are natural preservatives such as alcohol and salt. And we certainly don't use artificial flavourings! If a pate has orange in it - then you can be assured that it is flavoured with a fresh orange - zested and juiced by hand. All of our ingredients matter, which is why we also use fresh herbs as much as possible rather than dried as we feel this gives a much better balance of flavours - in season, these are from our own kitchen garden. We also use Devon cider (would be criminal not to!) and locally grown apples when in season (from our own orchard). This isn't mass produced factory pate that only has about 30% meat content (if you're lucky!); this is pate made the same way chefs in top class restaurants make it - from scratch, by hand, with at least 60% meat and with care.
Vegetarian, Vegan and Healthy Options!
Due to popular demand we've now introduced a new range of vegetarian and vegan pates (they also have the added benefit of being a rather healthy, low calorie option). Have a look at our products page for the full range, which is constantly being developed and expanded.
We don't cut corners, we simply want to produce the best product possible. As they say here in Devon 'proper job'!
Pork, Apple & Calvados Terrine - a winner in 2013!
STOP PRESS!! We're delighted to announce that Ditchetts has just been awarded a prestigious '* Great Taste Award' by The Guild of Fine Food for our 'Pork, Apple & Calvados Terrine'! We are absolutely delighted! here's a little about what this award is and what the judges said
Feedback Comments
'Strong porky aroma with distinct garlic, a good moist texture from the apples and calvados, and a pleasant texture.A meaty, rich and flavoursome terrine with a good balance of flavours, ideal for a starter.'
What is Great Taste?
Great Taste is the largest and most trusted accreditation scheme for speciality and fine food & drink. Established in 1994, it encourages and mentors artisan food producers, offering a unique benchmarking and product evaluation service leading to an independent accreditation that enables small food and drink businesses to compete against supermarket premium own label brands.
Since 1994 over 80,000 products have been evaluated. This year alone, almost 10,000 products were blind-tasted by panels of specialists: top chefs, cookery writers, food critics, restaurateurs and fine food retailers.
What are Great Taste judges looking for?
They’re looking for great texture and appearance. They judge the quality of ingredients and how well the maker has put the food or drink together. But above all, they are looking for truly great taste.
How do they work?
Working in small teams, experts taste 25 foods in each sitting, discussing each product as a coordinating food writer transcribes their comments directly onto the Great Taste website which producers access after judging is completed. Over the years, numerous food businesses, start-ups and well established producers have been advised how to modify their foods and have subsequently gone on to achieve Great Taste stars.
Any food that a judging team believes is worthy of Great Taste stars is judged by at least two further teams. Only when there is a consensus will an award be given – that means at least 16 judges will have tasted every accredited product.
What should consumers look for?
The logo. The Great Taste symbol is their guarantee a product has been through a rigorous and independent judging process. It’s not about smart packaging or clever marketing – it’s all about taste.
Feedback Comments
'Strong porky aroma with distinct garlic, a good moist texture from the apples and calvados, and a pleasant texture.A meaty, rich and flavoursome terrine with a good balance of flavours, ideal for a starter.'
What is Great Taste?
Great Taste is the largest and most trusted accreditation scheme for speciality and fine food & drink. Established in 1994, it encourages and mentors artisan food producers, offering a unique benchmarking and product evaluation service leading to an independent accreditation that enables small food and drink businesses to compete against supermarket premium own label brands.
Since 1994 over 80,000 products have been evaluated. This year alone, almost 10,000 products were blind-tasted by panels of specialists: top chefs, cookery writers, food critics, restaurateurs and fine food retailers.
What are Great Taste judges looking for?
They’re looking for great texture and appearance. They judge the quality of ingredients and how well the maker has put the food or drink together. But above all, they are looking for truly great taste.
How do they work?
Working in small teams, experts taste 25 foods in each sitting, discussing each product as a coordinating food writer transcribes their comments directly onto the Great Taste website which producers access after judging is completed. Over the years, numerous food businesses, start-ups and well established producers have been advised how to modify their foods and have subsequently gone on to achieve Great Taste stars.
Any food that a judging team believes is worthy of Great Taste stars is judged by at least two further teams. Only when there is a consensus will an award be given – that means at least 16 judges will have tasted every accredited product.
What should consumers look for?
The logo. The Great Taste symbol is their guarantee a product has been through a rigorous and independent judging process. It’s not about smart packaging or clever marketing – it’s all about taste.
Smoked Mackerel & Horseradish - Gold Award Winning
Our Smoked Mackerel and Horseradish Pate won a coveted 'Gold' award at the Taste of the West Awards in 2012!
Where to find us
At Market
We sell via a variety of markets and outlets around Devon; Throughout 2013, we'll be at the following markets and festivals:
We sell via a variety of markets and outlets around Devon; Throughout 2013, we'll be at the following markets and festivals:
- 2 March 2013 - Lynton Farmers' Market
- 9 March 2013, Moretonhampstead Food Festival, Devon (find us in the North Devon + area)
- 24 March 2013 - Love Food Festival, Bristol
- 30 March 2013 - Ruby Country Market, Hatherleigh, Devon
- 6 April 2013 - Lynton Farmers' Market
- 12 May 2013 - Tiverton Food Festival - Tiverton Pannier Market
- 26 & 27 May 2013 - Tavistock Garden Festival, Tavistock, Devon
- 12 June 2013 (7.30 pm) - Talk at Cutcombe WI, Somerset
- 15 June 2013 - Crediton Food and Drink Festival, Devon
- 16 June 2013 - Taunton Food Fair, Taunton, Somerset
- 6 July 2013, Ruby Country Market, Hatherleigh, Devon
- 3 August 2013 - Silverton Street Market , Devon
- 7 August 2013 - North Devon Show
- 26 August 2013 - Lustleigh Village Show, Kelly Farm, Lustleigh, Devon
- 14 September 2013 - Ashburton Food & Drink Festival, Devon
- 22 September 2013 - Taste of the West Country Food Fest, RHS Rosemoor
- 6 October 2013 - Powderham Food Festival
- 20 October 2013 - North Devon Foodfest, Pannier Market, Barnstaple, Devon
- 1 December 2013 - Christmas Food Festival, RHS Rosemoor
- 7 December 2013 - Ruby Country Market, Hatherleigh, Devon
