SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 12 midday

This year Abbfest is delighted to welcome Michael Caines to the stage

Michael Caines is one of Britain's most acclaimed chefs. AA Chef's Chef of the Year in 2007, and awarded an MBE in 2006 for services to the hospitality industry, Michael is an Operational Partner and Director of ABode Hotels and Michael Caines Restaurants, in overall charge of all food and beverage operations throughout the fast-growing group. He is also Executive Chef at Gidleigh Park, the acclaimed and prestigious country house hotel on the edge of Dartmoor at Chagford, Devon, where he has earned his reputation - as well as two Michelin stars - serving distinctive modern European cuisine utilising the finest local and regional produce and ingredients. Since February 2009, he is also Executive Chef at The Bath Priory, Bath, Gidleigh Park's sister establishment.In 2000, he founded Michael Caines Restaurants and took over food and beverage operations at The Royal Clarence, Exeter, Britain's first hotel. A chance encounter with Andrew Brownsword led to the creation of ABode Hotels. Amongst numerous other recent accolades, Michael has cooked in 10 Downing Street for the Prime Minister, and he took part in ‘The Great British Menu' chef's competition broadcast on BBC2 television for the honour of cooking for the Queen's 80th birthday.

1pm

IAN NIXON - THE VANILLA POD AT THE CRIDFORD INN

Excellence of cuisine and an interesting wine cellar is the aim of this new temple to gourmet cooking. Ian the owner and Head Chef has been in the catering industry since leaving college, and has won many awards for his cuisine. Private parties can be catered for, we specialise in after meeting lunches or dinners for business professional teams, weddings, anniversaries and birthdays.

2.30PM POPULAR INDIAN CUSINE WITH THE EASTERN EYE, NEWTON ABBOT

The eastern world which includes the subcontinent of India created all the old delicious dishes dating back to the old Mogul period which started from 1526. This is the source of the Mild Mogul dishes etc which are popular throughout the world. At the eastern eye we carefully create and select the dishes which would be most suitable for our customers in the south west.

3.30PM ITALIAN COOKING WITH GIOVANNI -  MERLEWOOD HOUSE

Giovanni Butto was born in Sicily and his passion for food has taken him all over the world.  He spent seven years working for the Aga Khan in Sardignia before coming to England in 1969.  He ran his own restaurant in Birmingham which was featured in the Good Food Guide for 10 years and his celebrity clients include Cliff Richard, Dudley Moore, Wendy Craig, June Whitfield, Lenny Henry and Don Maclean who still remains a good friend.

Giovanni is now semi retired and is still keen to share his passion for great Italian food.  Merlewood House is lucky enough to have secured Giovanni for One Day Italian Cooking Experiences so that you can learn to do it the real italian way.