Celebrating National Real Vanilla Day in Exmouth

National Real Vanilla Day is coming to Exmouth on October 17 when a host of cookery experts will show what can be done with the exotic flavour.

For the free family event, East Devon vanilla company, LittlePod is collaborating with the award-winning Bumble and Bee Tea Rooms. Exmouth Town Council has pitched in with support for the use of the adjacent Manor Gardens.

LIttlePod MD, Janet Sawyer said: “With so many customers throughout the UK as well as internationally it was difficult to choose a location‒ but we decided to keep the celebrations local again this year.

“Not many people know the vanilla pod is actually the seed pod of an orchid or that this month marks its flowering period ‒ a perfect reason to celebrate this wonderful flavour.”

Janet recently discovered a vanilla planifolia growing locally at Burnham Nurseries. One will be on display in a special exhibition area in the tea rooms, and there will be the opportunity during the day to win an orchid.

Entertainment on offer includes international samba street band, Street Heat and Freerunning urban sport group, Street Motion. There will also be cookery demonstrations by Michael Caines Academy students, Jim Fisher of Exeter Cookery School, South West Chef of the Year 2013, Steve Ashworth and the Bumble and Bee team, all of whom will be showcasing how to cook with vanilla.

International travel writer, Hilary Brandt of Brandt’s Travel Guides will be kicking off the event with a talk about the vanilla producing island, Madagascar. Hilary has recently retired to East Devon and knows Madagascar well, having visited 32 times.

During the day, LittlePod aims to raise funds for charity Blue Ventures. Local doctor Vik Mohan is co-founder of the charity, and spends two months a year in Madagascar leading community health projects, more recently in the vanilla growing regions.

“We are very grateful to the local companies and individuals helping to make this happen and we are all looking forward to enjoying a cracking carnival atmosphere,” added Janet.

National Real Vanilla Day at Bumble and Bee and Manor Gardens is free to attend and is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm. For more information visit www.nationalvanilladay.com