Bay's Seafood Feast was 'not just about food - it's what makes us special'

By Lyn Spindley, of Treat Marketing and a seafood lover…..

I joined a group of fellow food lovers for an event unlike any other, the Brixham 7 Chefs experience. 

It was part of England’s Seafood Feast and became one of the most enjoyable days I have had on the Seafood Coast in Devon. 

The idea is simple but brilliant. We travelled between seven of Brixham’s best restaurants, each serving a signature dish with a perfectly paired drink. 

A highlight for guests was meeting the chefs, who came out for photos and autographs, so everyone left with a special keepsake.

Our day began at the Berry Head Hotel, high above the water with views across the bay. The sun was shining and there was a feeling of excitement in the air. 

A delicate crab tartlet was served in a crispy phyllo pastry shell, paired with a glass of Prosecco. We enjoyed a short talk from Helen Lovell-Smith at The Fisherman’s Mission, the charity supported by the event.

From Berry Head, we set off on foot. The sky was clear and blue, and the sea shimmered to our right as we made our way into town along the coast path. 

We could see the colourful hillside homes reflected in the water, and a class of children kayaking outside the RNLI station. 

It was a charming sight and added to the sense of community that defines Brixham. This “walk and talk” style of event had a relaxed pace, giving us time to enjoy the fishing boats that make the harbour so distinctive.

At the Breakwater Bistro, we met Laurance Traverso, founder of Coastal Distilling, who shared his Citrus and Sea Salt Gin made specially for the Bistro. It captured the flavour of the coast perfectly. In addition to G&T’s, it was served as a gin jelly alongside plump scallops. 

At The Prince William, one of the young team members gave a short talk about gurnard, the fish featured in the dish and passed around a pencil drawing she had made of it. 

It was a thoughtful touch that showed how much pride the local teams have in what they do. The chef, who has a background in fine dining, came out to describe his creation of gin-cured gurnard fillet with pickles, relishes, and saffron aioli. It was full of flavour and beautifully balanced and stood out as one of the highlights of the day.

Rockfish served mussels cooked in Rockfish Sea Cider with leeks, accompanied by sourdough bread for dipping. It was comforting, rich, and full of coastal character. The cider pairing worked beautifully and brought the dish together.

Then came Olive, which for me was the standout of the day. Their seafood risotto was creamy and rich, topped with roasted hake and a crisp layer of tempura samphire. The contrast in textures was perfect. 

The risotto and hake were smooth and buttery, while the samphire added a delicate crunch. I poured myself a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from Olive’s Enomatic wine machine, which keeps each bottle perfectly preserved. The crisp, chilled wine paired beautifully with the dish and complemented every bite.

Our next stop was La Petit Maison, where we enjoyed an elegant turbot fillet with wilted rainbow chard in a mussel sauce. 

The restaurant had closed just for us, and the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. The colourful glassware, in shades of green and blue, caught the afternoon light streaming through the windows. It felt intimate, like a true bistro experience. 

As this final savoury course of the day, we raised our glasses in appreciation not only for the chefs and their food but also for the shared experience itself.

The final stop was Liberty, where dessert and cocktails brought everyone together one last time. 

The team served macarons and custom lemon meringue cocktails decorated with the England’s Seafood Feast and Liberty logos. 

Local photographer Rob Elford Shot by Rob captured the laughter and raised glasses as people shared their favourite moments from the day.

As I sipped my last drink, I looked around at the faces of new friends and felt grateful for what the event had created. 7 Chefs was not just about food. It was about people, conversation, and pride in the town that makes the Seafood Coast so special.