The festival which celebrates the South West's reputation as the nation's larder, launches some fantastic new initiatives such as the Celebration Reward Card, the first ever local food reward card, which can be redeemed in shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and hotels across the region by visitors to claim special offers and promotions.

The festival also follows hot on the heels of Jamie Oliver's work on school dinners with Fine Dining for Kids in which participating restaurants put on an extra sitting at kids' teatime so they can eat in style with their parents. The blokes will also be happy with Beer and a Banger, where pubs and restaurants throughout the region combine the hearty delights of local sausage and mash, or sausage sarnies, with top quality local ales.

Some of the biggest quality food and hospitality businesses in the region have signed up to be involved in the festivals, including Britain's largest independent hotel chain, the Brend Group which hosted a visit from the Queen not so long ago. The famous Darts Farm in Devon will be hosting two local producer gourmet dinner evenings, one with Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and one for kids. Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall is also taking part in Fine Dining for Kids and hosting Poachers' Fortnight, two weeks of a special three course lunch menu highlighting the flavours of the season. And Rick Stein has just announced two events at his Seafood School in Padstow. More fun for foodies will be had on the Food Safaris which are taking place in both Devon and Cornwall and will take visitors on a foodies’ dream trip around local producers, tasting local fare along the way.

Neil Haydock, Head Chef at Fifteen Cornwall says, "We got involved with Cornwall Celebration of Food because we wanted to shout about our suppliers. We use some fantastic produce from within Cornwall and our customers often ask us where they can buy it. Some of the businesses that supply us are tiny - they deserve wider exposure. We're also firm believers in buying locally - it's good for the environment, cuts down on food miles and keeps money in the county."

Also involved in the festival are innovative businesses like Own Online, a local food and supplies internet service which enables customers to shop for local produce in a one stop shop on-line - an excellent way to make shopping locally easier for busy people, whilst also reducing food miles.

Well known Devon TV chefs the Tanner brothers are also supporting the festival enthusiastically. The brothers recently opened their new Barbican Restaurant in the Plymouth Gin Distillery where they will be holding events as part of the festival, including Fine Dining for Kids. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall will be hosting an event at Darts Farm in Devon on 25 October and is one of the best-known advocates of local food, he says,

"Events such as the Devon Celebration of Food are crucial both for consumers and producers. They boost business, educate shoppers and broadcast the message that local is best. Shopping locally is one of simplest but most important steps anyone can take towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Not only is it good for the environment and for our communities, it means better quality food too. We have to get that message out to people, and we have to make sure they know what’s on offer in their own back yard."

Visitors to Devon and Cornwall can even start their foodie experience early, as First Great Western are holding foodie events on their trains as part of the festival.

The Celebration of Food Festival is run by Salt Media in Devon, which produces the free food magazine for Devon and Cornwall. food editor Jo Rees says, "We took over Celebration of Food 2 years ago when the EU funded Devon Food Links Project, came to an end and the Celebration needed a home. Food magazine supports local food and we believe the produce in the South West is some of the best in the country so we wanted to encourage locals and visitors to eat locally. Devon Celebration of Food has been a huge success and we're delighted that Cornwall is on board now too, largely thanks to the support of Taste of the West, Cornwall. We've had a phenomenal amount of interest this year with more than 150 events lined up and an unprecedented response from businesses to sponsor and take part in the Festival. Being a parent, I know how difficult it can be to find somewhere great to eat local food with kids, so I think that Fine Dining for Kids is a novel way make sure kids and parents can enjoy a good meal out together. We're really looking forward to the festival this year and hope people from all over the country come down to the South West to enjoy all there is on offer."

Celebration of Food Festival runs from 28th September in Devon and 29th September in Cornwall to 29th October.

For more information visit www.celebrationoffood.co.uk