A foody foray into the West Country

The West Country may not come to mind as readily as places like Paris and New York when it comes to thinking about great foody destinations, but the sleepy coastal region has been quietly building a formidable culinary reputation.

Gone are the days when the best one could expect from the west was a pasty and pie. Now, visitors have a world of top class cooking available, in a region that can boast an impressive 16 Michelin stars.

Eateries awaiting hungry travellers of course include Rick Stein's much-televised The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, as well as a new kid on the block in the shape of Jamie Oliver's latest Fifteen restaurant.

Taking advantage of the region's fresh, organic local produce, Jamie is offering youngsters in Newquay the chance to forge a career as a top chef.

The new 100-seater restaurant will open in May this year, at Watergate Bay.

For those who wish to come and enjoy the foods of the West Country, Classic Cottages has drawn up itineraries and recommendations of where to go when staying in the region.

Raymond Blanc's double-starred protege, Michael Caines, has been cooking up a storm of raviolo of lobster for some time at Gidleigh Park in Devon, and Classic Cottages recommends the nearby Widecombe Manor as a place to stay.

The grand 19th century manor sleeps 16 and is set in a massive 54-acre estate, replete with outdoor swimming pool, gardens, lakes and a deer park. Prices start at £125 per person for a week.

Those looking to enjoy Michelin-starred chef Nathan Outlaw's spider-crab risotto at St Ervan Manor in Padstow can find affordable yet very comfortable accomodation at Gwel-an-Keynvor.

Based at Trevone Bay, the cottage's name is 'view of the ocean' in Cornish, so no prizes for guessing what you can see out of the window. Prices start from £71 per person for a week.

For more information visit www.classic.co.uk XXX