New Taste Of The West to champion regional food

The region is keen to showcase its produce

A new consortium has taken over the Taste Of The West brand so that it can continue to champion food and drink in the region.

The original Taste Of The West went into administration back in May 2025, but now The Consortium Of People That Care has purchased the intellectual property and set up a new community interest company under the same name.

The organisation is a grouping of food and drink producers that has combined expertise to help its members market themselves and grow.

It has more than 1000 members and covers the counties of the south west of England - Cornwall, Devon, Bristol, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire - and the Channel Islands.

The group behind the consortium believes Taste Of The West is vital in helping businesses develop themselves and find new markets.

Charles Baughan owns Devon-based Westaway Sausages and is one of the new directors of Taste of The West.

"Twenty-five years ago I was working making sausages out of a lock up effectively, out of a garage," said Mr Baughan.

"Taste of the West actually helped me get a listing with Sainsbury's of all people and that was what triggered the growth that we had and enabled us to grow from start up to scale up.

"To go from £90k a year turnover to over £5m - that is what the difference is," he said.

Charles Baughan wants Taste of the West to support local producers

Four Elms Fruit Farm in Devon is among the members of Taste Of The West.

"We just don't have time to promote what we are doing," said Four Elms Director Richard Smedley.

"Taste of the West is a marvellous organisation that can actually promote food businesses and champion products that are being produced in the amazing West Country."

With the previous organisation having gone into administration, the consortium is well aware of potential issues, but is confident it can achieve its aims.

"We will be doing everything we can for members," said Mr Baughan.

"We're not trying to make any money out of this, we don't get paid.

"We're all about delivering value. Being experienced businesses owners, we run our own businesses. We are fully aware of how to mange and control financial risk."

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