Wild Mushrooms start coming into their own in the autumn and are a favourite with chefs and foragers alike. We love them here in North Devon, where they can be abundant if you know where to look. Wild mushroom soup and Fricassee of wild mushrooms is certainly a big hit with our guests, be they confirmed carnivores or strict vegetarians.

It goes without saying that great care should be taken when picking your own mushrooms. If in doubt, leave it to the experts would be a good general rule- although there are some excellent short courses and guidebooks in existence these days.

Mackerel are another great favourite on our menus, making a fabulous starter. Keen anglers will tell you that the late summer and early autumn tend to produce the biggest, juiciest mackerel of all – before seas cool and they become scarce. Perhaps even more importantly, they are still present in sustainable numbers, unlike our now fragile population of wild seabass. Oven poached with ginger and rosemary by our chefs, they are superb! Or equally, they go excellently with two other early autumn staples: beetroot and watercress.

Local Game is another excellent source of tasty meat as we come to the autumn. Supplies can be highly seasonal and localized, from Devon venison to free range duck. Interestingly, many of these rich, characterful meats are now coming back into fashion as diners realise just how tasty they are – to say nothing of their sustainability and lower food miles in comparison to other produce. Our selection is often changing, so do check specials boards and our current menus.

Damsons are another fantastic bonus as we hit late summer, we Brits have been harvesting these small, sweet-yet-tart plums from pre-Roman times. They are a tough plant too, with the hedges they grow on actually cultivated deliberately in the past to deter intruders and protect other plants. Find a supply and they are great for making jams, preserves and desserts.

Apples might be something we take for granted, but this humble fruit is one of the real food treasures of the West Country. There are over 2,000 varieties of apple in England alone, which makes it all the more bizarre that we fly in supplies of uniformly dull fruit from Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa! Why not celebrate our own apples with a trip to a local orchard? Winkleigh Cider, very near to our doors, is home to the delicious (and slightly deadly) Sam’s Cider, with friendly expert staff and an onsite shop. Meanwhile, you’ll also find great local fruit on our menus in season, everywhere from the sweet menu to classic pork dishes.