Way back in 1990 an idea was hatched to celebrate the quality and variety of Cornish food and highlight how it was produced. The Cornwall Food & Farming Pavilion at the Royal Cornwall Show was born.

The catalyst was the year of British food and farming during 1989. Show organisers, the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, along with members of what is now the Cornwall Food & Farming Group were inspired. They wanted to create something to showcase the very best of the quality local produce, lovingly reared and grown in the county’s fields, but also to give Cornish producers the opportunity to engage with the end consumer.

Only two of the eight exhibitors in the first year were food producers. Hilary Wood of the Cornwall Food & Farming Pavilion, who has helped organise the event since 2001, said: “There just weren’t the food producers around.”

One of the original exhibitors, renowned Cornish clotted cream purveyors Rodda’s, has been ever present. Nicholas Rodda, managing director of the company, said; “We are proud that we were one of the first Cornish businesses to be involved with the Cornwall Food & Farming Pavilion at the Royal Cornwall Show when it launched 25 years ago.

“The show provides a great opportunity for us to talk to our farmers and customers as well as like-minded food companies, whilst also showcasing our produce to the Cornish community.”

With more and more local producers emerging over years, the Cornwall Food & Farming Pavilion has grown considerably. This year it will house more than 50 Cornish food and drink producers within its three huge marquees.

Being part of the event is the highlight of the year for Sarah Trewhella of Helford Creek Apple Juice & Cyder. She said; “We are involved because of the camaraderie, the challenge and excitement each year brings. We have regular customers who faithfully visit us.

“It’s a very important way of promoting our business and it still gives us a tremendous satisfaction to go home with empty boxes of something we’ve made.”

The owners of Deli Farm Charcuterie were won over well before creating their own Cornish food enterprise, as Jean Edwards explained; ”Before we started the business we always visited the Pavilion and would purchase lots of wonderful foods that were difficult to find anywhere else.

“Becoming part of this event was one of our ambitions when we started. This will be our ninth year exhibiting. It has a brilliant atmosphere and buzzes from first thing in the morning until it closes.”

Angela Parker from Callestick Farm, makers of Cornish ice cream using milk from their own dairy herd, shares Jean’s enthusiasm. She said; “We love being involved as we consider it the best county show there is and very ably demonstrates Cornwall and what she has to offer. The Cornwall Food & Farming Pavilion has a fantastic reputation around the country.

“We became involved 12 years ago as we wanted to present our products to a wider audience. It was a daunting challenge, but every year we have the same excitement.

“So many Cornish people attend the show and have a good time. Part of the experience for them is sampling great local food and drink. Of course an essential part of a good day out is having an ice cream!”