Michael honoured with key Devon County Show role

The Devon County Agricultural Association has announced Exeter celebrity chef Michael Caines MBE as President of the 2024 Devon County Show.

Beyond his success in the kitchen, Michael has proven himself a visionary hotelier, a dedicated patron and fundraiser for national and local charities. He is also a devoted advocate of farming and food in Devon – a passion that will be reflected in all his plans as President for this year’s show. 

Commenting on his role as President, Michael said: “Food and farming are of course at the very heart of the Devon County Show. The two are inextricably linked – as there can be no food future without farming.

"Farmers are the caretakers of the land and providers of our regional larder. Chefs are story tellers, as are our suppliers and they connect this unique tapestry of our woven landscape to the very communities that live, work and thrive within this wonderful county of Devon.

"We must therefore protect and champion our indigenous and heritage breeds, celebrate our biodiversity, protect our ancient woodlands, orchards, wetlands and grasslands and as stewards of the countryside, embrace the need for the adoption of Regenerative Farming techniques – a need that becomes ever more urgent as we face a climate emergency."

Michael added: "It’s by working together at events such as the Devon County Show, where communities with a truly diverse audience come together and are prime for getting the conversation started and forging partnerships, that will help create a better future for Devon, Food and Farming.

"To my mind, Devon has the finest larder in the UK and Devon County Show 2024 will certainly showcase this.  I am delighted to be able to introduce some of the most talented chefs from Devon – winners of 'South West Chef of the Year' supported by Students from Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College, who will be performing cooking demonstrations throughout the duration of the show. Championing my vision, they will demonstrate alongside suppliers and connect the audience to our regional larder and celebrate its provenance.  

I have been working behind the scenes at the show for some time now and have and met so many of the extraordinary people charged with running this annual event. 

"We have much to celebrate, and we choose to do so every year at the Devon County Show.”

The Devon County show 2024 takes place at Westpoint Exeter on Thursday 16^th Friday 17^th and Saturday 18^th May.