Hearty Food – catering in Devon & beyond
Jenny Hart 02/02/2024 we had a great meal for our annual choir get-together. This is not the first time we have used outside caterers, but this meal was special - not much left over - everyone enjoyed it very much, plus the easy-going attitude of val and jez. a great night to remember! 
Susan Owens 03/10/2023 When we decided to celebrate a Big Birthday as a family party of 12 in a beautiful holiday rental in Devon, we decided that it would be a good idea to hold the birthday dinner in style in the house with a competent caterer who could accommodate our various food requirements - 1 vegan, 5 vegetarians, 1 gluten-free and the rest omnivores. After some research, I settled on Val MacArthur’s well presented website, Hearty Foods. I contacted her and was immediately impressed by her swift response, her understanding of my requirements, her selection of menus and her obvious competence.
After several communications by email and telephone, I took Val’s advice and settled on Middle Eastern Sharing platters, as all our varying needs could easily be accommodated by that style of cooking. We tweaked her basic menu slightly and all arrangements were put in place.
On the day, Val arrived precisely as arranged, with everything prepped and ready. Her charming assistant was employed to help serve, clear dishes, and generally facilitate the proceedings.
The food was absolutely amazing! Every dish was subtle but so very tasty, beautifully spiced and presented. Our guests were hugely impressed with the feast - every dish was a masterpiece in fresh ingredients and subtle spicing. I personally could have eaten the entire spanakopita myself, I’ve eaten it in so many places but this was an absolute winner. Her freshly prepared sourdough focaccia went down very well with the delicious dips as part of the starter course, the spicy tamarind and honey prawns, yummy marinated beef with labneh and various lovely salads all warrant a mention. All our several dietary requirements were catered for beautifully.
After the feast, Val and her assistant cleared every trace of prep and cooking, the dishwasher was stacked and she vanished as efficiently as she’d arrived, leaving behind 12 very happy and replete diners.
I can thoroughly recommend using Val’s services and I will surely be in touch with her for the next official celebration in my life!
Sent from my iPad 
Ruth 14/09/2023 We were SO fortunate that Val was available to cater for my parent's 70th birthday celebrations - it really made their day. We decided that we wanted a high quality caterer, who used good quality local produce, to really make the event special. Val was worth every penny. Around 50 friends and family attended the event at our local lawn tennis club and EVERYONE commented on how delicious the food was. From the first point of contact Val's communication was excellent - listening carefully to what we wanted, designing a wonderful selection of exceptionally fresh, tasty, healthy food that catered for everyone's needs and dietary requirements - and keeping us up to date. Val arrived promptly on the day with her assistant, Lou, and organised everything seamlessly - we were really impressed. The food was exceptional and Val had judged the quantities really well (a real skill!) with plenty for everyone but not too much that there was lots left over afterwards. Val had a relaxed, professional, dedicated, and friendly approach and nothing was too much trouble. Many of our guests complimented Val throughout the event on her dishes (including the vegans who were delighted with the the options they had and explained that often, at buffets, their options are rather limited or dull). Val also made sure that everything was cleared up after the event which was really appreciated. Hearty Food will be TOP of our list for any catering in the future - absolutely brilliant - exceeded all expectations. Would highly recommend. 
Steve Liddicoat 13/09/2023 Val provided a buffet lunch for 50 people to celebrate our 70th birthdays. She couldn’t have been more helpful in coming up with a menu and her suggestions worked really well. We had so many compliments about the food and our vegan/vegetarian guests were particularly impressed : they said that it was such a wonderful surprise to be provided with such imaginative and tasty dishes which catered for their dietary needs.
Not only did she provide us with a feast but she set out all the food, served it and cleared up afterwards so we didn’t have to lift a finger. It all happened seamlessly.
When we need a caterer again, Val will be our first port of call but I hope that we aren’t shooting ourselves in the foot by singing her praises : we have a horrid feeling that she may be in such demand when we next have need of her that she will struggle to fit us in ! 
JOHN HASPINEALL 20/08/2023 A very special celebration was made memorable by the exceptional menu and bespoke cake provided by Hearty Food. Thank you Val and team! 
Mary-Vere Parr 12/06/2023 Val cooked a variety of meals for a party varying from 5 to 9 people staying in a self-catering cottage over a weekend. Her menus were imaginative, fresh, well planned and skilfully executed. Val cooked in situ on two evenings, coping brilliantly with the vagaries of a strange kitchen, and delivered a variety of cold salads for a Sunday lunch. She was very organised and a pleasure to have around.. 
Helen McKenna 30/05/2023 Val created the most incredible feast for our wedding of 50 at home. She listened to what we wanted, created the menu of canapés, several curries and Indian side dishes, as well as the most beautifully presented and delicious desserts (which included several dietary requirements and allergies) and almost single-handedly prepared the food. She managed the serving staff and cleared away. The food was extraordinary, and she was the utmost professional. We feel very lucky to have found her, and would hire her again in an instant. 
Ty Sanderson 09/05/2023 Hearty Food catered for us at a recent event over the Coronation weekend. They were nothing short of brilliant. Val, with her assistant Lou, provided a four course meal on Saturday night and a 2 course dinner on the Sunday.
We had a vegetarian, a pescatarian and a dairy free coeliac. These were not a challenge for Val. Her food was commented on by all of our party of 15 as being so tasty and fresh. It is clear she only uses good ingredients.
The communication prior to and during the event was also a great experience. I cannot recommend them highly enough. 
Naomi Swales 23/01/2023 Val provided the most amazing food for our Christmas party. We wanted something non-traditional and Val came up with a fabulous menu. Her thoughtfulness with regards to allergies was most appreciated. Thank you 
Saran Panes 12/01/2023 Val had very short notice to take on the catering for our family Christmas this year .There were 15 of us and she provided excellent food three times a day for four days . We were all delighted and her contribution made the time together very special .The five stars above are well deserved .
Jenny Hart
02/02/2024
we had a great meal for our annual choir get-together. This is not the first time we have used outside caterers, but this meal was special - not much left over - everyone enjoyed it very much, plus the easy-going attitude of val and jez. a great night to remember!
Susan Owens
03/10/2023
When we decided to celebrate a Big Birthday as a family party of 12 in a beautiful holiday rental in Devon, we decided that it would be a good idea to hold the birthday dinner in style in the house with a competent caterer who could accommodate our various food requirements - 1 vegan, 5 vegetarians, 1 gluten-free and the rest omnivores. After some research, I settled on Val MacArthur’s well presented website, Hearty Foods. I contacted her and was immediately impressed by her swift response, her understanding of my requirements, her selection of menus and her obvious competence.
After several communications by email and telephone, I took Val’s advice and settled on Middle Eastern Sharing platters, as all our varying needs could easily be accommodated by that style of cooking. We tweaked her basic menu slightly and all arrangements were put in place.
On the day, Val arrived precisely as arranged, with everything prepped and ready. Her charming assistant was employed to help serve, clear dishes, and generally facilitate the proceedings.
The food was absolutely amazing! Every dish was subtle but so very tasty, beautifully spiced and presented. Our guests were hugely impressed with the feast - every dish was a masterpiece in fresh ingredients and subtle spicing. I personally could have eaten the entire spanakopita myself, I’ve eaten it in so many places but this was an absolute winner. Her freshly prepared sourdough focaccia went down very well with the delicious dips as part of the starter course, the spicy tamarind and honey prawns, yummy marinated beef with labneh and various lovely salads all warrant a mention. All our several dietary requirements were catered for beautifully.
After the feast, Val and her assistant cleared every trace of prep and cooking, the dishwasher was stacked and she vanished as efficiently as she’d arrived, leaving behind 12 very happy and replete diners.
I can thoroughly recommend using Val’s services and I will surely be in touch with her for the next official celebration in my life!
Sent from my iPad
Ruth
14/09/2023
We were SO fortunate that Val was available to cater for my parent's 70th birthday celebrations - it really made their day. We decided that we wanted a high quality caterer, who used good quality local produce, to really make the event special. Val was worth every penny. Around 50 friends and family attended the event at our local lawn tennis club and EVERYONE commented on how delicious the food was. From the first point of contact Val's communication was excellent - listening carefully to what we wanted, designing a wonderful selection of exceptionally fresh, tasty, healthy food that catered for everyone's needs and dietary requirements - and keeping us up to date. Val arrived promptly on the day with her assistant, Lou, and organised everything seamlessly - we were really impressed. The food was exceptional and Val had judged the quantities really well (a real skill!) with plenty for everyone but not too much that there was lots left over afterwards. Val had a relaxed, professional, dedicated, and friendly approach and nothing was too much trouble. Many of our guests complimented Val throughout the event on her dishes (including the vegans who were delighted with the the options they had and explained that often, at buffets, their options are rather limited or dull). Val also made sure that everything was cleared up after the event which was really appreciated. Hearty Food will be TOP of our list for any catering in the future - absolutely brilliant - exceeded all expectations. Would highly recommend.
Steve Liddicoat
13/09/2023
Val provided a buffet lunch for 50 people to celebrate our 70th birthdays. She couldn’t have been more helpful in coming up with a menu and her suggestions worked really well. We had so many compliments about the food and our vegan/vegetarian guests were particularly impressed : they said that it was such a wonderful surprise to be provided with such imaginative and tasty dishes which catered for their dietary needs.
Not only did she provide us with a feast but she set out all the food, served it and cleared up afterwards so we didn’t have to lift a finger. It all happened seamlessly.
When we need a caterer again, Val will be our first port of call but I hope that we aren’t shooting ourselves in the foot by singing her praises : we have a horrid feeling that she may be in such demand when we next have need of her that she will struggle to fit us in !
JOHN HASPINEALL
20/08/2023
A very special celebration was made memorable by the exceptional menu and bespoke cake provided by Hearty Food. Thank you Val and team!
Mary-Vere Parr
12/06/2023
Val cooked a variety of meals for a party varying from 5 to 9 people staying in a self-catering cottage over a weekend. Her menus were imaginative, fresh, well planned and skilfully executed. Val cooked in situ on two evenings, coping brilliantly with the vagaries of a strange kitchen, and delivered a variety of cold salads for a Sunday lunch. She was very organised and a pleasure to have around..
Helen McKenna
30/05/2023
Val created the most incredible feast for our wedding of 50 at home. She listened to what we wanted, created the menu of canapés, several curries and Indian side dishes, as well as the most beautifully presented and delicious desserts (which included several dietary requirements and allergies) and almost single-handedly prepared the food. She managed the serving staff and cleared away. The food was extraordinary, and she was the utmost professional. We feel very lucky to have found her, and would hire her again in an instant.
Ty Sanderson
09/05/2023
Hearty Food catered for us at a recent event over the Coronation weekend. They were nothing short of brilliant. Val, with her assistant Lou, provided a four course meal on Saturday night and a 2 course dinner on the Sunday.
We had a vegetarian, a pescatarian and a dairy free coeliac. These were not a challenge for Val. Her food was commented on by all of our party of 15 as being so tasty and fresh. It is clear she only uses good ingredients.
The communication prior to and during the event was also a great experience. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Naomi Swales
23/01/2023
Val provided the most amazing food for our Christmas party. We wanted something non-traditional and Val came up with a fabulous menu. Her thoughtfulness with regards to allergies was most appreciated. Thank you
Saran Panes
12/01/2023
Val had very short notice to take on the catering for our family Christmas this year .There were 15 of us and she provided excellent food three times a day for four days . We were all delighted and her contribution made the time together very special .The five stars above are well deserved .
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