Meet the chefs behind Exmoor Seasonal Dining Experiences: Ilona Pettigrew of The Spicy Mare and Dasha Moughton of The Vanilla Pod. Together, they bring thoughtful cooking, seasonal ingredients and a shared belief in generous hospitality.
Their collaboration is shaped by two distinct voices at the table, brought together by a common approach: food that feels grounded, well judged and full of care.
THE VANILLA POD
Through The Vanilla Pod, Dasha Moughton brings a calm, ingredient-led approach to the table. Her cooking is thoughtful and precise, with an eye for balance, seasonality and the small details that make a meal feel considered.
Her work reflects a quiet confidence: food that is generous without excess, clear in flavour, and rooted in the pleasure of feeding people well.
THE SPICY MARE
Through The Spicy Mare, Ilona Pettigrew brings warmth, character and bold flavour to the table. Her cooking is shaped by instinct, hospitality and a strong respect for ingredients, with dishes that feel vibrant, generous and full of life.
There is a natural energy to her food, but also restraint: a sense of when to lift, when to balance, and when to let the ingredients speak for themselves.
Exmoor Seasonal Dining Experiences brings these two chefs together around one shared table. The result is a series of intimate, chef-led evenings shaped by season, place and wider culinary traditions.
Each menu is built with care, but the experience goes beyond the plate. Pace, welcome and atmosphere matter too. The aim is not spectacle, but a table that feels thoughtful, generous and well held.
View upcoming events and book a place at the next Exmoor Seasonal Dining Experience.