TOP celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay last week praised Okehampton to the hilt, during an inspirational talk on how to work together during the credit crunch crisis.
The universally known and talented chef, returning to the town following an earlier visit this year, spoke passionately about Okehampton and its close community during a packed meeting in the Charter Hall.
He said: 'This town is phenomenal. Your strongest asset is you guys as a community. Your assets are yourselves.'
Mr Ramsay's visit was aimed at businesses in Okehampton and the surrounding area, urging them to strive towards growth, and using local produce at an affordable price for both customers and the consumer.
Mr Ramsay said by sticking together, addressing people and listening to what people wanted, businesses in Okehampton could continue to grow and succeed.
He said: 'When was the last time small businesses sat down together and ironed out the issues of the credit crunch?
'This is the time now, not to make money, but a time to survive, to pull together and support each other.'
Focussing on what people wanted to eat when they are in their own homes and eating out was an important topic at the meeting.
Cllr Christine Marsh said how important it was to recognise the economy of the area and the low wages.
Cllr Marsh said: 'Supporting the local community and eating locally produced food is vital, I think businesses need to reflect that.
'What we want is good quality food, with a variety of choice. It's the prices that scare people more than anything else in a restaurant.'
Mr Ramsay invited four Okehampton businesses to join him during the talk. They spoke about how they favoured using local produce over outside goods.
Okehampton butcher Phil Martin said: 'We shop and buy all our meat locally. It is good value for a local product and I would ask anyone to come in and have a word with us and we will do what we can for you.'
Linda Davis from Westlake Orchards Organic Farm spoke about the need to pull together and continue to purchase good honest food.
She said: 'It is imperative that the local people look to buying local food and it's a great opportunity for people to indulge in fine food.
'We are in a highly concentrated area of local food producers, many award winning, who offer us the best quality of food that Devon can supply.'
Mrs Davis said there had been an increase in tourists to the area, which had led to opportunities for local businesses to provide their food through a new scheme, Food Ferry.
Food Ferry offers a new initiative with the West Devon-based Ruby Country initiative, which involves a collection of local food producers filling a box that will provide a family of four with everything they need from local meat to diary products.
'We want to draw out our food and bring it to the thousands of tourists that come into the area,' said Mrs Davis.
Sharpham Wine and Cheese based in Totnes said they would rather sell Westcountry produce to Westcountry people.
'We produce good value wine and the most important thing is that the money spent on our wine stays in the community.'
Asked what they were looking for when eating out or buying produce, most residents at the meeting said they were put off by the price of food, and favoured cottage pies and affordable main meals over fancy dinners.
Mr Ramsay urged businesses to stop turning to national produce and focus more on what is around them.
'Local is what I am concerned about. I'd rather have my locals eat three times a week, than once a month on the back of the price.
'Small businesses are the bedrock of the community, businesses need each other. '
Mr Ramsay said the credit crunch had taken the whole country by storm.
Turning to multimedia nationals meant people were turning their backs on the community, said the chef.
'Okehampton is an amazing town, with such a strong community.
'The quality of this town will be shown,' said Mr Ramsay.