Crack open the cider this British Food Fortnight
No matter where you’re dating, there’s a British Food Fortnight event taking place near you, so plan a day out with your date and enjoy the best of our home-grown produce.
New York food critic Gael Greene once said; “Great food is like great sex; the more you have the more you want.” And you can have your fill of the best of British produce as British Food Fortnight gets underway on September 19th.
There are hundreds of events taking place all over the UK, so whether you’re a fully fledged foodie or someone who simply enjoys tasty local food, there’s plenty to whet your appetite. Here’s a run down of a few of the events taking place and you can find your own closer to home at the British Food Fortnight website.
The Great British Cheese Festival in Cardiff, 26th – 27th September
The Great British Cheese Festival is a cheese-lover’s Garden of Eden. There will be 100 cheese-makers represented in the Cheese Market which features over 450 British and Irish cheeses so you can rediscover old favourites from Quickes Cheddar, Lincolnshire Poacher and Cornish Yarg to some Stinking Bishop or British goat cheese. For further information visit the Cardiff Castle website.
Hastings Seafood Festival, 19th and 20th September
Seafood and local English wine are the specialties on show at the Hastings Seafood festival taking place in the atmospheric Old Town next to the picturesque fishing beach, the ‘Stade’. There’s music from Louisana, a jazz breakfast on Saturday 19th September, themed talks, cookery demonstrations by local chefs and restaurateurs, stalls of locally landed fish, and vineyard representatives explaining how to match fish with local wine. For a full run down of what’s going on visit the Hastings website.
Cornwall Food Festival, 25th – 27th September
In Lemon Quay, Truro an army of Cornish food and drink producers and chefs will illustrate just why Cornwall is so deserving of its ranking as the UK’s number one food destination outside London. A stellar line up of Cornwall’ top chefs is scheduled, including Great British Menu’s Michelin-starred Nathan Outlaw, Neil Haydock from Fifteen Cornwall, and Kevin Viner of the legendary Viner’s. The Chefs’ Theatre will also feature chefs such as Zac Anderson from the Porthminster Café, and Jude Kereama from Porthleven’s Kota restaurant. Plus there will be a Wine Masterclass with St Austell Brewery’s Master of Wine, Xenia Irwin. Visit http://www.cornwallfoodanddrinkfestival.com for more information.
Norfolk Food Festival, 19th September – 4th October
Running throughout British Food Fortnight, shops, restaurants and producers will be taking part in a countywide celebration of the county’s produce. Actress Amanda Holden and Britain’s Got Talent judge has been announced as a patron of the EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival 2009 alongside Stephen Fry and Galton Blackiston, the Michelin-starred chef of Morston Hall. Visit http://www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk for more information.
Malton Food Lovers Festival, 3rd October
The finest seasonal produce fresh from the Autumn larder takes centre stage at Malton’s Autumn Festival. The Food Lovers Cookery Theatre will have local Michelin starred chef Andrew Pern, from the acclaimed Harome gastro pub The Star at the helm, returning with autumnal recipes, demonstrations and tastings to tempt everyone’s inner gourmet. Joining him will be more local food heroes including cheese makers and cider producers. There will also be strolling musicians, storytellers, face painting, ferret racing and a hog roast! For more details visit www.welovemalton.co.uk
East Midlands Food and Drink Festival, Melton Mowbray, 3rd – 4th October
The UK’s largest regional food and drink event and a paradise for foodies everywhere, this year’s show promises to entertain the whole family. Meet celebrity chefs, enjoy live demonstrations, sample the delights of locally produced food, live music, entertainment and more. This year Anjum Anand from the BBC TV series Healthy Indian Food will be sharing her expertise of Asian cooking. Visit www.eastmidlandsfoodfestival.co.uk for all the details.
York Food Festival, 18th – 27th September
York Food and Drink Festival is set in and around the City’s many amazing historic venues and there’s stalls, tastings and a beer tent in Parliament Street market place plus evening entertainment planned. Visit www.yorkfoodfestival.co.uk for details.
The Big Nibble in Horsham, 26th September
On Saturday, 26 September, the Big Nibble returns to Horsham where visitors will be tempted by unbelievable display of home-baked bread, free range local meat, chutney and pickles, Sussex cheeses, gluggable Sussex wine, award winning Sussex beer, local fruit and vegetables and much more. For more info visit www.thebignibble.co.uk.
Scotland’s Organic Food Festival, Glasgow, 19th –20th September
This is a free event taking place at Old Fruitmarket and Ramshorn Theatre in Glasgow’s Merchant City to showcase the best of Scottish organic food, meet producers, see cookery demonstrationg and tutored tastings hosted by high profile chefs, foodies and gardening experts. Full details can be found at www.soilassociationscotland.org
Peebles Food Festival, 25th –27th September
Launched last year, this three-day event brings together chefs from restaurants, hotels and cafes plus local farmers and producers to put Peebles on the map as a destination for food enthusiasts. Further details can be found on www.peeblesfoodfestival.com
Living Food at Cawdor Castle, 26th September
Living Food will be even bigger this year with over 50 produce stalls, informative food and drink lectures, live music and cookery and more. For details visit http://www.cawdorcastle.com/
Abergavenny Food Festival, 19th –20th September
It’s a weekend of feasting on the Welsh borders with over 150 stalls, master-classes with local chefs, tastings and talks. Visit www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com for more details.
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