UK Food Events
Coming in 2009 - Food Events to keep in mind...
Guild of Food Writers CookIt! and WriteIt! Competitions
2009
The Guild of Food Writers' annual competitions to discover the best new young chefs and food writers are back for 2009. CookIt! is open to all young cooks between 10 and 14 years old. The theme for 2009 is 'High Five!' - entrants will be asked to create a two-course family meal using five or more different fruit and vegetables. Six finalists will be invited to London on Thursday 4 June 2009, where they will prepare their food in the BBC Good Food magazine kitchens for the panel of judges. Closing date for entries is Thursday 23 April 2009.
WriteIt! is open to students between 15 and 18 years old, this year the competition invites articles on a food-related subject. Looking for a real passion and understanding of the chosen subject such as an inspiring person or place, a restaurant review or even a campaigning article will be judges including Charles Campion and Thomasina Miers. Closing date is Tuesday 3 February 2009.
www.gfw.co.uk
Oxford Farming Conference: The Future of Farming is in Your Hands
Monday 5 January - Wednesday 7 January 2009
The Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford
The 63rd Oxford Farming Conference is a highlight in the agricultural food industry event calendar. This year, speakers include Henrietta, speaking on Wednesday 7 January on Profiting from Consumer Choice, Rosie Boycott, Chair of London Food, Clive Aslet, countryside campaigner and Lord Heseltine.
www.ofc.org.uk
Garden Organic Potato Day
Saturday 24 January - Sunday 25 January 2009, 10am-5pm
Garden Organic Ryton, Coventry
Get to know your tubers at Garden Organic's Potato Day. Buy dozens of different heritage seed varieties and ask the experts for planting, growing and harvesting advice. Saturday is members only, Sunday is open to the general public. Don't forget to look on FoodFinds for mail order heritage potatoes.
Garden Organic
Hampshire Potato Day
Saturday 24 January - Sunday 25 January 2009
Testbourne Community Centre, Micheldever Road, Whitchurch, Hampshire
Start planning your potato planting at the Hampshire Potato Day. Expect talks, planting and growing advice, over 140 varieties of potato, including organic, a potato seed swap, competitions and much more.
Entry £2
Hampshire Potato Day
Burns Night
Sunday 25 January 2009
Look out for Burns Night whisky and food events across the country - 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of his birth. If you fancy celebrating at home, we've got our FoodLovers Guide to Burns Night, with places to buy haggis and whisky, recipes and even bagpipes...
Snowdrop Walk
Saturday 24 January - Sunday 1 March 2009, 12-4pm (except Mon & Tues)
Rode Hall, Scholar Green, Cheshire ST7 3QP
Herald the start of Spring with a gentle stroll through 40 varieties of snowdrops, hellebores, early daffodils and rhododendrons at Rode Hall. The All Saints Parish Church will be decorated for the month with snowdrops and candlelight for a truly spectacular sight.
Entry £3
Contact enquiries@rodehall.co.uk
www.rodehall.co.uk
Farmhouse Breakfast Week
Sunday 25 January - Saturday 31 January 2009
Events across the country
Everyone knows the importance of a good breakfast, but even more important during Farmhouse Breakfast Week is where your breakfast comes from. If you are passionate about using the best regional breakfast produce, enter the Breakfast Champion Competition, or enter the Breakfast quiz, or drop by any of the food events listed on their site. Search for your bacon, sausages and eggs on FoodFinds.
www.farmhousebreakfastweek.com
National Bramley Apple Week
Sunday 1 February - Sunday 8 February 2009
Celebrate the nation's favourite cooking apple not only this week, but all year round as 2009 marks the Bramley Bicentenary. Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire, will be unveiling a stained glass window in honour of the locally-originated apple and there's tons of recipes and events to come on the website.
www.bramleyapples.co.uk
The World's Original Marmalade Day 2009
Sunday 15 February 2009
Dalemain House & Gardens, Dalemain, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0HB
Brighten up the bleak midwinter with a visit to the Marmalade Festival in Cumbria. There's a citrus-themed market, tastings, workshops and the Marmalade Competition. And what would a marmalade festival be without Paddington Bear? His themed games are guaranteed to keep the kids happy.
Entry £3.50, Children Free
Contact Jane Hasell-McCosh 01768 486151
www.marmaladefestival.com
Rye Bay Scallop Festival
Friday 20 February - Saturday 28 February 2009
Rye, East Sussex
The cold winter months might make us miserable, but they are prime time for scallops and other shellfish. Cheer yourself up at the Rye Bay Scallop Festival, where you can feast on shellfish on special tasting menus, watch cooking demonstrations and more.
Entry Free
www.ryebayscallops.co.uk
Fairtrade Fortnight
Monday 23 February - Sunday 8 March 2009
Support Fairtrade Fortnight, an annual food event, by ensuring that your groceries such as tea, coffee, chocolate, herbs and spices, honey and even yoghurt are fairly-traded.
www.fairtrade.org.uk
Olney Pancake Race
Tuesday 24 February 2009
Market Place, Olney, Buckinghamshire MK46 4EF
Legend has it that the Olney Pancake Race started 500 years ago when a harassed housewife heard the shriving bell and rushed to the church still clutching her frying pan and pancake in it. The 415 yard dash from the market place to the church starts at 11.55am precisely on Shrove Tuesday. To enter, you must be a woman, a resident of Olney and be dressed as a housewife in skirt, apron and head covering, tossing a pancake in a pan. The record to beat is last year's 69 seconds - can you do it?
Entry Free
Contact Tony Evans 01234 711 392
Bacon Connoisseur's Week 2009
Monday 16 March - Sunday 22 March 2009
If you fancy yourself as a bacon connoisseur, then why not seek out a different cut or cure to the usual back or streaky rashers? Try Wiltshire - matured for two weeks or a maple cure for a smoky intense flavour. Don't forget bacon collar is great for braising.
www.lovebacon.info
Blossom Walks
From mid-March onwards
Tours at Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham, Kent ME13 8XZ
Cherry season kicks off with beautiful blossom from about mid-March. Brogdale, home of the National Fruit Collection, has 320 varieties of cherry trees, both traditional and modern. You can wander either at your leisure or with a guide to talk you through every stage from blossom to harvest.
Entry To be confirmed
Contact 01795 536 250
www.brogdale.org
Blossom Picnic
April 2009, To be confirmed
Picnic at Northward Hill Cherry Orchard, Kent
Enjoy the cherry orchards in full blossom with a picnic held at the beautiful Northward Hill cherry orchard, accompanied by Japanese flute music.
Contact 01634 338 891 msep@kent.gov.uk
Lancashire Food & Drink Festival
April 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Accrington Town Hall, Blackburn Road, Accrington BB5 1LA
With TV’s Hairy Bikers opening the festival, you know there’s bound to be more on offer than just black pudding and hotpot. So stalls will be selling international goodies as well as traditional Lancashire food and there’s street entertainment and a Festival café when you need a break.
Contact 01254 380 293
www.lancashirefoodfestival.co.uk
Wear Valley Food Festival
April 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL14 7NR
Set against the gorgeous backdrop of Auckland Castle, this festival is a chance to enjoy the best the region has to offer. There are over 40 food stalls selling locally-produced meat, pickles, soups and bread as a taster, craft stalls, demonstrations and entertainment throughout the town.
www.bishopaucklandtown.org
Exeter Festival of Food & Drink
April 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Northernhay Gardens & Exeter Castle, Exeter
Taking place at two of Exeter’s most charming locations, this three-day festival celebrates the finest of the south-west’s produce. There are three food and drink pavilions, a West Country café, a cookery theatre featuring some of the best local chefs and a ‘Food is Fun’ marquee for the kids.
Entry To be confirmed
www.visitsouthwest.co.uk/exeterfoodfestival
Mid Wales Mouthful Food Festival
April 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at The Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys
The Mid Wales Mouthful will be showcasing the best of food and drink from Powys and the bordering counties. Look out for organic Welsh Black beef, Elan Valley mutton and local beer, cider and wine. There will be demonstrations, workshops, tasting galore and a Fruit ‘n’ Vegetorium where you can create your own vegetarian artwork.
Contact glasu@powys.co.uk
www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk/mouthful
Park Farm Cherry Blossom Day
April 2009, To be confirmed
Park Farm Cherry Orchard, Lynsted, Sittingbourne, Kent
What better place for a Spring picnic than a cherry orchard in full blossom? The Park Farm Cherry Orchard has 14 varieties of sweet cherry, mostly Kentish, which will be ripe for PYO later in the season. Meanwhile, lie back, watch the sheep graze and enjoy your picnic.
Contact info@lynsted-orchard.org.uk
www.lynsted-orchard.org.uk
New House Cherry Blossom Day
May 2009, To be confirmed
New House Cherry Orchard, New House Lane, Sheldwich, Faversham, Kent ME13 9QS
See the cherry blossom at its best – Sheldwich orchard isn’t usually open to the public so make the most of the stunning orchard in full bloom.
Contact pippa.palmar@kentdowns.org.uk
www.kentdowns.org.uk
Church Lane Cherry Orchard Walk
May 2009, To be confirmed
Church Lane Cherry Orchard, Church Lane, Stockbury, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7RD
Take a walk through Church Lane Cherry Orchard, looking at the ecosystems of the traditional orchard with Dan Tuson, author of the Kent Downs book.
Contact pippa.palmar@kentdowns.org.uk
www.kentdowns.org.uk
Wholly Herbs
May 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at West Dean College, West Dean, Chichester PO18 0QZ
Herbs are a wonderfully easy thing to grow and can make your garden or windowsill smell glorious as well as enriching your cooking. The Wholly Herbs weekend should give you plenty of new ideas for planting and cooking, but also how to dye with herbs and use them in aromatherapy.
Contact gardens@westdean.org.uk
www.westdean.org.uk
Real Food Festival
Friday 8 May - Sunday 10 May 2009
Festival at Earls Court, London
Following on from the success of 2008, The Real Food Festival returns to Earls Court for 2009. Britain's top food and drink producers will be back, as well as chef demonstrations, tastings, talks and debates, and - of course - the pigs.
www.realfoodfestival.co.uk
Cornish Asparagus Festival
May 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Penmere Manor Hotel, Mongleath Road, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4PN
Feast to your heart's content on the first Cornish asparagus. There will be demonstrations, tastings and talks with Penmere's head chef, entertainment for the kids and a proper Sunday lunch with local produce.
Contact Jo 01326 211 411 jo@penmere.co.uk
www.penmeremanorhotel.co.uk
Eat! Newcastle & Gateshead Food & Drink Festival
May 2009, To be confirmed
Festival throughout Newcastle and Gateshead
Celebrate the finest the north-east has to offer with a month-long celebration of local food and drink. There's a secret restaurant - open for five days only, a restaurant in total darkness to challenge the senses, and everything foodie from urban picnics to foraging.
Entry free
www.newcastlegateshead.com/eat
Ryedale Food Festival
May 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA
To celebrate Yorkshire produce in all its glory, the Ryedale Food Festival offers over 60 local producers, a cookery theatre, producer talks, tours of the ornamental vegetable garden for grow-your-own inspiration and workshops.
Entry Included in Garden pass
Contact 01653 648 444
www.castlehoward.co.uk
British Asparagus Festival
May 2009, To be confirmed
Festival throughout the Vale of Evesham, Worcestershire
The British Asparagus Festival takes place at various venues dotted around the Vale of Evsham, so you can drive from place to place, buying up bunches as you go. There will be a cookery theatre, asparagus auction, a farmers market and asparagus tastings, if you just can't get enough of this British delicacy in its short season.
www.britishasparagusfestival.org
Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling
May 2009, To be confirmed
Competition at Cooper's Hill, Stroud Road, Local Nature Reserve, Gloucester GL4
There are perhaps less frenetic ways to enjoy Diana Smart's Double Gloucester cheeses than chasing them down a hill, but for the more competitive amongst you, this cheese-rolling competition has been enjoyed by the locals for years. There are five races, and the first one down after the cheese wins.
www.cheese-rolling.co.uk
Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
May 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, Scotland
Scotland is renowned for the quality of its produce, and now you can taste for yourself at the Loch Lomond Food Festival. Everything and anything you can imagine, from game, fish, breads, soups, roasting meat, vegetables, to whisky and locally-made ales to wash it all down. There's cookery demonstrations and even a tasting table in the Food Marquee for you to give your opinion on what taste's good.
Entry Free
Contact info@lochlomondshores.com
www.lochlomondfoodanddrinkfestival.com
Bristol Vegan Fayre
May 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at The Amphitheatre & Waterfront Square, Bristol, BS1 5LL
Allegedly the biggest of its kind in the world, the Bristol Vegan Fayre is a kind of Glastonbury for vegans. Whether you're a raw foodie, looking for inspiration; a vegan wanting ideas for alternative clothing or even a committed omnivore - everyone's welcome. There's live music all weekend, over 160 stalls of vegan-friendly produce, cookery demonstrations, workshops and talks.
Entry From £5
www.bristolveganfayre.co.uk
Open Farm Sunday
June 2009, To be confirmed
Events around the country
Open Farm Sunday is a great opportunity to rediscover our glorious countryside and get in touch with the land. Farms around the country will be opening their 5-bar gates to the public to help you learn what it means to be a farmer and taste the produce they offer. Events will be unique to each farm, but expect tractor rides, farmers markets, picnics and nature trails and farm walks.
www.farmsunday.org
Hive Talkin’
2009, To be confirmed
Workshop at Beechenhill Organic Farm, Ilam, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 2BD
The British honey industry and its bees need our support in National Honey Week, and what better way than to take this practical course to bee-keeping to give you a taster. You'll find out how hives work and how to find the queen and harvest honey. There is accommodation available.
Entry £50 or free to Soil Association members
Contact beechenhill@btinternet.com
www.beechenhill.co.uk
Taste of London
June 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Regents Park, London, NW1
Come to have a great day out at Taste of London in Regent’s Park, trying an array of signature dishes prepared by 40 of
www.channel4.com/taste
BBC Good Food Show Summer
10th-14th June 2009
Festival at The NEC, Birmingham
The BBC Good Food Festivals are always the ultimate shows for foodies. This year the Summer Kitchen cookery theatre boasts Gordon Ramsay and James Martin amongst the chefs demonstrating summer recipes, the hall itself will be full of stands offering every kind of food, drink and gadget and FoodLoversBritain.com will be there too with many of our favourite producers selling the best of British food and drink.
Contact 0870 040 0372
BBC Good Food Show Summer
Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival
June 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham GL50 1SD
The Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival will showcase more than 130 producers of the region's best food and drink - look out for FoodLovers Approved The Cheeseworks amongst them. There's a fine wine theatre, a real ale theate and demonstrations from The Hairy Bikers and Raymond Blanc's Cookery School
Contact 01242 227 979
www.garden-events.com
Pembrokeshire Fish Week
27th June - 5th July 2009, To be confirmed
Events throughout Pembrokeshire
Britain has some of the best fish and shelfish in the world and there can be few more enthusiastic places celebrating our good fortune than Pembrokeshire. This 10th anniversary year, there'll be fresh lobster lunches, fish & chip suppers, cookery demonstrations and seaside-inspired art and crafts for all the family. You can even cook your very own catch-of the-day!
Entry Free
Contact 01437 776 168
www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk
Arley Garden Festival
June 2009, To be confirmed
Gardening Festival at Arley Hall, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6NA
Now in its 14th year, the Arley Garden Festival is a true horticultural highlight in the gardener's calendar. There's a Floral Marquee of award-winning displays, specialist nurseries for plants both edible and decorative, a gardeners' road show and question time and tours of the gardens personally conducted by Lord Ashbrook himself.
Contact 01565 777 353
www.arleyhallandgardens.com
Orchards’ Community Play
July, To be confirmed
For a real taste of outdoor theatre, locals will be performing ‘The Orchard Year 70 Years Ago’ amongst the cherry trees.
Contact pippa.palmar@kentdowns.org.uk
www.kentdowns.org.uk
New House Lane Cherry Orchard Walk
July 2009, To be confirmed
New House Cherry Orchard, New House Lane, Sheldwich,
Take a walk through Church Lane Cherry Orchard, looking at the ecosystems of the traditional orchard with Dan Tuson, author of the newly-published Kent Downs book.
Contact pippa.palmar@kentdowns.org.uk
www.kentdowns.org.uk
78th Cherry & Soft Fruit Show
July 2009, To be confirmed
The County Agricultural Showground, Detling, Maidstone, Kent
The Cherry & Soft Fruit Show is held in conjunction with the Kent County Agricultural Show. Their competition for the best cherry exhibit is open to both traditional and modern, white and black varieties. Other areas to explore include 'Why Farming Matters' - farm to fork, as it were, a Countryside area and even 'Dancing Diggers'...
www.kentshowground.co.uk
Dorset Seafood Festival
July 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Brewers Quay, Hope Square, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8TR
Dorset's Seafood Festival has to be one of the fishy highlights in any foodie's calendar. There's cookery demonstrations from Mark Hix and Mitch Tonks, filleting demonstrations, wine-matching, a fresh fish auction and the Seafood Village with tastings of local Dorset fish and shellfish, including crab, lobster and oysters.
Contact 01305 785 747 info@weymoutholdharbour.co.uk
www.dorsetseafood.co.uk
Black Cherry Fair
July 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Abbey Field, Staines Lane, Chertsey, Surrey KT16
The Black Cherry Fair in Chertsey dates back to the 15th century and remains a much-loved local event. Local girls are pronounced Black Cherry Princesses in a procession to Abbey Field, where there will be music, a market and traditional entertainments. Next year, look out for cherry pies and food stalls.
Contact admin@blackcherryfair.com
www.blackcherryfair.com
Pontefract Liquorice Festival
July 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Pontefract Town Centre, Yorkshire WF8 1PG
Pontefract plays host to the Liquorice Festival - your chance to sample real Yorkshire liquorice. There are tastings, locally-produced liquorice products and plants to buy, food stalls and all kinds of activities and street entertainment - even a liquorice Dalek - to keep the kids entertained.
Entry Free
Contact 0845 601 8353 info@pontefractliquorice.co.uk
www.pontefractliquorice.co.uk
Hampshire Food Festival
July 2009
Events across Hampshire
Hampshire is cramming 120 food events into the month of July to celebrate the best of local Hampshire food and drink. There are farm, brewery and vineyard tours, cookery demonstrations, workshops and masterclasses, farmers markets, farm trails and festival menus in restaurants across the county.
Entry Free, depending on the event
Contact hampshire.fare@hants.gov.uk
www.hampshirefare.co.uk
Church Lane Orchard Cherry Day
July 2009, To be confirmed
Church Lane Cherry Orchard, Church Lane, Stockbury, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7RD
Celebrate Cherry Day at Stockbury at their all-day Festival of Fruit.
Contact pippa.palmar@kentdowns.org.uk
www.kentdowns.org.uk
Leigh Food Fair & Classic Car Show
July 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Leigh, Sherborne, Dorset
The Third Food Fair and Classic Car Show in the village of Leigh offers foodie delights galore. You can taste and buy from FoodLovers Approved local producers, which will be on display at the Food Fair, including Bridfish, Dorset Blue Cheese and Soup Company, Fudges, Olives Et Al, Rural Foods, and The Somerset Cider Brandy Co. There will also be an array of classic cars on display.
The money raised from the Food Fair will go to the New Village Hall with a donation to St Andrew’s Church.
Entry Free
Contact Elizabeth Turnbull 01935 873846 julian.turnbull@virgin.net
FoodLovers Britain National Cherry Day
Saturday 18 July 2009
CherryAid, launched by FoodLovers Britain, thanks to the success of CherryAid 2008, will continue next year with events going on across the country celebrating the glorious English cherry on National Cherry Day.
Watch this space for more events happening during the cherry season in 2009 and contact us if you have an event you would like listed or any information you would like on CherryAid.
FoodLovers Britain CherryAid
New House Orchard Cherry Day
July 2009, To be confirmed
New House Cherry Orchard, New House Lane, Sheldwich, Faversham, Kent ME13 9QS
Celebrate Cherry Day at Sheldwich with their all-day Festival of Fruit.
Contact pippa.palmar@kentdowns.org.uk
www.kentdowns.org.uk
Cherry and Strawberry Delights
July 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham, Kent ME13 8XZ
Home of the National Fruit Collection, Brogdale are celebrating the British cherry in style. There will be cooking demonstrations, fruit tastings, talks, tours and walks through the orchards and – naturally – the opportunity to buy cherries of every kind.
Contact 01795 536 250
www.brogdale.org
Mortimer Country Food Fair
Saturday 19 July 2008
Food Fair at Manor Farm Barn, Brampton Bryan, Shropshire SY7 0DH
The Mortimer Country Food Fair is a new event to celebrate the best of Hereford and Shropshire's local, seasonal produce. As well as food talks, book readings, local food stalls and a BBQ, make sure you look out for the freshest British cherries to buy by the basket-full.
Entry Free
www.lowerbuckton.co.uk
Flavours of Faversham
July 2009, To be confirmed
Festival in Faversham, Kent
While you're - hopefully - celebrating National Cherry Day at Brogdale, do make sure you take a wander around nearby Faversham to celebrate their local food festival. There's a tour of Shepherd Neame Brewery, a Food Trail around the town and a local producers' market for picking up goodies.
Contact 01795 542 285 flavours@faversham.org
www.faversham.org
Park Farm Cherry Day
July 2009, To be confirmed
Park Farm Cherry Orchard, Lynsted, Sittingbourne, Kent
One of the rare delights of cherry season can be PYO – although they can be hard to find. However, Park Farm Cherry Orchard are inviting you to come and pick your own on their annual Cherry Day. If you’re feeling less energetic, the cherries can be bought ready-picked.
Contact info@lynsted-orchard.org.uk
www.lynsted-orchard.org.uk
The Big Cheese
July 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Crescent Road, Caerphilly CF83 1AB
Set in the shadows of one of Europe's largest medieval castles, The Big Cheese is an extravaganza of food halls, a countryside marquee, street entertainers, living history encampments, music, dance, traditional funfair, folk dancing, falconry, fire eating, minstrels, troubadours and much more.
Entry free
www.caerphilly.gov.uk/bigcheese
Nantwich International Cheese Show
July 2009, To be confirmed
Show at Dorfold Hall Park, Nantwich CW5 8LD
Having begun as a small cheese show over 100 years ago within the market town of Nantwich, the International Cheese Show has expanded so much - as the name suggests - it is now held in a vast marquee on the edge of town. Expect to find cheese from all four corners of the globe, with classes judging everything from Traditional Farmhouse to Stilton. Tuesday is press and trade day; Wednesday is open to the public.
Contact agl4nantwichshow@aol.com
www.nantwichshow.co.uk
The Innocent Village Fete
August 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Regent's Park, London
The annual Innocent Village Fete gets into the swing of summer again - theres live music, welly-wanging, duck herding, ferret racing, funfair rides and of course a huge farmers market, where you can buy your goodies to feast on in the summer sunshine.
www.innocentvillagefete.com
Cherry Pie Sunday
August 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at The Plough Inn, Cadsdean Road, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire HP27 0NB
The Plough is the only pub in Buckinghamshire to still hold the traditional Cherry Pie Sunday celebrating the end of the cherry-picking season. It’s a real old-fashioned day out – tug of war, a coconut shy, apple dunkings, vintage tractors and steam engines – and, of course, free cherry pies for everyone who attends.
Contact Steve 01844 343 302
www.ploughatcadsden.com
Marine Day: A Festival of the Sea
August 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Port St Mary Quay, Isle of Man IM9 5EA
Celebrate the sea and all it offers at the Marine Day on the Isle of Man. There will be marine touch tanks, talks on sea life including sharks, whales and dolphins and sea birds, demonstrations on net mending and - for those who prefer their sealife edible - fish smoking, crab dressing and cookery demonstrations by The Hairy Bikers, a seafood barbecue, and a fish market.
www.queeniefestival.com
28th British Open Crabbing Championship
August 2009, To be confirmed
Competition at Walberswick, Suffolk
Over a 90 minute period, armed only with a single line and bait of your choice (it can be home-made), the person who lands the heaviest crab wins The British Open Crabbing Championship. You win an engraved silver salver, a gold medal and £50 in prize money, so the small entrance fee is worth it - if you win.
Open Crabbing Championships
World Flounder Tramping Championships
August 2009, To be confirmed
Competition at Glen Isle Peninsula, Palnackie, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland
Competitors brave the mud flats of the Urr Water estuary to try to catch the heaviest flounder - or the smallest, or the largest - by walking across the mud, trapping the fish beneath their feet. They used to use leisters - three-pronged spears - but these are now disallowed, probably on healthy & safety grounds...
Entry Free
www.visitsouthernscotland.co.uk
The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
August 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Main Sandown - Newport Road, The Fighting Cocks Crossroad, PO30 3AR
The Isle of Wight celebrates its position as the UK’s premier garlic growing region with its very own Isle of Wight Garlic Festival. The centre of attention is the Garlic Marquee, with the Isle of Wight’s Golden Clove, which can be found in abundance, including the popular oak-smoked variety. However, there are many other tempting garlic-flavoured products from mussels and other seafood, bread, beer, ice cream and sausages!
Contact info@garlic-festival.co.uk
www.garlic-festival.co.uk
Egton Bridge Gooseberry Show
August 2009, To be confirmed
Competition at St Hedda's Schoolroom, Egton Bridge, Yorkshire
The Egton Bridge Gooseberry Show is one of the very few remaining gooseberry shows left, and at over 200 years old, it's a stalwart of the fruit shows. Growers from all over the country compete to win the prize for the heaviest berry - measured in apothecary drams and grains - across all the glorious colour categories.
Entry Free
Contact 01947 810 332
Levens Hall Chilli Fest
August 2009
Festival at Levens Hall, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 0PD
Anything and everything chilli is on sale to buy or eat at the Chilli Fest at Levens Hall. Think traditional produce with a twist, including sauces, jams, chocolate, ice cream and beer. There will be cookery demonstrations, chilli plants to take home of every variety and salsa dancing to get you in the rhythm.
Entry Free
www.levenshall.co.uk
West Dean Chilli Fiesta
August 2009, TO be confirmed
Festival at West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ
You can't get much hotter than the Chilli Fiesta at West Dean. Over 250 varieties of chillies will be on display to taste, including Wildfire, Titanic and even Carrot. There's cookery demonstrations, growing tips and products from chocolate to ice cream, including Ouse Valley's Red Chilli Jelly. And there's Latin salsa to keep the tempo high.
Entry £7.25
www.westdean.org.uk
Pershore Plum Festival
August 2009
Festival at Pershore, Worcestershire
The Pershore Plum Fair runs throughout the whole of the month of August, culminating in a grand finale on August Bank Holiday. There's an exhibition touring through Pershore, a plethora of plum varieties to try and trees to grow your own, a plum stone rhyming competition, treasure hunt and a farmers market.
Entry Free
www.pershoreplumfestival.org.uk
Foodies at the Festival
August 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at The Sheraton Hotel & Festival Square, Edinburgh EH3 9SR
Foodies at the Festival is brand new this year - and the perfect place to make the most of gorgeous Scottish food and drink. There will be whisky and real ale tastings, a local produce market with chefs from local restaurants advising on their best dishes, a cookery theatre and, of course, plenty to eat and drink.
Contact enquiries@foodiesfestival.com
www.foodiesfestival.com
A Thought for Food
September 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Stansted Park, Rowlands Castle, Hampshire PO9 6DX
The lawns of Stansted Park will be turned into a traditional English village - complete with nadstand of course - to celebrate the first Thought for Food. You'll find over 100 local and regional food producers, selling everything from Dorset blueberries to local seafood. a kids' cookery school, demonstrations, wine tastings and even a charity tea dance.
www.athoughtforfood.co.uk
Totally Tomato Show
September 2009, To be confirmed
Show at West Dean Gardens, West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0QZ
If you're a tomato fan, you'll be in heaven at the Totally Tomato Show at West Dean. With over 150 varieties on show from the walled kitchen garden and Victorian glasshouses, revelling in glorious names such as Brandywine and Purple Calabash, there will also be cookery demonstrations, growing tips and tastings and tomatoes and tomato-based products, including those by Ouse Valley, to buy.
Contact 01243 818 210
www.westdean.org.uk
Lobster & Crab Feast
September 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Clovelly, Devon
Bideford Bay lobsters, a seafod kitchen on the quay, crab demonstrations, fresh fish stalls, wine tastings - all part of the Lobster & Crab Feast in Clovelly when the local seafood is at its best.
ww2.clovelly.co.uk
Ludlow Food Festival
Friday 11 September - Sunday 13 September 2009, 10am start
Festival at Ludlow, Shropshire
With more than 130 of the region's best food and drink producers, Ludlow Marches Food Festival is considered by many to be the top foodie destination festivals on the calendar. With taste workshops, cookery demonstrations, a food fair in Ludlow Castle and food trails on everything from sausages to beer, you can be sure your tastebuds will be challenged.
Entry from £5.50
Contact info@foodfestival.co.uk
www.foodfestival.co.uk
Speciality & Fine Food Fair
September 2009, To be confirmed
Fair at Grand Hall Olympia, London
A real boon for the trade, The Speciality & Fine Food Fair - now in its 8th year - continues to showcase the best in the business. This year there will be 700 producers offering their produce as well as the new Speciality Chocolate Fair, Great Taste Awards and the Fine Food Forum.
Entry Free - Not open to members of the public
www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk
FishstockBrixham
September 2009
Festival at Fish Quay, Brixham, Devon
FishstockBrixham is the first evet Seafood & Music Festival. A true 'boat to throat' experience and part of National Seafood Fortnight, look out for the seafood and drink pavilion, cookery classes, fresh fish stalls, with a music festival in the evening.
Entry £5
www.fishstockbrixham.co.uk
South Gloucestershire Local Food & Drink Festival
September 2009
Festival throughout South Gloucestershire
Visit a farm, bakery or brewery and see where your local food and drink is produced or watch
Local Food & Drink Festival
Oxford Symposium on Food & Cookery
September 2009
Conference at St Catherine's College, Oxford
This year's Oxford Symposium focuses on Vegetables: as foodstuffs, symbols and as part of the whole of the human diet, with discussion on ideas such as bio-diversity, history, vegetarianism in all its guises, global spread, science and agriculture.
Contact patsy@oxfordsymposium.org.uk
www.oxfordsymposium.org.uk
World Black Pudding Throwing Championships
September 2009
Competition at The Royal Oak, Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, Lancashire
The aim of the Black Pudding Throwing Championships - the principal ingredient being famously made in nearby Bury - is to throw a black pudding 'swaddled' or wrapped in tights at a collection of Yorkshire puddings on a 20 foot high plinth against the side of the pub. Whoever knocks down the most wins in this foodie take on skittles.
Contact a.frost@bury.gov.uk
World Black Pudding Throwing Championships
Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival
September 2009
Festival along the East Suffolk coast
A week-long celebration of the best food and drink East Suffolk has to offer - taking place along the coast from Southwold to Woodbridge - culminates in a two-day extravaganza at Snape Maltings. Over 70 producers will be offering goodies, there are tastings, demonstrations, workshops and even trips out.
www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk
Hastings Seafood & Wine Festival
19th - 20th September 2009
Festival at The Stade Fishing Beach, Old Town, Hastings, East Sussex
This winner of the TSE sponsored Tourism ExSEllence Award in the 'Flavour of the South East' category is perfect for a lazy summer's day at the beach. The Seafood & Wine Festival offers a fresh fish and game barbecue, stalls selling local seafood and a wine tent with English wine from Carr Taylor Vineyards, all against a background of jazz.
www.visit1066country.com
Stratford-upon-Avon Festival of Food
Friday 25 September - Sunday 27 September 2009
Recreation Ground, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
With an idyllic riverside setting, Stratford-upon-Avon's Festival of Food event returns in 2009, with a firm focus on local produce. Chefs from nearby hotels will showcase their work and the new Marketplace Marquee will feature local producers and exhibitors.
Entry TBC
Contact julie@stratfordtcm.co.uk
www.stratfordfoodfestival.co.uk
Abergavenny Food Festival
September 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Abergavenny, Wales
Over 50 food-themed events are on offer at the Abergavenny Food Festival, with everything from a cheese and wine show, street food, cookery competitions and demonstrations and food sculpture.
Contact 01873 850805
www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com
RSPCA Freedom Food Farm Animal Week
September 2009
RSPCA Freedom Food Farm Animal Week highlights how just a few small changes to your food shopping can bring about real change for farm animals. There are events around the country - see below for details. For more information on Farm Animal Week, to calculate your animal welfare footprint, recipes and for FoodLovers Approved Freedom Food Producers, see our Freedom Food page.
Levels' Best Food Market
September 2009, To be confirmed
Market at Old Stable Courtyard, Montacute House, Yeovil, Somerset
Richard Guest, chef at nearby Taunton House, will be at Levels' Best Market in Somerset, signing copies of his book Jam with Lamb and give away signed recipe cards. Drop in and browse the food market, full of local food and drink.
Contact Somerset Food Links 01458 241 401
www.levelsbest.co.uk
The Pomegranate Tree
Culinary Evening at The Cookbook Cafe, The Intercontinental, London
Join chefs Paul Merrett and Theo Randall for a culinary evening - cocktails, cookery demonstrations, cooking and wine tips and tastings and the chance to bid for a top chef to cook in your own home. All proceeds to the Medical Foundation, for the care of victims of torture.
Entry £68
Contact events@torturecare.org.uk 020 7697 7755
www.torturecare.org.uk/thepomegranatetree
Great British Cheese Festival
September 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, Wales
The Great British Cheese Festival is one of the largest cheese celebrations in the country and, for the first time, has moved to dramatic Cardiff Castle. The cheese market has over 460 different cheeses to taste and buy, there are cheesemaking demonstrations and workshops and every kind of cheese accompaniment you might think of. Take a look at our Championing Cheese page for more places to buy and eat.
www.thecheeseweb.com
Cornwall Food & Drink Festival
September 2009
Festival at Festival Marquee, Lemon Quay, Truro, Cornwall
Now in its fifth year, the Cornwall Food & Drink Festival boasts over 60 food producers whose food and drink you can sample and buy. This year they are opening a Michelin table - seven local chefs will create a unique lunch menu for 10 paying guests. Of course there's pasty-crimping contests, a goats meat cookery demonstration and a local vs continental cheese tasting competition.
www.cornwallfoodanddrinkfestival.com
South Somerset Food Festival
September 2009
Festival in South Somerset
There's masses going on in South Somerset to celebrate the area's local food and drink. There's foodie walks, cider tastings, food matching, pig demonstrations and butchery, Spudfest, a wild food day and the Apple Fayre and seafood festival if you're still feeling perky.
www.southsomersetfoodfestival.com
Dartmouth Food Festival
October 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Market Square, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 9QE
With the ports of Brixham and Dartmouth on one side, offering the freshest local seafood, the River Dart's shellfish, the rolling hills of the South Hams providing beef and lamb, Dartmouth Food Festival certainly has it all. The whole town comes to life for a weekend of food and drink heaven, with local chefs cooking up a storm in the Market Square.
www.dartmouthfoodfestival.co.uk
Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2008
October 2009, To be confirmed
Festival Pavilion, Hardman Boulevard, Spinningfields, off Deansgate, Manchester
Manchester Food and Drink Festival, now in its 10th year, is an established 11-day celebration of all that is exciting and innovative on the Manchester food scene. A huge programme of events take place throughout the city, aiming to show you the best there is to offer of local food and drink.
Entry Individual events may be priced
www.foodanddrinkfestival.com
The Bidwells Norwich & Norfolk Food Festival
October 2009, To be confirmed
Across Norwich
Supporting local food and drink producers across the county, The Bidwells Norwich & Norfolk Food Festival is running for a whole week this year, with food tastings, chef demonstrations and special menus on offer.
Contact tourism@visitnorwich.co.uk
www.visitnorwich.co.uk
The Golden Spurtle Porridge Making Championships
October 2009, TBC
Contest at Carrbridge, Inverness-shire, Scotland
It's perhaps not doubted that the Scottish make the best porridge, so who better to hold the 16th annual Porridge Making Championships. Entrants must make 1 pint of traditional porridge with their choice of oatmeal - not oat flakes - and they are judged on consistency, colour and taste. The winner receives - of course - the Golden Spurtle Award.
www.goldenspurtle.com
National Chocolate Week
October 2009, TBC
With a particular focus on British chocolatiers, National Chocolate Week will be taking place in chocolate shops around the country. Look out for talks, tastings, demonstrations, sculptures - almost anything and everything chocolate-based. There are special offers and discounts available in nominated shops.
www.chocolate-week.co.uk
Royal Parks Half Marathon
October 2009, TBC
Starting and finishing at Hyde Park, London
The second London half marathon takes place this October in Hyde Park.
www.royalparkshalf.com
Aberfoyle International Mushroom Festival
October 2009, TBC
Festival at Aberfoyle, The Trossachs, Scotland
The annual mushroom festival in Aberfoyle usually has an international flavour to accompany the fungi forays, wine tastings and cookery demonstrations. For more on foraging, visit our Uncover the Wild feature.
Contact enquiries@visitaberfoyle.com
www.visitaberfoyle.com
Cider Making Festival
October 2009, TBC
Festival at The Cider Museum, Pomona Place, Hereford, HR4 0LW
The traditions of cider-making are coming back into fashion. See it for yourself at the Cider Museum in Hereford, where they will be holding demonstrations, tutored tastings, giving away samples of cider and cider brandy. Look out for other countryside activites, including blacksmithing and children's activities. Check out Falling for Apples on making your own cider.
Contact enquiries@cidermuseum.co.uk
www.cidermuseum.co.uk
Too Many Critics... 2009
October 2009, TBC
Dinner at Royal Exchange Grand Cafe & Bar, London EC3V 3LR
Action Against Hunger invites you to join the most celebrated chefs and renowned restaurant reviewers at Too Many Critics, an exclusive fundraising feast - the critics will lay down their pens and don their chef whites to prepare an exclusive five course banquet judged by some of the UK's finest chefs.
All proceeds go to Action Against Hunger.
Contact a.rowlands@aahuk.org 020 8293 6138
Waterperry Apple Weekend
October 2009, TBC
Festival at Waterperry Gardens, Wheatley, Oxfordshire
Get your mystery apples identified by the professionals at the Apple Weekend at Waterperry Gardens. They grow over 50 varieties themselves, and are offering orchard tours and advice on growing apples as part of the festivities.
For more information on apples, open our Little Green Book - Falling for Apples
www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
Apple Affair
October 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at West Dean Gardens, West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex
West Dean's walled Victorian kitchen garden grows over 100 varieties of apples, all of which will be on display and featuring in the various apple-based food and drink goodies on sale during the weekend.
For more information on apples, open our Little Green Book - Falling for Apples
www.westdean.org.uk
The Big Apple
October 2009, To be confirmed
Festival around Much Marcle, Herefordshire
The Big Apple weekend is one of the biggest apple celebrations in the country. Tour the villages around Much Marcle - the main events will be centred around the Grand Barn in Hellens - for apple tastings, apple trails, cider tastings, apple ID, orchard walks and much more.
For more information on apples, open our Little Green Book - Falling for Apples
www.bigapple.org.uk
National Baking Week
October 2009, To be confirmed
Rosemary Shrager of Swinton Park Cookery School is launching National Baking Week this year. You'll find Rosemary's tips and recipes on the website, as well as the Baking Blog, to re-discover the joy of baking your own.
www.nationalbakingweek.com
Pumpkin & Halloween Olympics
October 2009, To be confirmed
Festival at Arley Hall, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6NA
If you couldn't get to Beijing, you should still be able to make it to Arley Hall's Pumpkin Olympics. There's athletic events - with pumpkins - organised including shotput and bowling, and there's also the Pumpkin Challenge with prizes for the biggest, best decorated and best lantern.
www.arleyhallandgardens.com
Devon Celebration of Food - Free Champagne!!
October 2008, To Be Confirmed
Dinner at The Red Lion, The Quay, Clovelly, Devon EX39 5TF
FREE CHAMPAGNE
Here is a simple way to brighten up your October. Get over to the Red Lion at Clovelly and tuck into a seafood platter for only £10.50! With it comes a fine glass of champagne, “on the house”. Turn up for lunch and enjoy a real treat at a modest price. And as for freshness, the Clovelly fishermen land their catches right alongside the Red Lion, so the quality is supreme. It is therefore not surprising that seafood is the top choice in the Harbour Restaurant and why it has been chosen as the Clovelly dish for the Devon Celebration of Food. Reserve a table on 01237 431237.