As summer fades along with the holiday tan and autumn slams up against the door there has to be some consolation. That comfort comes with the abundance of food and drink ready for the plucking, slurping and the cooking right now. The only thing you need to do, is to invite all your friends and family members to join you on this delightful adventure of taste! Here are The Staff Canteen's tips for the Food Festivals we think are worth your while.
When: 4th - 6th September Where: Nantwhich, Cheshire
The Nantwich Food and Drink Festival takes place over the first weekend in September each year in the historic market town of Nantwich, Cheshire. It is one of the few UK food festivals based in a town centre and makes the most of this lovely Cheshire town, which is full of independent shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. During the festival, Nantwich is transformed into a food lovers’ paradise, with two huge marquee food halls filled to the brim with delicious treats, wines, beers, cheeses, pies, preserves and more, as well as a wide variety of street food stalls – not to mention delicious ice cream sold straight out of the cutest van you have ever seen! The chef demonstration marquee features the best talents of Cheshire with workshops for both adults and children. Local restaurants, pubs and businesses join in and host their own events from beer festivals to quizzes, kids cooking to tastings, and there is street entertainment and live music too.
When: 4th - 6th September Where: Woking Town Centre
The third Woking Food and Drink Festival will take place from 4 to 6 September 2015. The three-day festival will be held in Woking Town Centre and will feature live culinary demos from prestigious local and celebrity chefs, including Monica Galetti, chef and co-presenter and judge on BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals, John Whaite, Great British Bake Off 2012 winner, Michael Wignall, head chef of two Michelin starred The Latymer at Pennyhill Park, and many more. >>>Read our interview with Monica Galetti here Over 70 food and drinks stalls, featuring local and regional produce and dishes, masterclasses at Tante Marie Culinary Academy, children’s cookery workshops, Broil King BBQ demonstrations and cook-along sessions, bake off competition (Sunday), celebrity chef book signings, fairtrade food and family quarter at The Lightbox and WWF-UK the Living Planet Centre (Saturday), live entertainment from Phoenix Cultural Centre, special offers from Woking Shopping retailers and much more!
When: 10th - 20th Where: Albert Square
Manchester has embraced a host of exciting developments, from world-class craft breweries to ground-breaking ‘live’ street food events and parties. New bars, offering the finest cocktails and wines, are a regular feature of nights out and as for gourmet and fine dining – well the city just goes from strength to strength. To help you celebrate, we will once again pack Albert Square with world-class food and drink, music, events, tasting sessions, street food, producers markets and so much more. So you can step inside and plan two weeks with MFDF in the heart of Manchester. The festival will bring you the meatiest of the menu but be sure to check the wonderful website www.foodandddrinkfestival.com for more events and announcements, including mushroom forages, cider tastings and sausage clubs. Enjoy!
When: 11th - 13th Where: Leeds Castle
Cupcakes and a castle - designed to entertain and educate the whole family in the grounds of Leeds, surrounded by its moat and 500 acres of parkland and gardens. Perfect for foodies and families alike, you can devour a large portion of history whilst discovering delicious food, drink and entertainment. Regional produce from over 50 local food and drink producers, gourmet burgers to retro ice creams and artisan beers; there will be taste sensations for all ages. As well as handmade British food gifts, charcuterie, artisan cheesemakers, bakers, wood fired pizzas, fresh fruit and vegetables, sauces, pickles, sweets and juices, there are plenty of world flavours - Italian and Spanish tapas, Vietnamese and Indian street food, German sausages, Mediterranean olives and more. You can interact with chefs and discover new skills from the expert cookery demonstrations and talks in our demonstration tent.
When: 12th Where: St Lawrence Lane
Now in its fifth year, the Ashburton Food and Drink Festival will transform once again into street market with a carnival atmosphere. This free food festival offers something for everyone, with over 50 stallholders showcasing the quality local and regional produce that is held in such high regard. The Cookery Theatre, organised by the Ashburton Cookery School, brings together Devon’s top celebrity chefs, as well as chefs from Ashburton Cookery School and many more, to display their culinary skills and passion for Devon produce. Chef Director of the Ashburton Cookery School, Darrin Hosegrove, says: “This festival has really developed into something special. It is a great celebration of the quality of our local food producers and our top chef talent. The whole family can enjoy great food, free entertainment and explore our vibrant town - it really is the best of Devon on display."
When: 12th - 13th September Where: Warwickshire
The recipe for the weekend, well take over 80 top local producers, a big serving of stunning hot food, real ale and wine bars, add a a dash of craft and gift stalls, lots of activities and rides for the kids, top chef demos from the likes of GBBO finalist Luis Troyano, stir in a cake competition and the popular Men V’s Food, with lashings of excellent live music and mix together to make a lovely foodie family day out. The main chef demo area hosts great local and tv chefs, all demos are free (as part of your admission ticket) to enter so everyone can pick up top foodie tips. There are also regular Artisan Foodie talks and the popular Great British Cake off and Men V’s Food for you to get involved with! The Great British Food Festival has attracted lots of producers showcasing the best in local, seasonal and speciality food and drink. It’s a great opportunity to get a real taste of the best of Lancashire and Great British produce - sample, enjoy and buy.
When: 26th - 27th Where: Painshill, Cobham, Surrey
The Elmbridge Food Festival returns to Painshill in Cobham for the second time this September, and organisers are looking for the Borough's culinary best to join this year's event on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September. More than 9000 people attended the first-ever Elmbridge Food Festival in 2014 and feedback was that event was a must on the foodies' circuit with many who attended the inaugural festival registering their interest for 2015. The Elmbridge Food Festival will consist of over 45 stalls serving food from around the world and speciality produce. The centrepiece will be the Food and Drink Theatre with live demonstrations taking place all weekend. There will also be a 'Little Foodies' area with a full programme of free children's activities running all weekend. Alongside this, there will be a picnic area with a live music tent.
By Henna Holtinkoski
Which festival are you heading to this month? Let us know.
