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Love festivals? Love local produce? Wherever you are in the UK there’s a festival near you so make sure you get involved…
British Food Fortnight is the biggest annual, national celebration of British food and drink. It’s held in the autumn at the same time as harvest festival. It was established in the wake of the Foot and Mouth crisis in response to the fact that, though there are numerous food initiatives, projects and events taking place across Britain, there was no overall flagship event to bring them to the public’s attention. The first British Food Fortnight was created in 2002 for the purpose of bringing together those who work in any aspect of food and drink and to promote the benefits of buying and eating our own British produce.
In order to promote British Food Fortnight to children, schools across the UK were challenged to research a cake recipe with a healthy twist, and where possible to use local ingredients. Children then had to bake and decorate a cake in a manner fit for The Queen, and share and eat the cake at a celebration for the class, the whole school or the wider community.
Festivals all around the country are taking place, with local produce being exhibited making each festival unique to its town, find your local festival below:
Apple Weekend
In the South East, Apple weekend is taking place at Fenton House and Garden on the 1st and 2nd of October. This weekend is all about sitting back and relaxing with a beverage made from the old English varieties of apples from the trees in the 300 year old orchard. There will be a wide range of drinks from fresh juices and teas to ciders and cocktails. For children’s entertainment there will be badge making, apple juicing and giant lawn games, making this weekend fun for the whole family!
Thames Food Festival
Thames Food Festival set in the beautiful historic market town of Chinnor in Oxon was introduced into the town in 2008 to promote and celebrate the wealth of wonderful food producers, food retailers, food and drink experts and restaurants in the local area. This year the festival will be on 24th September where there will be a large range of stalls from international cuisine to sauces and spices. For the wine lovers there is a champagne versus English Sparking wine Taste Off where you get the opportunity to listen, taste and tickle your taste buds. A popup book shop will be at the festival where chefs will be signing their cookery books, including Nadiya Hussain (winner of the Great British Bake off 2015).
York Food and Drink Festival
Moving further Noth, York Food and Drink Festival explores the Taste of York which aims to promote independent businesses in York. Held between the 23rd of September and the 2nd of October the festival will have 40 stalls from local chefs and restaurants exhibiting food from Indian cuisine to seafood to tapas. Food demonstrations and workshops offer the opportunity for you to get involved and learn how to make something new. To liven the atmosphere there will be live music from up and coming Yorkshire bands.
Edinburgh’s Farmers Market If you live even further North, Edinburgh’s Farmers Market takes place under the spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Now in its 16th year, there will be a huge variety of fresh local produce from over 50 specialist producers. You can expect to find specialities such as venison and water buffalo, duck eggs, chillies and honeys. Guest producers provide specialities including organic beer, liqueurs, bread, chocolates and chutney. You’ll find a selection of hot food as well including Oink’s famous hog roast!
Tyrone Farmers Market
Sailing to the other side of the Irish Sea, Tyrone Farmers Market in Northern Ireland offers quality local food produced on local farms. By shopping at the market you are supporting your local farmers, cutting out the middleman and aiding the sustainability of your rural community. At the market you’ll have direct contact with the producer so you can be sure how your vegetables are grown and how your meat is produced. The market also includes wonderful seasonal producers, home baked produce, locally crafted items and a fantastic selection of fresh fish.
Mold Food and Drink Festival
Mold Food and Drink Festival will be held in Wales on the 17th and 18th of September and showcases the wonderful local produce the region has to offer, as well as some of the finest quality food and drink produced from around the country. This year’s festival will be an exciting foodie weekend with demonstrations from celebrity and local chefs and well as children’s activities. A fantastic line up of bands and musicians will be performing on stage all weekend, from jazz and rock to folk and pop!
If getting to a market or festival is not possible, there are many other ways you can get involved in the British Food Fortnight, such as making the special effort to seek out British food when shopping or shopping in local butchers, greengrocers, farm shops and markets. We hope as many of you as possible can get involved in the fortnight and support our local farmers! For more information click here.
