Best veg, best fruit, all equal to great foodie festivals
It is summer isn’t it? Well kind of, the vagaries of the British weather are not helping us to plan much in the way of days out, but the Potager is full. Helped by the intermittent showers but steady temperatures, it’s great to see that the kitchen garden has rallied after a dismal spring and early summer – all this helping towards some amazing foodie festivals where you will find fresh, flavoursome and excitingly tasty produce.
Swiss chard makes amazing gratin’s, can be used just steamed for a fresh tangy accompaniment to fish or even steamed then used cold in a salad with a vinaigrette.
So I thought I would share a few dates with you where you can see fab vegetables and fruit showcased in amazing ways.
5 August foodie festivals you must visit
Isle of Wight Garlic Festival – 18-19th August 2012
All things garlicky on this island just off the coast of Hampshire. I love going there and since I love garlic it’s definitely a must-go destination this summer! A busy two days with beer tent, arts and crafts stalls, live music, children’s entertainers and of course cookery demos with garlic all through the day!
Taste Fest the Kent and Sussex food showcase – 18th-19th August 2012
This is a celebration of all that is good about Kent and Sussex food producers over two days. Held within the walled gardens at Bedgebury Pinetum, this is in the middle of the garden of England. I’ve never been to this festival but might toodle across this year and have a look after I have visited the Garlic Festival.
West Dean Chili Fiesta - 25-27th August 2012
Beautiful place, beautiful gardens, gorgeous fruit and vegetables – what more can one say? Well they are famous for their chili fiesta – so head down there for a gargantuan chili feast – colour, heat, flavour, cooking demos, music and a fun time.
Big Onion Festival – 25th August 2012
So we go from garlic to chili to onion, perfect triumvirate! Held at Elveden Estate in Suffolk this festival showcases the onion in all its glory. They grow 25,000 tons of onions every year! Cooking demonstrations, local food and drinks producers are represented too, fab music and children friendly activities too.
Wirral Food and Drink Festival – 26th-27th August 2012
Too far for me but I like the sound of this foodie festival – it’s held on a farm, always good to showcase where food comes from and it showcases all things home grown. The usual cooking demos with chef’s are staged but I like the sound of the Good Life Marquee – where there are workshops on bee keeping, gardening and growing your own fruit and veg, cheese making and keeping chickens. The circle of growing and rearing and eating all in one.
