We all know food tastes better outside, so make the most of the fresh air this summer and savour the best produce around the country. Fill up at a food festival, farmers’ market or fair, or find the perfect picnic spot. Here’s our guide to get you started…
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
FRONT FEATURE
There are now more than 100 food festivals in the UK; some are ‘feastivals’ (think Glastonbury with a foodie vibe) with celebrity chefs, famous bands – and high ticket prices. Others, usually volunteer-led, may be free or ask a nominal charge. Here are a few worth a wander…
● CHELTENHAM FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL Held in this Cotswolds spa town’s elegant Montpellier Gardens, this event offers a smorgasbord of delights. Celebrity chefs cook up a storm; there’s a raft of expert talks and tastings, along with numerous artisan food producers and live music. 23-25 June. Entry from £7 (cheltenhamfooddrinkfestival.co.uk).
● EDINBURGH FOOD FESTIVAL George Square Gardens hosts this 10-day gastrofest with stalls showcasing some of Scotland’s finest produce, often served up with an international twist. Try Instagramworthy Hawaiian poke bowls or tempting tapas bites, washed down with a sangria or beer from Edinburgh’s Bellfield Brewery. 21-30 July. Entry is free (edfoodfest.com).
● MALTON FOOD LOVERS FESTIVAL Described as a huge gourmet street party, the Yorkshire festival takes over the streets of Malton twice a year. You’ll find specialist stalls, sizzling street food, cafés, bars and a wealth of artisan shops, while cookery pop-ups from chefs bring expertise and delicious flavours. 26-27 August. Entry is free (visitmalton.com).
● NORTH NORFOLK FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL Set within Holkham Hall’s rustic walled garden, this hugely successful event is now in its 14th year; the main ethos is to support upcoming local producers. Expect lots of foodie offerings and demos from local chefs, some of whom use the estate’s just-picked produce. 2–3 September. Entry is free; £5 car parking fee (northnorfolkfoodfestival.co.uk).
● LUDLOW FOOD FESTIVAL This Shropshire market town hosted the first British food festival in 1995, and a ‘slow food’ ethos is still at its heart. Held in the castle grounds, it promises over 100 stalls of wonderful local fare – though all the town is very much involved. 8-10 September. Daytime entry from £12.50; £7.50 evening (ludlowfoodfestival.co.uk).
NICE, ICE, BABY
It doesn’t matter how old you are, nothing beats ice cream when the sun shines (or even when it doesn’t). Here’s where to scoop some of the best…
● Bali (coconut and passion fruit)… No, this exotic concoction didn’t waft in from paradise, but may well be on the menu at Tagg Lane Dairy in the Peak District. A perfect rural pitstop (tagglanedairy.com).
