Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Norfolk Food and Drink Festival promises to be the best yet as it marks its very special birthday.
The festival brings together hundreds of events over six weeks to celebrate the thriving food and drink industry in the county – from the Battle of the Bangers and tallest jelly competition, the Green Britain Centre Apple and Orchard Fun Day and Wroxham Barns scone bake-off to pop-up restaurants, markets, picnics and tours of farms.
It is the now largest festival of its kind in the UK and, as well as some annual favourites, there are plenty of exciting new events taking place giving people the chance to taste some fantastic dishes and buy wonderful produce and ingredients.
Producers, retailers, restaurateurs and chefs from all over Norfolk will be taking part with the aim of creating a better understanding of the importance of food and drink to the local economy, countryside and agriculture.
This year’s festival will run from August 30 to October 12, and there are several flagship events, focusing on different areas of the county:
Aylsham Food and Drink Festival runs from October 2 to 5
Waveney Food and Drink Festival from October 4 to 12
The Brecks Food Festival in Swaffham from September 12 to 14
North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival at Holkham Hall on August 30 to 31.
New events this year including the Pop Up Producers’ Picnic at Hoveton Hall, Norwich Restaurant Week and the Norfolk Showcase being held at The Assembly House.
The festival has four patrons – chefs and restaurateurs Richard Hughes, Galton Blackiston and Chris Coubrough and Vanessa Scott, director of Strattons at Swaffham – who have all helped raise its profile and create a fantastic programme of events.
The Norfolk Food and Drink Festival 2014 takes place from August 30 to October 12 and is sponsored by Adnams and Spire Solicitors LLP, in association with our sister newspaper, the Eastern Daily Press.
Visit www.nfdf.co.uk to discover more about the festival and all the events taking place.
Time to dine
The North Norfolk Restaurant Week will run from September 29 to October 5. For more information on both events, the participating businesses and individual offers, visit the Norfolk Food and Drink Festival website or follow the events on social media.
Very tasty
A new event for this year is the Acle Tasty Food and Drink Festival 2014, which will take place at Acle Academy on Saturday, October 4, from 10am until 4pm.
Dozens of producers and vendors of everything from cider to sausages have already signed up to be part of the event, which will highlight the wonderful fare of the Broadland area and further afield. A highlight of the day will be the vintage afternoon tearoom, as well as healthy eating workshops run by Sainsbury’s of Great Yarmouth. The event is being organised by the school’s Parent Teacher Association with support from Broadland District Council, and has an entrace fee of £2 for adults and £1 for children.
Norfolk producers interested in having a stand at the event (£25 a pitch) should email suzmwebb@aol.com.
