It’s that taste-tingling time of the year: the ever-popular Wells Food Festival is back on October 8, with stalls from local producers spreading from the Market Place and the Town Hall, along the Moat and into the Recreation Ground.
It is hard to imagine just how much this event has developed over the years. 'Back in 2013 we opened the festival with just 30 producers and approximately 3,000 visitors turned up on the day,'says Jon Abbott, festival director. 'This year we will look forward to welcoming almost 200 artisan traders and potentially 15,000 visitors.'
Not only has the size increased year on year, but it also provides a fascinating insight into the trends and developments in the world of food and drink. Alongside traditional local Somerset fare, you’ll find vegan and plant-based meals, fermented products, sustainable seaweed, Tibetan dishes, Hawaiian poke bowls, doughnuts and cruffins. All washed down with craft beers and small-batch artisan gins.
With a reputation spreading far and wide, there are now producers from all over the county and beyond getting involved. But there are also plenty of home-grown companies at the festival to support including still and sparkling wine from Fenny Castle Vineyard just down the road and Go Fudge Yourself fudge made in Daniel’s Sandwich Bar in the city centre.
Instilling a love of good food from an early age, there is lots to keep children entertained from free cookery sessions to an interactive food trail around the festival making it a truly family friendly day out.
