WELLS Food Festival is pulling out all the stops this year, showcasing 200 regional, artisan producers and street food stars, as well as a host of fun feature areas to explore.
The free-to-enter festival will be spreading out even further when it returns on Sunday, October 12, including the Cathedral Green for the first time.
“Visitors are always struck by the diversity of food and drink on offer from talented and passionate producers who need our support more than ever before,” says Jon Abbott, festival director.
“By increasing the layout of the festival, we can accommodate new producers, whilst still retaining the family-friendly atmosphere and ensure it is an enjoyable day out for everyone. Extending onto the Cathedral Green seems the natural next step, and we thank the Dean of Wells for agreeing to let us ‘set up shop’.”
There is plenty to tickle the taste buds with food taking inspiration from all over the world, to be enjoyed onsite or to take home. Regular visitors will recognise a large number of producers who have been with the festival from its very early days, and several that are within a few miles of Wells including Fenny Castle wines, Hullabaloos lemonade and Gilbert & Swayne chocolates.
There are also many new stands to explore including Tulsi Kitchen, Nania’s Kombucha, Shanty Spirit and street food from Papa Pasta.
A full programme of events throughout the day should keep the whole family entertained. These include the Celebration of English wine marquee on the Palace Green, kids’ activities in the Children’s Zone and some intriguing charities and organisations to discover in the Food for Thought marquee. There are cookery sessions for both children, in Little Joe’s Kitchen, and for older children and young adults in the School of Fish.
Headline sponsor, Charlie Bigham’s, has an upcycling competition on the stand, with the first prize of a year of Charlie Bigham’s meals to be won, whilst the Town Hall will feature an exhibition from the Wells Food Festival photography competition and is packed with kitchenware and homeware stands.
There is also music and entertainment across the festival site with performances from Harlem Rhythm Cats, pupils from Millfield School on the bandstand, Sam Evans on Palace Green and pupils from Wells Cathedral School in the Market Place.
The event runs from 10.30am-4.30pm. More at www.wellsfoodfestival.co.uk