Taking place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th May 2018, this gastronomic, free to attend festival celebrates the very best food, drink and culinary expertise Dorset and the nearby New Forest have to offer, in one of the UK’s most picturesque quayside settings. Launched in the millennium, the festival has continued to grow and attract the finest produce and award-winning chefs in the region, making its name as one of Dorset’s most popular foodie events.
With the festival’s own charity, the Education Trust, focused on promoting healthy eating and cooking skills, the main highlight of the festival takes place in the Demonstration Theatre. This is where TV chefs, award-winning local chefs and some of Dorset’s best-loved brands get hands-on with locally sourced ingredients for all to watch and learn. And for the little ones, the popular Kids’ Kitchen teaches children to cook with fresh and nutritional ingredients in a fun, proactive environment.
Over 200 stalls offering delicious local delicacies pepper the historic high street before spilling onto the scenic riverside setting of Christchurch Quay, where the experience continues in a hubbub of activity. Live entertainment brings the Victorian bandstand to life, whilst visitors try and buy a plethora of local food and drink, from the naughty but nice Purbeck Ice Cream and Gourmet Grilled Cheese Co., to the sublime Langham Sparkling Wine and Conker Gin, all Dorset born and bred. You’ll also find the fun and friendly Jimmy’s Iced Coffee, and for a spot of delicacy, Dorset Shellfish and Oysters.
This year, the festival welcomes back celebrity TV Chefs and Christchurch Food Festival Ambassadors, Lesley Waters; and MasterChef finalist and entertaining resident chef on ITV’s ‘Lorraine’, Dean Edwards. Guests also include winner of The Apprentice 2016 and founder of Ridiculously Rich, Alana Spencer; and the vegan cupcake extraordinaire and blogger, Ms Cupcake.
Furthermore, Dorset Food & Drink will have a dedicated area within the festival to champion their members and support start-up businesses, showing just how passionate this coastal county is about their produce.
As one of the longest-established festivals in the UK, the Christchurch Food Festival brings its visitors not only an abundance of beautiful local delicacies, but also jaw-dropping coastal scenery, from the meandering River Avon, to the seven miles of sandy beach. And because of its unique microclimate, the weather’s usually on your side. This is Dorset at its finest, and tastiest.
To find out more about the festival and full range of events go to www.christchurchfoodfest.co.uk or find on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ChristchurchFoodFest/
