Hampshire Food Festival is underway!
The Hampshire Food Festival is underway runs for the whole month of July! With 120 different events across Hampshire - from free farm walks, cookery demos and tasting events to gourmet dinners at exclusive hotels, there is surely something for every palate and pocket.
The Hampshire Food Festival celebrates all that is great about food and drink from Hampshire, and gives visitors the opportunity to visit farms, kitchens, orchards, nurseries and food producers across the county.
Lots of inspirational recipe ideas using local produce are promised, with cookery demonstrations in town centres, hotels, restaurants and at Hampshire farmers’ markets, as well as opportunities to get hands-on with cookery, bee-keeping, gardening, jam-making, chocolate, wine, bread-making and knife skills workshops. Visitors can taste a feast of Hampshire produce, from local sausages, cheeses and chocolate to cider, apple juice and beer. Opportunities to buy local produce abound, with Hampshire farmers’ markets each weekend, town centre Food Festivals, country shows and local produce stalls at individual events. Educational events include study days and heritage events on the subject of food and drink. As part of The Year of Food and Farming, aimed at reconnecting young people with where their food comes from, there will be plenty of fun for children to explore farms, meet farm animals, take part in workshops and taste local food.
Visit the Hampshire Fare website for full details of every event, or pick up a free Festival programme at Hampshire farmers' markets, libraries and visitor information centres. The programme includes special offers and savings, and Festival visitors have the chance to win a luxury short break at 4* Lainston House Hotel near Winchester, renowned for it’s use of local produce.
Hampshire Food Festival is sponsored by Hampshire County Council and South East England Development Agency, with support from the South East England Food Group and Corporate Partners Ecover UK Ltd, Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons, Fuller Smith & Turner PLC, Newsquest Media (Southern) Ltd and Wave 105 FM.