Delia Smith backs Norfolk Food Festival

Delia Smith is backing the Norfolk Food Festival

Cookery legend Delia Smith has become one of the backers of the region's biggest and best food festival.

The EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival will get under way at the start of September and runs for a full month this year, an expansion from its previous fortnight-long slot. It is a celebration of all that is best about our county's food, cookery and producers, and appropriately includes the period of British Food Fortnight, which runs from September 18 to October 3.

Its patrons are writer, actor and presenter Stephen Fry, celebrity chef Galton Blackiston, and the food writer, television presenter and joint Norwich City majority shareholder Delia Smith.

Delia said: “I am proud and honoured to be a patron of such an important project.

“Years ago when I was doing Look East, I got to know a lot of food producers in Norfolk. There is a great tradition here of eating good food and especially home cooking.

“Here at the football club we are plugging away and trying to do our bit to make Norfolk the epicentre of good food and wine in the country.”

Festival chairman Richard Woolliams said: “The momentum is really building for this year's food festival - we have extended the fortnight to now cover the whole month of September so we can draw in and include a number of smaller festivals and events under the one umbrella of the Norfolk Food Festival.

“We are presenting a food festival that truly encompasses the whole county. We have events ranging from “Taste the View” at your local farm shop or producer - to more formal one-off events highlighting the produce grown locally, its seasonality, and the story of food grown across Norfolk.

“There will be new events to ensure that everyone can be involved - for example there will be a 'shop' in Castle Mall providing cooking demonstrations, tastings and an opportunity to meet some of the chefs involved with the festival.”

EDP editor Peter Waters said: “This is the sixth year of the festival but the second that the Eastern Daily Press has been heavily involved. The reason I was keen for us to play an integral part is that the aims of the festival are very much in tune with the ethos of the EDP - it is about celebrating what a wonderful area we live in, showcasing the fantastic work and activities that go on here, and highlighting our rich culture and heritage.”

Events are still being added to the programme, but the hundreds lined up already include the famous Battle of the Bangers outside the Forum in Norwich on September 25 and the Tallest Jelly Competition for local schools on October 1.

There is an official launch event with Delia Smith at Norwich City Football Club on Friday September 3, with the North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival at Holkham Hall running during the first weekend of the festival on September 4 and 5. And the festival concludes with the fifth Aylsham Food Festival on October 1 to 3.

An events guide is being produced, which will be available in September from EDP offices, Bidwells' office at 16 Upper King Street and John Lewis. Until then visit www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk for more information about the festival and a full events guide.



DON'T MISS OUT

It's not too late to get involved in the EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival. Just arrange an event or a promotion, anything that helps celebrate and promote Norfolk food, and we will include it in the festival listings on the website and in the festival brochure. Deadline for entries appearing in the brochure is August 5th. You can send them to us electronically at www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk



AYLSHAM FOOD FESTIVAL

The Aylsham Food Festival starts with a buffet dinner for 100 people at the Aylsham High School, created and locally sourced by students at the school.

On Saturday October 2 the events start with a farmers' market in the market place during the morning. A new event for this year is a 'Taste Adventure' in the town hall, aimed at educating children on the use of the five senses when we eat and enjoy good food. There will also be cooking workshops for primary school children.

Rounding off the festival will be the Big Slow Breakfast in the town hall on the Sunday morning, offering local residents and their guests the opportunity to share a traditional English breakfast.

For more information visit www.slowfoodaylsham.org.uk.