Holidaymakers are set to be the first participants in the Great Norfolk Taste Test when it arrives at Norwich Airport this week.

The event aims to encourage people to try some of Norfolk's finest produce in the run-up to the 2011 EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival which kicks off at the beginning of September.

Samples of local food are set to be taken to busy venues across the county to show people the delicious, top-quality produce available on their doorsteps.

Richard Woolliams, chairman of the Norfolk Food Festival, said: 'The Great Norfolk Taste Test is a brilliant opportunity for us to showcase some of the fine foods which Norfolk has to offer. We're looking forward to working with new venues this year and spreading the Norfolk Food Festival message.'

The samples will be provided by members of the Produced In Norfolk co-operative, which are responsible for producing a wide range of local food and drink, from freshly milled bread and spicy chilli sauces, to tender meats and cool ice cream.

On Friday, the first taste test will take place at Norwich Airport where holidaymakers heading to Mallorca and arriving home from the Spanish island will be given a chance to remind themselves what delicious Norfolk food tastes like.

Andrew Bell, Norwich International Airport's CEO, said: 'Norwich International Airport is delighted to be able to showcase some of the fantastic local produce available by hosting the first taste test for this year's Norfolk Food Festival.'

It will then move on to the Institute for Food Research in Colney, near Norwich, on Thursday August 25 where the scientists will get a chance to try the samples ahead of staff, students and visitors at the University of East Anglia's Sportspark.

Keith Nicholls, Sportspark director, said: 'We're very excited about being involved in the EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival this year.

'We have thousands of visitors through our doors each day and we're sure they will love the opportunity to try some locally-produced food.'

This year's food festival once again runs throughout September and aims to attract food lovers from across the country to check out the county's food offering with five key weekends of events.

Kicking off with the North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival on September 3 and 4, the festival will include a Norwich weekend, a celebration of the Brecks and Fens, a weekend dedicated to Produced in Norfolk members, and the Aylsham Food Festival. Hundreds more events, including the Moveable Feast on September 20, will also keep food fanatics happy on weekdays.

To register an event as part of the Norfolk Food Festival, or for more information, visit www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk

victoria.leggett@archant.co.uk