Food, glorious food - there was plenty of it at the Norwich Forum yesterday.

Eastern Daily Press: The Norwich Food and Drink Festival. Steve Thorpe (left) and Charlie Hodson giving a cookery demo.Picture: ANTONY KELLYThe Norwich Food and Drink Festival. Steve Thorpe (left) and Charlie Hodson giving a cookery demo.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Culinary delights of all kinds tickled the taste buds of thousands of visitors to the Norwich Food and Drink Festival.

Stands offering everything from chutney to craft beer were kept busy both inside and outside the building, with a giant inflatable chilli providing a focal point.

Wile some visitors were downing suds at the Adnams beer garden, others had their photos taken at a 'selfie station' set up by the event's major sponsors, Cozens-Hardy Solicitors.

Violinist Alison Sparrow put on a rousing performance, while professional chefs spilled their secrets to the public at a series of cookery demonstrations.

Eastern Daily Press: The Norwich Food and Drink Festival.Picture: ANTONY KELLYThe Norwich Food and Drink Festival.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Norfolk Food and Drink chairman Sarah De Chair said she was thrilled with the response to the festival, which was being held for the 11th year in a row.

She said: 'The atmosphere has been fantastic. This is a great opportunity for people come along and celebrate Norfolk's amazing food and drink.'

Among the vendors at the festival was Kate Lyons, who launched her business, pudd'Eng, in Aylsham in February.

Mrs Lyons said there had been a lot of interest in her range of traditional steamed puddings.

Eastern Daily Press: The Norwich Food and Drink Festival.Picture: ANTONY KELLYThe Norwich Food and Drink Festival.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

She said: 'There's a real buzz here. The festival is a chance for people to see a lot of new brands, which I am one of.'

At another table, Sally Francis was selling flour, liquor, and other products made from saffron at her Burnham Norton-based business, Norfolk Saffron.

She said: 'It's always great to be at a food fair because we get to meet a lot of interesting people and make some new connections.'

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Eastern Daily Press: The Norwich Food and Drink Festival. Local butchers compete in the Battle of the Bangers. Emma Payne from Coxfords Butchers, Aylsham.Picture: ANTONY KELLYThe Norwich Food and Drink Festival. Local butchers compete in the Battle of the Bangers. Emma Payne from Coxfords Butchers, Aylsham.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

PANEL - The battle of the bangers

Eastern Daily Press: The Norwich Food and Drink Festival. Local butchers compete in the Battle of the Bangers. Picture: ANTONY KELLYThe Norwich Food and Drink Festival. Local butchers compete in the Battle of the Bangers. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

A highlight of the food and drink festival was the 'Battle of the Bangers', to find Norfolk's most succulent sausage.

Vendors were lined up in front of City Hall offering bite-sized samples of their wares to visitors, who then had the chance to vote on their favourite.

And it wasn't only carnivores who could take part this year, as vegetarian and gluten-free bangers were also on offer.

Icarus Hines from Cromer won the public vote, and Papworth Farms in North Walsham was the runner-up.

Coxfords Butchers from Aylsham was declared the 'sponsor's choice' winner, while the runner-up in this category was Icarus Hines.

A record 4,000 votes were received.