Festival promises a whole week of foodie fun

This year’s Stone Food and Drink Festival, set to take place from Fri 30th September – Sun 2nd October 2011, will offer food and drink fans more than just a weekend of food-related fun. Over the years the festival has not only grown to encompass events throughout the entire town; with numerous local pubs, bars, restaurants and businesses getting into the spirit and hosting their own food-focused events, but has also become a full week of foodie celebrations, with events and activities taking place in the five days running up to festival weekend.

In addition to midweek minibus Real Ale Trails and ‘Manger a Trois’ roving meals, revellers can enjoy a host of special offers and fun events from hostelries in and around the thriving market town, and the popular Farmers’ Market will once again take place in the High Street on Friday and Saturday.

However, over the ‘big weekend’ itself, the heart of the festival will remain the Westbridge Park area. From Friday morning right through to Sunday evening there will be plenty to keep the whole family entertained, from shopping and tasting opportunities through to interactive cookery demonstrations, kiddies’ rides, a family treasure trail, live music and – naturally – plenty to eat and drink!

The real ‘hub’ of the festival, the Gourmet Marquee, will gather over 70 exhibitors from far and wide to showcase their wares, with Staffordshire producers appearing in a special, dedicated ‘Taste of Staffordshire’ area. Shopaholics can browse the stalls to sample and buy foods that range from the traditional to the exotic, alongside beautiful kitchenware. New for this year, festival goers will also get the chance to share their favourite recipes in the ‘Recipe Exchange’; simply bring along your contribution, pin it to the board and remember to bring a notepad and pen to take down any of the other recipes that catch your eye on the day.
 

A celebration of local food – and talent
Another new feature for 2011 is the ‘Best of Staffordshire’ Beer Festival. Masterminded by Dave Bott of Titanic Brewery, this brand new festival event will gather beers from every brewery in Staffordshire to provide real ale fans with a unique tasting opportunity. With around twenty beers on offer from a host of local brewers, it looks set to attract real ale fans from far afield.

Continuing the local theme, this year’s demonstration marquee will host live cookery demonstrations from top Staffordshire chefs; including Simon Smith of Lichfield’s Thrales Restaurant, Paul Gilmore of Restaurant Gilmore near Uttoxeter, Head Chef at the Spot Gate Inn in Hilderstone, Richard Cullen, and Matt Davies who, as Group Executive Chef at The Lewis Partnership, is responsible for kitchens at The Swan, The Moathouse, The Bear Grill and The Dog & Doublet. They will be joined by several Stone-based chefs, local rising stars in the form of the winners and runners up of Taste of Staffordshire’s 2011 Masterchef and Young Chef awards, and 13-year-old Jack Taylor, who will be back by popular demand.

The Stone Food and Drink Festival will take place from 1pm on Friday, 30th September – Sunday 2nd October 2011; entry to the main Westbridge Park site is £6 per person, per day with a free ‘park and ride’ service operating from Aston Marina on the A51. For full information on the festival and its programme of events, visit www.stonefooddrink.org.uk