There will be no ‘superstar’ TV chefs at this year’s Stone Food and Drink Festival. Instead, organisers are celebrating the very best of Staffordshire, with the county’s leading culinary stars lined up for the big weekend later this year.
This year’s festival, which takes place from Friday 30th September to Sunday 2nd October, is focused on showcasing the ‘Very best of Staffordshire’.
Among the county’s finest who will be demonstrating at this year’s festival are:
- Simon Smith of Lichfield’s Thrales Restaurant
- Paul Gilmore of Restaurant Gilmore near Uttoxeter
- Head chef at the Spot Gate in Hilderstone Richard Cullen
- Matt Davies, group executive chef at The Lewis Partnership, who is responsible for kitchens at The Swan, The Moathouse, The Bear Grill and The Dog & Doublet.
Local Stone chefs will also be showcasing their talents, with David Rose of Granvilles, Sam Gillick of The Stone Steak House and Aston Marina’s Andrew Keeling all taking to the stage.
They will be joined by local rising stars in the form the winners and runners-up of Taste of Staffordshire’s 2011 Masterchef and Young Chef awards and Stone’s very own prodigy, 13-year-old Jack Taylor, who will be back by popular demand.
While demonstrations are free to all festival goers, spaces are always at a premium, although reserved seating is available for ‘Friends of the Festival’.
Festival chairman Richard Stevens said: “By signing up as a Friend of the Festival not only will you be guaranteed a seat at all of the demonstrations but you will enjoy free admission to the Westbridge Park site on all three days, priority booking for our Manger a Trois and Real Ale Trail ticketed events, free newsletters throughout the year and a range of discounts and special offers.
“Membership is valid until June 1st 2012, so you’ll benefit from any events and demonstrations we run during winter and spring, and costs just £17.50 per person.”
Check the official website to sign up as a Friend and to see events scheduled in the run-up to the festival.
6 comments
Gabrielle
I was so confused about what to buy, but this makes it understadabnle.
Kate
I agree with Dan. It’s a big farmers market and one you have to pay to go in to hand over more of your hard earned cash, I’m local and already pay my council tax towards the upkeep of Westbridge Park, it’s another case of double taxation, I resent having to pay to go in.The farmers market on the Saturday in the town is really worth a visit and it’s free, I’ll support my town that way. I will not pay this year to see a big tent full of farmers market stalls. I have no interest in local chefs, I can probably cook as good as they can.
Jack Taylor
hey dan , jack taylor here i am one of the chefs performing as much as we all want a superstar there i have to be honest we are a LOCAL festival and we want LOCAL and talented chefs and it is certanley not a food market over the past months the team at the food and drink festival have worked very very hard to get this festival again and we believe that with the spirit of the town and the surrounding area’s and neighbouring towns we can pull together and make this work so don’t go tuning into them poxey channels which are as fake as katie price come and support your local town’s feswtival and make this a success
thank you for your support,
Jack Taylor
Jason
Jamie, the Food & Drink website is http://www.stonefooddrink.org.uk…….not .co.uk as the link in the article directs you to.
Jamie Summerfield
Thanks for pointing the mistake out – I’ll get it changed now. Doh!
Dan
I believe it’s £6 per person for entry to what has now become a food market?
I can understand the costs when hiring Celeb guest appearances. I’m sure the stall holders pay for their pitch also. The “Local” chefs will promote their restaurants and therefore increase trade as their payment.
OK, you get cookery demonstrations in a packed marquee and end up watching it on the TV screens at the side of the stage, I can stay at home and watch TV on several dedicated food channels?
Without a “Celebrity” to hold the interest I’m not sure I shall be going this year, I have been to the”festival” over the last few years.