With just over a week to go to the 2015 Stone Food & Drink Festival, now’s the time to plan your own week of foodie fun.
And with quite literally hundreds of events – from quizzes to themed evenings, special offers and tastings – taking place at pubs, restaurants and businesses in and around town from Saturday 26th September there’s certainly plenty to choose from!
On Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th, the main festival at Westbridge Park will offer a true feast for the senses. Over 100 artisan food stalls will make shopping for gourmet ingredients a real treat, while exhibitors will wax lyrical about their products in the Talks and Tastings Tent. Top local chefs will grace the Demonstration Kitchen on the hour, every hour; and keen cooks can get hands-on with food taking part in Cookery Masterclasses.
For those who enjoy the finer things in life, the Lewis Partnership’s Pop-up restaurant offers refined dining surroundings, whilst for those who fancy grabbing something ‘on the go’ a world of global Street Food awaits. Drink will be in equally ample supply courtesy of Staffordshire brewers in the beer tent, an elegant champagne and cocktail bar and artisan cider producers, and the new live music stage will play host to lots of great local bands over the course of the weekend.
With the adults well and truly entertained, families can rest assured that youngsters will also have plenty of fun in the Little Foodies Zone on Saturday & Sunday. New for 2015 will be the Panic Circus Big Top, where kids of all ages can join in with circus skills workshops. Free children’s cookery classes are also on offer alongside craft activities, face painting and a fun yet educational foodie discovery trail.
Festival chairman Richard Stevens said: “The festival committee and volunteer workforce is champing at the bit ready for the big weekend – we’re confident that this year, with our new layout and extra activities for all the family the festival will be the best yet.
“We’d urge people to take the time to visit the website and plan their week, as there is so much going on in and around town, and also to book their places for special events like the masterclasses and Saturday evening’s Gin Jamboree – as well as lunch and evening tables at the pop up restaurant – now, to avoid disappointment. It’s also worth booking tickets to Westbridge Park in advance via the website as you will save 10% and also beat queues on the day!”
To view the full programme of Festival events visit www.stonefoodanddrink.org.uk, where you can also purchase discounted advance tickets for the main Stone Food & Drink Festival at Westbridge Park and book spaces on the Cookery Masterclasses.
To book tickets for the Lewis Partnership’s Pop up in the Park Gourmet evenings call 01785 710917, and to secure Gin Jamboree tickets call 01782 372888.
