EATING OUT WEST GUIDE

BRITISH FOOD FORTNIGHT

17 Sept-2 Oct, various venues Web: www.lovebritishfood.co.uk

• Annual celebration of all things local and seasonal, invariably providing hundreds of events large and small - mostly free to attend and often full of tasty samples. Check website nearer the time.

Bristol

POP-UP RESTAURANTS & GUERILLA DINING

Various dates/locations, details announced via websites Web: www.cloakanddinner.wordpress.com, www.facebook.com/thesecretservicesupperclub, twitter: @micasapopuprestaurant or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text39639 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Regularly, usually bimonthly, Paintworks, Bath Rd, BS4 3EH Web: www.lovefoodfestival.com

• Brilliant showcase for local artisan food producers, with music, food demos, health/wellbeing areas and activities alongside the foodie stalls. Says Rick Stein of Love Food: “It reconnects people with the simple pleasures of buying, growing and cooking great, locally produced food.”

VEGFEST

27-29 May, Amphitheatre & Waterfront Square, BS1 Web: http://www.vegfest.co.uk/

• Formerly Bristol Vegan Fayre. Free daytime event combines stalls, talks, cookery demos, films and campaign info relating to ethical meat-free living. Ticketed evening session brings a big-name musical programme (this year’s headliners include Miss Dynamite, The Selecter, Aswad).

GRILLSTOCK

1-3 July, Amphitheatre, Harbourside, BS1 Web: www.grillstock.co.uk

• Full programme of Americana music alongside team cook-off comps for King of the Grill title. A complete celebration of alfresco eating, with a chefs’ academy passing on the secrets of rubs, marinades and slow-cooking. Compete in the Fiery Food Festival chilli-eating competition at your own risk.

BRISTOL CIDER FESTIVAL

5-6 Aug & 27-28 Jan 2012, Brunel Passenger Shed, British Empire & Commonwealth Museum, Temple Meads, BS1 6QH Web: http://www.clstickets.co.uk/

• Serious fixture in the apple-lover’s calendar (adv booking recommended). Wash down your hog roast or cheese platter with samples from over 100 ciders and perries to the sounds of The Mangledwurzels’ affectionate tribute to the late great Adge.

SOIL ASSOCIATION ORGANIC FOOD FESTIVAL

3-4 Sept, Harbourside, BS1 Web: www.organicfoodfestival.co.uk

• Over 150 organic traders, including health, cosmetic and fashion producers as well as the cream of organic food makers. Live bands, and demos from the UK’s best ‘green’ chefs. Kids welcome (especially to the palate-expanding ‘taste experience’) and gardeners get their own area.

Bath

LOVE FOOD FESTIVAL

Sun 12 June, Green Park Station, BA1 1JB Web: www.lovefoodfestival.com

• Bathonians get their first chance to enjoy the Love Food experience. See Bristol listing above.

FLAVOURS OF THE WEST FESTIVAL

2-3 July, Milsom Place, Milsom St, BA1 1DN Web: www.milsomplace.co.uk

• Loads of local artisan producers, with Bath-based uber-baker (and BBC Food Champion 2010) Richard Bertinet and undisputed queen of veggie cuisine Rachel Demuth joining cookery writer Xanthe Clay at the heart of the programme.

BATH COFFEE FESTIVAL

21-22 May, Recreation Ground, BA2 4DS Web: www.bathcoffeefestival.co.uk

• Coffee producers from around the world, and lots to keep kids entertained at this free festival. Baristas learn the tricks of the trade from top practitioners in the Coffee Academy and Demo Theatre.

BATH FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL 

Royal Victoria Park, BA1 1DN Web: www.garden-events.com

• This annual two-dayer probably won’t be happening in 2011, but there should be one in May 2012.

BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET

24 Nov-12 Dec (TBC), Abbey Square & surrounding areas, BA1 Web: www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk

• Always a feast of festive foodie treats to be had amid the wooden chalets selling handmade crafts and decorations.

BATH CIDER FESTIVAL

10-11 Feb, The Pavilion, North Parade Rd, BA2 4EU Web: www.clstickets.co.uk

• See Bristol listing.

Out of Town

ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW

1-4 June, Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6QN Web: www.bathandwest.com

• All the fun of a county fair: livestock and produce comps (including National Cheese Awards), local food producers among the 600 trade stands (including those in the Eco-Zone), and an Orchard & Cider Pavilion housing the UK’s biggest cider comp, plus traditional wassailing.

INTERNATIONAL VEGAN FESTIVAL

4-12 June, Elimar Hotel, Rincon de la Victoria, Malaga, Spain Web: www.ivu.org/veganfest/2011

• Combines trips to local tourist attractions with addressing issues relating to vegan nutrition and its benefits to the individual and society. All meals provided are 100% plant based.

BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW (SUMMER)

15-19 June, NEC Birmingham, B40 1NT Web: www.bbcgoodfoodshowsummer.com

• Annual foodie megashow, with more ‘sleb’ chefs than you could shake a whisk at. MasterChef Experience, Summer Kitchen, Grow Your Own gardening programme and a serious delve into goat’s cheese. Packed programme and a staggering display of producers.

CHELTENHAM FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL

17-19 June, Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, Glos, GL50 1SD Web: www.garden-events.com

• Very popular gathering of regional and local produce that truly celebrates the local scene, with the best chefs from the Cheltenham area, over 150 exhibitors, and talks on wine, growing/buying/eating fruit and veg, and the health implications of some of our favourite foods. Live street theatre and music.

MELKSHAM FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL

8-17 July, various venues, Melksham, Wilts Web: www.melkshamfoodfestival.co.uk

• Set up by Martin Blunos and Peter Vaughan, this fortnight-long festival celebrates all aspects of food from farm to plate. Local shops do special tastings, hotels and restaurants do local-focused menus, farms have open days and guided tours.

FROME FESTIVAL FEAST

Sat 9 July, Market Yard, Frome, BA11 Web: www.fromefestival.co.uk

• A highlight of Frome’s annual fortnight of arts, crafts and music, this evening gathering of a worldwide selection of food stalls comes with a programme of acoustic music.

DORSET SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

9-10 July, Weymouth Harbour, Dorset, DT4 8ED Web: www.dorsetseafood.co.uk

• One of the UK’s biggest gathering of seafood-related goings-on. Cookery demos stage, food producer stalls, live entertainment and any amount of oysters.

VIVA! INCREDIBLE VEGGIE ROADSHOW

Sat 30 July, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2LL Web: www.viva.org.uk/vegetarian-vegan-roadshow-2011/cornwall.html

• Find out everything you ever wanted to know about being vegan or vegetarian. Info and advice, food stalls, health and cosmetic products, cookery demos, tastings and campaign news.

GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL

2-6 Aug, Earls Court, London, SW5 9TA Web: http://gbbf.camra.org.uk

• Mind-boggling array of real ales and beers from the UK and far beyond, spread around countless bars. Tutored tastings, traditional pub games, live music and a family room - where the under-18s must remain.

GREAT DORSET CHILLI FESTIVAL

13-14 Aug, Kingston Lacy, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 4EA Web: www.greatdorsetchillifestival.co.uk

• Cookery demos, grow-your-own advice, chilli sauce comp and spicy fare from Mexico to Thailand and back again (plus non-spicy local treats), all amid an excessively pretty National Trust mansion.

FROME AGRICULTURAL & CHEESE SHOW

Sat 10 Sept, West Woodlands Showground, nr Frome, Somerset, BA11 2AH Web: www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk

• The show’s Cheese Pavilion houses trade stands, cheese-making demos, celebrity cheese cookery demos, cheese sampling and entertainment from those irrepressible Mangledwurzels.

VEGAN FESTIVAL OF LIFE

Sat 24 Sept, Conway Hall, London, WC1 4RL Web: www.festivaloflife.net

• This ‘smoke/drug/alcohol-free’ event for the meat-free features a day of talks, demos and stalls about raw food, permaculture, eco living et al, with an evening ‘conscious’ dance party.

GREAT BRITISH CHEESE SHOW

24-25 Sept, Cardiff Castle, Castle St, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3RB Web: www.greatbritishcheesefestival.co.uk

• Features the specially assembled Cardiff Arms pub, with 25 real ales and 30 real ciders and perries. Markets offering the Best of British and True Taste of Wales, a comprehensive Cook & Book shop, and Britain’s biggest cheese market.

MASTERCHEF LIVE

11-13 Nov, Olympia, London, W14 8UX Web: www.mastercheflive.com

• Chef demos, food stalls and classy restaurant outlets at this BBC-backed event, plus familiar ‘MasterChef’ faces cooking live on stage.

BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW (WINTER)

23-27 Nov, NEC Birmingham, B40 1NT Web: www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com

• Includes the World Cheese Awards 2011, where some 40 tonnes of the stuff will be judged by 150 experts (homegrown produce from Cornish Blue won it last year). MasterChef celebrities John Torode and Gregg Wallace host a live version of the show.