The Norwich Food & Drink Festival – a Preview

I cannot wait for next Sunday! A celebration of all things foodie – and all things Norfolk – at the annual Norwich Food and Drink Festival. This brilliant day out for all the family will be held once more at The Forum in Norwich, as well as on the adjoining streets, and there is so much to look forward to.

Cozens-Hardy LLP Solicitors are once more the headline sponsors for this fabulous event, which will see everything from cooking demos and a foodie street market to Battle of the Bangers and Splat the Dad. The event begins at 10am on Sunday 17 June, and finishes at 5pm.

This is a great way to celebrate Father’s Day, as there will, once again be a pop-up festival beer garden provided by the brilliant Adnams.

Once you have refreshed yourselves with a drink, an absolute must for the festival is taking part in the final ever Battle of the Bangers.

Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management have sponsored this brilliant event, organised by Sarah Daniels from The RedCat Partnership, who celebrated their 20th anniversary earlier this year. The Battle of the Bangers will be fiercely contested by 10 different butchers/farmers from across Norfolk, all hoping to win both the public vote and the judges vote. Each year, the event sees over 1,000lbs of sausage meat being used , and the public will have a chance to taste all 10 bangers before casting their vote. Make sure you get there early so as not to miss out.

Lovewell Blake are once again sponsoring the brilliant Producers Street Market – which this year will be bigger than ever.

From local wines – think Flint, Chet and Winbirri – to gins, jams and cakes, as well as Norfolk”s famous rapeseed oil – thanks to Yare Valley and Crush – there will be something for everyone to buy. And if you forget your shopping bag, don’t worry as I will be selling them on the Norfolk Food & Drink stand directly outside the forum!

The Cookery Demonstration Theatre is always popular, and kicks off this year at 10.30am with Chris Busby from Brasteds. Following him will be Norfolk Food & Drink Patron and owner of Benedicts Restaurant, Richard Bainbridge who will be ably assisted by his Sous Chef, Ashley. Other Cooking Demo highlights include Great British Bake Off star Kate Barmby, Richard Hughes from The Assembly House, Andrew Jones from Farmyard and The Dial House, and Candi Robertson of Candi’s Chutney with Andrew Baker, Executive Chef of OPEN Norwich.

In addition, there will be a Street Food Market, and a Foodie Fun Zone for the kids – as well as a chance to Splat the Dad with a wet sponge, something that both children and dads loved last year (it was a seriously hot day…).

I really hope that many of you reading this will come along. The Norwich Food & Drink Festival is a great day out. And with Norfolk produce continually on the up, where better to come along, try before you buy, and enjoy a superb day with like-minded people.

For full information, visit Norfolk Food & Drink.