food/drink
A Month Of
FEASTIVALS
With its world renowned produce and popular local markets South Wales is never short of good food, and this month that’s something worth celebrating.This September brings with it a plate full of food and drink festivals, James de Gruyther explores which ones to sink your teeth into.
ST FAGANS FOOD FESTIVAL
National History Museum, St Fagans Sat 7 & Sun 8 Sept
Hop on down to St Fagans this month to indulge both your love of history and of having your taste buds pampered. The museum will be throwing open its doors to allow you to sample both cutting-edge cuisine and a healthy dollop of traditional Welsh foods (to make all feel at home). Experience the historic exhibitions whilst enjoying a diverse array of foods. From Balearic Spanish buffets to artisan sorbets and ice-creams, there will be something there to entice those with even the ficklest of fancies. What’s more, it’s absolutely free. Admission: free. Info: 029 2057 3500 / www.museumwales.ac.uk
LUDLOW MARCHES FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
Ludlow, Shropshire Fri 13-Sun 15 Sept
The historic town of Ludlow, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Food Town’, is a place that is no stranger to good grub. With Ludlow Castle providing the stage for more than 160 local producers, the Ludlow Marches Food And Drink Festival is the annual culmination of the towns gastronomic knowledge. The festival, however, is not restricted to the castle’s walls and you can explore town through its foodie trails. The Sausage Trail is one of the most popular choices, where participants can wander around Ludlow’s butchers’ shops, trying out tasty treats and vote for their favourite new sausage recipe. Admission: free. Info: 01584 875053 / www.foodfestival.co.uk
TRETOWER APPLE FESTIVAL
Tretower Court And Castle, Powys Sat 21 & Sun 22 Sept
Tretower once again welcomes back the Tretower Apple Festival, where a mind-frazzling variety of apples will be available to sample – certain to keep apple fans happy as pie. Couple this with the fact that resident apple experts will be at hand to talk you through some of the finer fruits there, and you’ve got a must-see for fruit connoisseurs everywhere. And for those who prefer their apples in a more drinkable form, why not try the excellent local ciders. Bee keeping and Morris dancing are of course an added bonus. Tickets: from £3.60. Info: 01874 73027 9 / www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
WELSH TAPAS FESTIVAL
King Street, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire Sat 7 & Sun 8 Sept
For those foodies who prefer their festivals to be more than the standard affair, then this festival is definitely for you. The focus here is obviously tapas, with a group of rotating in-house chefs all competing against each other to be the best and fastest tapas hand in the wild west (south west Wales, at least). With each of their dishes being scored by you the public, each chef is then judged in their own special award ceremony. Using solely Welsh produce, this is a perfect mixture of Welsh and Spanish culture. Add to this the music festival atmosphere throughout the town, this festival guarantees a unique experience. Admission: free. Info: www.ffres.org
ABERYSTWYTH FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
Baker Street, Aberystwyth Sat 21 Sep
Back for its 12th event to date, this festival is a showcase of the best local produce that Wales has to offer, whilst also giving a selection of excellent produce from the wider world. Holding useful demonstrations in basic home cooking, there is a strong concentration on teaching youngsters the importance of preparing food themselves and of using quality local produce. With over 50 producers attending there will be no shortage of variety, which as we know is the spice of life. Admission: free. Info 01970 633066 / www.walesthetruetaste.co.uk
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