LITTLE WELSH NIBBLE
Rhondda Heritage Park, Vale Of Glamorgan Sun 22 Sept
This lesser-known festival is one that has a environmental aim as well as an edible one. The Little Welsh Nibble, also known as the Sustainable Food Free Festival, tries to keep a focus on low-cost, low-carbon, sustainable food. Among the exciting markets, fun films and live music is also a series of talks and demonstrations aimed at educating people about environmentally friendly eating. Admission: free. Info: 0144340231 www.rctcbc.gov.uk
NARBERTH FOOD FESTIVAL
Narberth, Pembrokeshire Sat 28 & Sun 29 Sept
This warm and welcoming community festival is completely run by volunteers, ensuring that everyone you meet is passionate about the local produce they provide. Given a gold for best event and silver for best disabled access in the Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards this year, this intimate festival is rife with both character and flavour. It also holds host to a variety of interesting talks for all you foodies out there, not to mention free cooking demonstrations and a quality showcase of some of the best live music that South Wales has to offer. Tickets: from £2.50. Info: 01834 860084 / www.narberthfoodfestival.com
COWBRIDGE FOOD FESTIVAL
Llandow, Cowbridge Sat 26 & Sun 27 Oct
Since its founding in 2004, this bustling and active festival has more than doubled in size, with a whopping eighty exhibitions and more than 15,000 visitors. Having won the National Tourism Award for Best Community Event in 2010, it’s not hard to see why. With a smorgasbord of food demonstrations and local food stalls, there’s plenty to do. Highlights include the dedicated wine & cheese marquee and a champagne tent for those of us wanting something even stronger than an extra mature cheddar. No foodie’s schedule is complete without. Tickets: TBC. Info: www.cowbridgefoodanddrink.org
BRIDGEND FEASTIVAL
Bridgend Town Centre Fri 27 & Sat 28 Sept
Boasting more than just a pun-tastic name, this family friendly event welcomes all lovers of locally produced foods – all offered up from a hustling barrage of colourful street stalls. This balmy festival is known for its off the wall entertainment and surreal food sculptures. Just to put that into perspective, last year they had a 6ft orang-utan swinging between cauliflower trees, and this year sees children being given the chance to design and build a spaghetti bridge. All this madness is wrapped up in a welcoming parcel of food tasting and live music. Admission: free. Info: www.bridgendfeastival.com
NEATH FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
Neath Town Centre Fri 4 & Sat 5 Oct
What’s better than a food festival? Why, one that lets you get slightly squiffy of course. Showcasing all the best that locally sourced produce has to offer, you’ll be seeing a vast array of food stalls outside Neath’s very own Victorian market. Now in its fifth year, soak up the historic atmosphere whilst savouring samples of the freshest produce, ranging from seafood, goats’ milk ice cream and long horn beef. There’s also the Vintage Baking And Produce Competition for all you cooking aficionados out there. Admission: free. Info 01639 686413 / www.npt.gov.uk