NEWS FEED
Christchurch Food Festival in May has even more to offer
This year’s Christchurch Food Festival, running from 1 to 21 May, promises even more for food lovers and visitors alike.
The 18th festival will again feature the popular Festival Market with stalls the length of the High Street and the Festival Village on the Quomps at Christchurch Quay on the weekend of 6 and 7 May. There will also be the Highcliffe Revival Food Festival on the weekend of 20 and 21 May. In addition events will be taking place in restaurants, pubs and cafes throughout Christchurch during May.
Highlights on 6 and 7 May include the Demonstration Marquee with free demonstrations from local and celebrity chefs including Dean Edwards, Master Chef winner and resident chef on ITV’s Lorraine and Lesley Waters, the Festival’s Patron as well as chocolatier Alana Spencer who was the 2016 winner of BBC’s The Apprentice. Also in the Festival Village will be a range of stalls selling food and drink including a Beer Festival.
The Quomps will also be the new home for Kids’ Kitchen, giving children a chance to try their hands at preparing some tasty dishes either on their own or with a parent or guardian. Tickets are selling fast and can be bought from The Regent Centre online or in person.
In Saxon Square for the first time will be Broil, who will be demonstrating barbecuing – not only for people to watch but to have a go as well.
A number of special events take place during the main Festival weekend including on 5 May, the Perfect Hoedown Throwdown – a lively evening of food and dancing to the Celidh band Black Sheep. On 6 May in the evening, Dean Edwards will be demonstrating some of his signature dishes and this will be followed by supper and entertainment. Both events are ticketed so visit the festival website for more information and to book tickets.
Car parking is at a premium during the festival weekend and visitors are recommended to travel into the town via public transport or park further away. For 2017 there will be a paid-for Park & Stride car park costing £5 for the whole day. This is at Stanpit Recreation Ground, and will be operated by the local Air Traffic Corps (ATC). The Recreation Ground can be found half way down Stanpit on the outskirts of Christchurch at BH23 3NA.
