Big crowds are expected in Burnham-On-Sea today (Saturday) as the town holds its third Food and Drink Festival.
More than 70 exhibitors, stallholders and chefs are taking part from 9am, with several roads in the town centre closed for the day.
.SATURDAY’S FOOD FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
9am Doors open at all venues and the market
10.30am Bread making demo starts in Somerset Skills & Learning
11.00am Madeline Francis (local chef) on at KDS Fresh Ideas Stage
Noon Kieran Lenihan and Chris Westgate (cooking with foraged food) on at KDS Fresh Ideas Stage
1pm Manveena from The Somerset Curry Club (indian street food) on at KDS Fresh Ideas Stage
1.30pm Entries close for the Brew Off
2pm Joanna Weinberg (Times columnist, author) on at KDS Fresh Ideas Stage
2.30pm Entries close for Bake Off (and judging starts, i.e. cutting them up)
2.30pm Sugarcraft demo starts in Somerset Skills & Learning
2.30pm Brew Off competition winner announced in Princess Theatre
3pm The Princess Theatre will close – this is accommodate the theatre production later in the evening
3pm Stefano Silvani (authentic Italian chef – stall holder at the festival) on at KDS fresh Ideas Stage
3.30pm The Great Burnham Burn Off chilli eating competition on the outdoor stage
4pm Dr Nevin Stewart (cider and apple juice maker) on at KDS Fresh Ideas Stage
4.30pm Bake Off winners announced
5pm Festival closes
The organisers, Beverley and Sarah Milner Simonds, are keeping their fingers crossed that the weather stays dry for the harvest-themed event.
“There are over 75 stallholders with products on show as varied as fresh venison to artisan breads, sauces & pickles to Caribbean jerk chicken, local beers and smoothies,” said Bev.
The festival is free to enter and is open from 9am to 5pm across five indoor venues and a large outdoor market.
Venues include Somerset Skills and Learning, Burnham Baptist Church, Baptist Hall, Princess Theatre and Methodist Church and the market will also take place in Victoria Street and College Street.
There are also three competitions taking place today – The Great Burnham Bake Off for home and professional bakers; The Great Burnham Brew Off for home beer brewers; and The Great Burnham Burn Off, a chilli pepper eating competition.
On the KDS Fresh Ideas Stage, top chefs will be sharing their hints, tips and techniques on the hour every hour from 11am.
Bev said: “The festival is a labour of love for us – we love Burnham-On-Sea and we love food and drink. We have selected so many great producers for this festival – we hope that visitors agree it is the best selection yet.”
Fellow festival director Sarah added: “We aim to put on a day that has something for everyone – so wherever you are a looking to try a few different things, stock up on Christmas gifts and ideas, a chilli-head looking for a new heat-high or parents trying to explain the food-chain in more depth we think we have got it covered.”
The festival offers a great opportunity to try something new and there is certainly something for everyone with food as varied as Caribbean jerk chicken, deep south style pulled pork, wood fired pizza and traditional pies, ales and cheese.
