Burnham-On-Sea town centre will be full of amazing tastes and flavours again today (Saturday) when the town’s food festival, known as ‘Eat: Burnham-On-Sea’, returns.
Now in its fifth year, the event has grown again and has over 130 of the region’s finest food and drink producers alongside a wide variety of free entertainment.
Today’s poor weather will not stop the event going ahead, say organisers. Co-organiser Bev Milner Simonds told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Over the past ten festivals, the good old British weather has not dampened the Festival spirit yet!”
“But of course, the safety of our crew, traders and visitors is of paramount importance and we work closely with our health and safety team to ensure this is always a priority. This year is no different. We’ve asked our exhibitors who have stand-alone gazebos to bring extra ballast as well their great range of food and drink.”
She added : “We are really pleased with the line-up of traders and the great range of festival activities planned for our 11th festival in our hometown.”
“The positivity from visitors and traders about this festival spurs us on to get more creative and include more and more free elements. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors and partners, the district council and of course our volunteer stewards.”
“I’m looking forward to welcoming the livestock and giant tractors who help us tell the story of the connection between the countryside that surrounds us, food production and the amazing range of produce on sale at the festival.”
And Sarah Milner Simonds, the event’s co-organiser, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We have made a few tweaks this time, like we can’t use the Princess Theatre, so we have focused more on The Ritz – which works well as we coincide with their Cider and Music festival.”
“They are hosting our Hawksmoor Cookery School and the Hot Wings Competition later in the day, plus our Retreat Music Stage will be outside.”
“This Autumn we wanted to focus on learning and so the KDS Fresh Ideas Stage is being run as three masterclasses with The School Chef, Steve Fowell and we have an outdoor cookery demo rolling all day with Ben Forte and Nigel Smith using local ingredients on Jerk Pan BBQ Co. Equipment.”
“As always we welcome feedback so if readers have questions or queries please do get in touch via our Facebook page or email to hello@eatfestivals.org.”
The team has assembled an outstanding range of food and drink producers and just over 130 will be celebrating the best of the region on the day.
Expect farmers’ markets favourites like high quality beef and lamb, beers and cheeses, alongside speciality teas, gourmet marshmallows, chilli oils and scrolled ice cream. There will be an impressive range of street food available, with global flavours made from local ingredients.
Steve Fowell, School Chef of the Year SW regional winner 2017, of Mendip Green First School will be sharing his ability to create inspiring food for just over £1 a portion.
Steve wants to reignite a passion for cooking with the family. In his fast-paced, high energy classes Steve will create an awesome Tomato and Bacon Pasta Bake, give a knife skills demonstration and pack in three delicious and easy-to-make dishes in “Three ways with chicken!”.
Watching Steve cook these suppertime stunners will leave you wanting to get in your kitchen to cook with your family. He will be in the Baptist Church at 11am, 12 and 1pm.
“We think Steve puts the joy back into sourcing, preparing, cooking and eating together,” added Bev.
A new feature this time will be the Hot Wings Competition. Can you take the heat? The fastest person to strip 12 fiery hot chicken wings to the bone will win a Pitchfork Ales brewery tour & tasting. Sign up at the bar at the Ritz Cider Festival and take to the stage at 3pm.
There will also be giant tractors, lambs, strolling entertainment, music and Punch & Judy shows – all free thanks to the Retreat Caravan Park.
Hawksmoor Cookery School’s Chrissie Godfrey will be leading a hands-on workshop for you to experiment with some exciting, punchy flavours and bring out the best from your spices. In a small group, you will create two great dishes.
The first is a range of accompaniments for Indian starters, including fresh date chutney, carrot & white cabbage chutney and fresh raita with cucumber, cumin, onion, cider vinegar and chilli. You will be making all three and tasting them with pakoras. Part two is a North African spiced tagine using some of Chrissie’s fresh vegetables from her garden.
There will be lots of opportunity to taste, adjust, share and discuss. All the recipes are available will be available for you to take home with you afterwards. Suitable for adults and families with children aged 7+. Chrissie’s classes will be in the Ritz Social Club at 10.30am, 12, 1.30pm and 3pm
Outdoor cookery demos will also be held all day. Cooking up a storm on College Street all day will be Ben Forte (Channel 4 and UNITEDQ) and local cook Nigel Smith on the Jerk Pan BBQ Co. handmade BBQs. Using ingredients from the festival they will be showing why BBQing isn’t just a summertime thing.
