Kokova Magazine

With a forum of experts discussing Suffolk and the Sea and a great range of exhibitors and events, this year’s Aldeburgh Food and Drink festival is shaping up to be the best yet.

Running from 23rd September to 8th October, with the main weekend event taking place at Snape Maltings on 24th and 25th September, the festival will once again showcase the cream of East Suffolk’s food and drink producers, with plenty of opportunities for visitors to try before they buy.

Other highlights will include cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, fun food-related activities, workshops, boat trips, RSPB-guided walks and more.

Last year introduced the start of the festival with a conference and due to its huge success the festival will begin with the conference, which will be on Friday 23rd September. The conference will include bringing together senior figures from the world of food and nutrition, staged in the Aldeburgh Music’s Hoffman Building at Snape Maltings.

Entitled Suffolk and the Sea, focusing on the sea as a threat from sea level rise and flooding and the sea as an endangered resource, resulting from over-fishing.

Sheila Dillon, the presenter of BBC Radio 4 Food Programme, is chairing the conference and the keynote speaker will be James Thornton, the chief executive of Client Earth and who is working on the reform of Europe’s Common Fisheries Policy.

During the morning speakers will concentrate on the major problems relating to climate change and over-fishing.

In the afternoon there will be shorter presentations, looking at Suffolk solutions, involving farmers, fishermen, schoolchildren and local authorities.

Aldeburgh’s Food and Drink Festival Chef Lineup

The return of a thrilling line-up of celebrity chefs, writers and broadcasters will take to the stage for a second time at this year's 6th annual Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, (main sponsor Adnams) - including The Guardian's Food and Drink Editor, Matthew Fort, culinary adventurer Valentine Warner and two Michelin starred and award winning chef Brett Graham of The Ledbury who has recently one 34th position in the World’s Best Restaurant awards.

Some of the UK’s top chefs will also be on hand to share their skills and help bring attention to the excellent quality of Suffolk’s home-grown produce and locally manufactured products.

Back by popular demand the centerpiece of the Festival's schedule will be the live Marquee Stage and the Courtyard Stage, where visitors can enjoy presentations and local food demos by respected foodies.

Top cooks sharing their expertise and becoming regular faces at the festival include Michelin-starred chef Galton Blackiston and Thomasina Miers, former winner of MasterChef, who has had great success with her Mexican-inspired Wahaca restaurants.

Local restaurateur, chef and renowned recipe writer Madalene Bonvini-Hamel from the British Larder Suffolk will be returning to the stage to demonstrate her passion for local produce twined with her culinary adventurism.

The lineup of chefs is kept fresh with debuts from Henry Harris who channels his childhood passion for food and 10 years worth of experience into his restaurant, Racine and Richard Bertinet master baker.

Of course a festival celebrating the abundance of good local food and drink to be found in East Suffolk wouldn’t feel right without supporting the chefs who bring these delights to restaurant tables all over the county and we have a host of local chefs that will share some of their signature dish recipes with the crowds.

Fringe events based in various locations throughout East Suffolk aim to engage more people in the festival, as well as increasing the understanding of the wider importance of local, seasonal food and drink and their integration with sustainable farming, fishing and food production.

The programme includes organic farm walks, 'meet the producers' events, progressive suppers, cookery workshops, training and gourmet food experiences. Restaurants, pubs and hotels in the area will also be supporting the festival with special menus based on local produce and ingredients.

Entrance to the weekend event at Snape Maltings is £6 per person in advance or £7 on the gate or £10pp for the weekend (under 13's go free) and will include free parking, a cotton shopping bag and festival programme.

Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival has launched a new website which will continually be updated with further information concerning the events taking place.

You can also following the festival on twitter https://twitter.com/AldeburghFood
www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk