Kokova Magazine

Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival is back all September, offering a month of delicious and quirky events in the UK’s most trendy city by the sea.

Superb Sussex seasonal fare will blend with Brighton’s unique city foodie culture, offering an eclectic mix of tasty events for food lovers, visitors and local families.

Every weekend offers up a major public foodie event, including the centrepiece 'Big Sussex Market' on September 10-11 by the Royal Pavilion, with an exciting Live Food Show with chefs demos.

Kicking off a 'new tradition' this year, festival organisers are offering ‘Sussex Cheese Bowling' as part of the People’s Picnic on 17 September at Preston Park; and the Fiery Food Chilli Festival, the biggest UK chilli event, runs September 17-18, offering cult chilli followers an eye watering, spicy experience.

Sussex will also show off its world-beating bubbly at the Champagne & Sussex Sparkling Wine Festival on September 25 at Hotel du Vin.

Every weekend, Sussex Gourmet tours are on offer, with a guided tour of local producers in the stunning Sussex Downs countryside - hop on the vintage bus to discover the provenance of some of the best produce Sussex has to offer - but do book ahead.

Families can also enjoy the 'Sussex and the World Market' by the sea on Hove Lawns on September 24, running alongside the Children’s Food Festival, with lots of foodie fun for kids.

Lots of other ticketed events and special festival menus are on offer across the city, including 'Bitter and Twisted' who are making an appearance this year on the evening of September 9th with an exciting live food testing event; and 'Make Your Case' gives local vintners six minutes to argue why their chosen wine is the best (£15 max per bottle) - limited tickets available so get in there quick.

As the festival comes to an end, Brighton Oktoberfest toasts the awards with a showcase of the best Sussex beer and continental beers available from Friday 30th September - Sunday 2nd October (ticketed) before the festival curtain closes with the Brighton & Hove Foodie Awards 2011 ceremony at Hotel du Vin (www.brightonfoodawards.com).

For more information: www.brightonfoodfestival.com