Kokova Magazine

Loosen your belt in readiness for Hampshire's month-long celebration of local food and farming this July!

Farmers, producers, restaurants, pubs, cookery schools, attractions and town centres showcase the best of local food and drink during The Hampshire Food Festival which runs from 1st - 31st July 2011.

Held at numerous venues across Hampshire on the south coast of England the Hampshire Food Festival celebrates the food and drink produced, reared and grown in the county with over 90 different events.

Farm open days and walks; brewery, vineyard, orchard and lavender tours; celebratory lunches and dinners; butchery and fish filleting demos, cookery classes; jam, chocolate and cheese-making; milling and baking; cider pressing; trout and venison farming; foraging; beekeeping; cookery competitions; tastings and much more are among some of the activities taking place..

Antony Worrall Thompson will be cooking simple dishes using Hampshire produce alongside wine expert and TV presenter Olly Smith at The Festival Place Food Event in Basingstoke over the weekend of 16th and 17th July.

Atul Kochhar and his Executive Chef Jitin Joshi create an Indian barbecue on the terrace of Vatika overlooking Wickham Vineyard (9th July).

Laverstoke Park Farm hosts the Field to Fork Show incorporating the National BBQ Championships (July 30th and 31st).

Vegetarian food writer Rose Elliot will be demonstrating seasonal dishes at Winchester Discovery Centre (15th July).

The New Forest Show (26-28th July) showcases everything agricultural and is a great family day out.

The Hampshire Food Festival, now in its 11th year, is organised by county food group Hampshire Fare and attracted over 215,700 people in 2010.

The Festival's success has been recognised with a Gold award at The 2010 Beautiful South Awards organised by Tourism South East and it was the winner of the South of England Enterprise category in The 2010 Countryside Alliance Awards.

James Martin has given his support to this year’s Hampshire Food Festival by writing the programme foreword.

"Do take part in this year's Hampshire Food Festival to meet the local producers, explore the countryside and enjoy the best of Hampshire’s food and drink. I have lived and worked in Hampshire for the past 17 years and I am passionate about the amazing diversity of produce the county has to offer... one thing's for sure, if its great food you’re after, then join in the Hampshire Food Festival!"

Everyone who takes part in this year's Hampshire Food Festival also has the chance to win a luxury spa break with dinner at the fabulous 5* Chewton Glen in the New Forest.

Read the free Hampshire Food Festival programme where you can also sign up to receive Hampshire Fare's newsletter for your chance to win fabulous foodie prizes from luxury hotel stays in Hampshire, local food-themed experiences, gourmet meals and hampers.

The Hampshire Food Festival is supported by Hampshire County Council, and Hampshire Fare's Corporate Partners: Ecover, Festival Place, Fuller's, leepeckGroup, Newsquest, The Southern Co-operative and Wave 105 and Corporate Friends: The National Trust and New Forest & Hampshire County Show.
www.hampshirefare.co.uk