It's a Sell-Out as Food Festival Turns Up the Heat in Cockermouth
Approximately 25,000 visitors poured into Cockermouth over 29th and 30th September, as organisers of 2012's Taste Cumbria Food Festival have announced the highest visitor figures ever.
A town fast gaining a reputation as a food lovers' paradise, Cockermouth and the Taste Cumbria Food Festival is now firmly established as a date in the diary.
Hotel rooms had already sold out weeks ahead of the foodie weekend, where celebrity chefs James Martin and Simon Rimmer joined forces with local talent Simon Rogan, Peter Sidwell and Stephen Doherty to show thousands of visitors how to cook expertly and creatively with fabulous Cumbrian ingredients.
The festival enjoyed fabulous weather on the Saturday, and rain on Sunday failed to dampen spirits as tourists and locals alike packed into the events which were also sold out and Main Street and Memorial Gardens were buzzing with 100's of local producers and lively free activities for the whole family.
Although organised by the not-for–profit organisation Taste Cumbria, the success meant that some exhibitors have even reported taking double the profits of last year.
The atmosphere was amazing! Everyone was on the streets having fun and enjoying great local food. Events like these really inspire the passion to discover local produce and how you can use it.
Naomi Darbishire from Agnes Rose, who was demoing at the exhibition for the first time, and exhibiting for the second time
Taste Cumbria Food Festival was conceived as a project to bring the town of Cockermouth back from the devastating floods of 2009. Now in its third year, the organisation supports all Cumbrian businesses involved in local produce, from farm to fork.
We've just completed some ground breaking research which reveals that food tourism is vital to our visitor economy and £429m was spent by visitors to Cumbria on food and drink in 2011. We want to ensure that figure increases and all businesses benefit. Last year's festival had a net impact of over £5million on the Cumbrian economy and, as we've smashed last year's visitor figures, I think we're well on target to beat that this year too.
Mary Houston, Food Tourism Co-ordinator
Those interested in the work of Taste Cumbria, or wanting to get involved in next year’s festival, should visit www.tastecumbria.com.