If you can’t wait for Taste, get yourself down to Earls Court in May for London's second Real Food Festival. For three days, 500 hand-picked producers will be showcasing delicious food and drink that is produced ethically, fairly and sustainably in the UK and around the world. Driven by a passion for food that is fresh and grown or reared on healthy soil, free from chemicals, so that it is packed with flavour and essential nutrients, the Real Food Festival brings together food champions, artisan producers and food lovers in a single event. Here are some of things you can get up to at this year’s show:
The Real Food Market - You might be surprised and delighted at the cost and value that you will be able to find at this year's festival. Buying direct from the people who produce your food can be less expensive than you might think and you will enjoy better, healthier food. Producers already confirmed include Cocoa Loco; Keens Cheddar; Royal Berkshire Pork; Holly Cupcakes; Tea Pigs; South Devon Chilli Farm; Rachel’s Organic; The Bristol Pasta Company; Connemara Smokehouse and many, many more. Check out the full list of exhibitors here.
Real Food Theatre - An exciting array of chef talent will be on display at this year’s festival, with everyone involved giving up their time for free because they believe in supporting small producers. Some of the famous chefs involved include Raymond Blanc (Le Manoir), Giorgio Locatelli (Locanda Locatelli); Thomasina Miers (Wahaca); Sanjay Dwivedi (Zaika); Arthur Potts Dawson (Acorn House); Oliver Rowe (Konstam); Nic Watt (Roka); and Cyrus Todiwala (Café Spice Namaste). Also in attendance: Tom Parker-Bowles, Ollie Rowe (the wine expert from Saturday Kitchen!), Fergus Henderson, and Willie Harcourt-Cooze from Channel 4’s Willie’s Wonky Chocolate Factory. For the full timetable, click here.
Cookery School - Barny Haughton and his team are bringing the Bordeaux Quay Cookery School back to this years Festival. Roll up your sleeves and join him in learning tips and techniques on how to buy and prepare the finest quality ingredients on a tight budget.
Meet The Animals - Taking a ‘farm to plate’ approach, the festival is giving visitors the chance to meet Petal the Water Buffalo, courtesy of Laverstoke Park Farm who make the only English-made mozzarella from her milk. Also back this year is the Sheep Show where you see Nobby the Norfolk, Susie Southdown and their friends. There will also be rare breed pigs; Daisy the Cow in a demonstration of milking and butter making; and the chickens will be on hand to help you understand the best way of keeping them.
Extras - The Real Food Debate (discussions about the effects of industrialized farming and food production on our health, economy and environment); a new Education Area where kids can learn more about food and how to make butter; and a Growing Food area with Garden Organic where green-fingered experts will be offering practical demonstrations on composting, planting seeds, digging up root crops and much more.
Tickets are on sale now, priced at £14.90.
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