The Hampshire Food Festival 1st - 31st July 2012
Farmers, producers, restaurants, pubs, cookery schools, attractions and town centres showcase the best of local food and drink during July's Hampshire Food Festival.
The 2012 Hampshire Food Festival will run July 1-31 and exciting plans are underway! James Martin and wine expert Olly Smith have already been confirmed to headline the Festival as guests at Festival Place Food Festival in Basingstoke over the weekend of July 20-22.
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 around 100 different events: farm open days and walks; brewery, vineyard, orchard and lavender tours; celebratory lunches and dinners; food prep 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.
Remember, your event will need to include Hampshire food or drink in some way. If you're a food/drink producer wishing to take part, you'll need to be growing/rearing/producing food or drink from Hampshire.Please contact Sophie Boxall at Hampshire Fare on 01962 847098, sophie.boxall@hants.gov.uk if you have any queries.
Our research reveals that the 2011 Hampshire Food Festival attracted over 221,015 visitors to 93 different events (many of which were repeated during the month), hosted by 80 businesses and organisations. These included farms, producer outlets, vineyards, breweries, restaurants, pubs, hotels, libraries, town centres, farm shops and independent stores.
Our findings indicate that the Hampshire Food Festival economically benefitted Hampshire, bringing in over an estimated £3.82 million of visitor spending during the Festival.Read the summary report for more information.
In 2011, headline chefs included Atul Kochhar, Antony Worrall Thompson and James Martin, as well as TV wine expert Olly Smith and vegetarian food writer Rose Elliot. Local food and drink took centre-stage throughout!
James Martin gave his support to the 2011 Hampshire Food Festival by writing the programme foreword. James said: “ 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!”
The Festival’s success was recognised with 'Highly Commended' for 'Tourism Event of the Year' at the 2011 Beautiful South Awards for Excellence organised by Tourism South East and a Gold at the same awards in 2011 for 'Flavours of the South East'. It was also South of England Enterprise winner in The 2010 Countryside Alliance Awards.
