Now the feast is over, Queen of puds or Custard pie?

THE organisers of the Thame Food Festival report that the move to the Thame Show Ground, and the festival’s new, two-day format, have proved to be a ‘winning formula’.

Alice Middleton’s winning cake

Thousands of visitors travelled to the showground over the weekend of September 30 – October 1, to sample the wares of 180 stalls, and to watch demonstrations from celebrity chefs, including Raymond Blanc, and stars of the TV Bake Off programme. The overall winner of The Great Thame Bake was Alice Middleton, from Thame, who was presented with a Magimix, the festival’s main sponsor, by Jane Devonshire. The attractions included a pop-up pub and restaurant, Gin garden and specialist dog treat stalls for the four legged show visitors, with demonstrations and fun Dog Shows by locally based, national charity the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

Why the move?

Though many people took to social media to say how much they had enjoyed the festival and welcomed the move, not everyone was so up-beat. Just as many people said that they missed the buzz and atmosphere of the festival when it was held in the town centre, and others resented having to pay the £5 entrance fee for each of the two days. The festival organisers had given as the main reason for the change of venue, that the crowded atmosphere in the town centre as the festival has grown over the years, was uncomfortable for many visitors and even dangerous for some. Also, the cost of running the festival meant that it was no longer viable as a free event, it was explained.

Lotte Duncan

‘So pround’

Lotte Duncan, Patron and organiser of this year’s food festival, said: ““It was so fabulous to see all the hard work of everyone come to fruition. And as part of British Food Fortnight, I am so proud that yet again alongside our main sponsors and feature stalls, we have given the opportunity for small artisan producers to showcase the wonderful diverse and delicious range of foods inspired from around the world; but produced here in Britain.”

Does the festival benefit the town?

Sonja Francis, a founder-member of the original Thame Food Festival, commented: “I’m glad for Lotte and her hard-working team that they felt that the festival move was a success for them, and I’m pleased that so many people enjoyed their visit. I’m sure it was all jolly nice, spacious and exciting. But my personal disappointment at the move is that the festival no longer benefits the town itself, which was it’s original intention.

“Unfortunately, over the last few years, the food festival grew away from it’s original raison d’etre which was to promote Thame’s food and drink offer and to support small food producers etc within a 30 mile radius of the town. As such the stalls and visitors were manageable and those that came were interested in supporting small and local producers.

Room for a ‘fringe’ ?

Joe from Deli @ No.5, offers cheese, cake and beer to the hard-working band, Swervy World, who entertained shoppers on the Thame Food Trail

I hope that next year’s Thame Food Trail (a toe in the ‘fringe water’ this year, organised by 21st Century Thame) will be expanded so that more businesses in the town benefit too. Some food and drink establishments have already indicated to me that they want to do more in the town next year. Most cannot afford to transfer their businesses to the show ground, especially for two days.

“The food festival now is a different beast – I’m not saying less good, but very different from its origins. I’m sure there’s room for both the main festival and a fringe event linking the town once again to the festival, if there is sufficient interest among the town centre food and drink operators. Time will tell.”