29/07/11….Fourth food fest promises to be “the best yet”

EMERGING in 2008 with just a dozen food stalls around Thame town hall, the prestige of the town’s Food Festival, now in its fourth year, has grown to such an extent that top chefs are almost tripping over their apron strings to be involved.

One of the organisers, Sally Dorling, of Marketing Foods, said: “Thame Food Festival is a wonderful showcase for the passion of local artisan food and drink producers and retailers. It is a fun filled celebration of everything that is right with food in a great, free, inspiring, family day out in the centre of a beautiful market town. You can enjoy celebrity chef demos, children?s cookery workshops, food sampling and entertainment.

“The emphasis on fun and education about local and regional food products and the retailers. It brings the whole town together in a sense of community to share a wonderful food experience.

“Stallholder response has been incredible with over 60 confirmed bookings so far. Exhibitors include The Chiltern Brewery, The Good Biscuit Co, Merchants of Vino, Tims Dairy, Lassco Coffee Shop, Cavendish Events, Lotte?s Kitchen, Mortimer Chocolate Co, Daws Hill Vineyard, The Oxford Cheese Company and Chiltern Natural Foods.

“As headline sponsors we are delighted to welcome local food producers McCormick, home of Schwartz?s spices. They will be holding a cookery demo and will be offering free samples to all visitors on the day. David Wilson Homes Southern were proud sponsors of the official launch party at their show homes in Windmill Place in Thame and will be sponsoring the festival programme as well as donating a raffle prize of a meal for 8 at Windmill Place.”

Celebrity chef guests will include Katie & Giancarlo Caldesi, Raymond Blanc, Mark Peregrine and a certain Mr X from the Great British Menu.

There will be many star attractions including Cook Offs, Demos, Food Talks, Beer Tent, Music, Family Entertainment, Kids Workshops, Book Signings, Demo Kitchen & Big Screen.

This year’s sponsors are McCormick (Headline), David Wilson Homes Southern, Peach Pubs, Sainsbury?s, South Oxon District Council and The Spread Eagle Hotel.

Festival Partners are Le Manoir aux Quat?Saisons, Jack FM, Glide FM, Harrison Catering, Thame TV, Imaging Essence, Chiltern Railways, Arriva buses, British Food
Fortnight, Team Tourism, 21st Century Thame, Connell?s Estate Agents, Thame Town Council & Marketing Foods.

Additional supporters are Rumsey?s Chocolaterie, Cavendish Events, Aylesbury Catering College, The AGA Shop, Cottage Bakery, Giancarlo & Katie Caldesi, Mr X, Thame Gazette, Thame Out, Vale Life, Thamenews.Net, What?s Cooking, Thame 360, Thame Arts & Literature, Wallingford Food Festival, The Lions and comedian compere for the day Jams Davies.

This year?s Festival will be featuring once again a series of talks and food demos at The Stables at The James Figg, including wine tasting, a talk on fish sustainability by Mike Berthet of M&J Seafood and a hands-on sausage making session, plus a foodie pub quiz down the road at The Thatch.

?You can imagine how proud I am to be patron of this year?s Thame Food Festival? says renowned local TV chef, presenter and writer Lotte Duncan. ?Last year was great, but this year looks as if it?s going to be even tastier.?

?Thame Food Festival touches the hearts of people because it is a real festival? Giancarlo Caldesi supporter and celebrity guest chef.

The 4th Thame Food Festival, to be held on 24th September 2011, promises to be the best yet.