North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival on Holkham Estate, permitted by Earl and Countess of Leicester, on September 3 and 4
This year’s popular North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival which takes place in the Walled Garden on the Holkham Estate, by kind permission of the Earl and Countess of Leicester, is on September 3 and 4.
The festival, the largest food festival in Norfolk, with more than 12,000 visitors over the weekend, sees around 65 local producers offering a wide variety of artisan food and drink, including craft beers, cheeses, fresh sourdough bread, cakes, wines and more.
Norwich-based Kettle Foods is the headline sponsor, with a local magazine as a media partner, and the emphasis is very much on celebrating local producers and produce.
Expect to see new names such as the Norfolk Doggy Deli alongside well known favourites like Candi’s Chutney, Walsingham Farms Shop and Nortons Dairy.
The Arthur Howell Cookery Theatre, hosted by Andy Newman, runs on both days and has a packed programme of chef demonstrations, with both up and coming and well established names taking part – and all using local, seasonal ingredients. Arthur always teams up with his friend and local chef patron Chris Coubrough of The Crown Hotel in Wells to set the pace with a laugh-a-minute show where there just might be a little cooking on display!
Michael Chamberlain, head chef at the Estate’s Victoria Inn, cooks with venison from the Estate’s own herd, Fran Hartshorne from the White Horse at Brancaster Staithe is using seafood to create something special, and Scott Taylor from The Harper at Langham is all about puddings!
Also expect to see Abbi Saunt from Creake Abbey Food Hall and Cafe, Rajan Verma from Currylicious, Gary Stewart from The Hoste in Burnham Market, local cookery school teacher Na Hansell, and Joe Walker who works for the Chestnut group of hotels which includes The Globe in Wells.
Local producers are also taking part, with David Holliday from Moongazer Ales talking about his microbrewery and how to cook a cake with beer, while Sarah and Patrick Saunders of Black Shuck Gin tell us all about their range of gins and spirits, and Sarah Savage of Essence Foods demonstrates her range.
Festival chair Chris Coubrough says: "We are delighted how everything is coming together and we are hopeful of a really great festival. It’s very much a family friendly event, with story telling for children and plenty of live music. And dogs are welcome, too!"
Entry is free and car parking is available at £5 per vehicle. The festival opens from 10am to 4pm on both days.
The festival is run by local foodies who all volunteer their services to support this family-friendly event which is a firm favourite in the culinary calendar. Facilities and attractions at the hall, an 18th century Palladian style house, are also available including shops, bike hire, a high ropes course and a cafe. There are many lovely Estate walks, and Holkham beach is regularly voted one of the best in the country.
More details from www.northnorfolkfoodfestival.co.uk