This year’s Abergavenny Food Festival takes place over the weekend of 21 and 22 September and box office goes live on 2 July.
An adult stroller ticket (from £6.50) gives access to five venues with over two hundred exhibitors, plus a rolling programme of chef dems, a children’s Food Academy and other entertainment. It’s a fabulous day out for the whole family. And – to help keep costs down there is free entry for children under 16 (if accompanied by a paying adult).
If you’re reading this article then the chances are good that you are living in the NP7 postcode area. Well – that’s good news! On top of an early-bird discount – where prices are held over from last year – there’s an extra 10% discount on stroller tickets for NP7 residents until 31 August. Maximum of two discounted strollers per household. Buy online at www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com or through the Borough Theatre (where proof of residency will be required).
There’s plenty of provision for children at the festival. Thanks to sponsorship from Organic Centre Wales (www.organiccentrewales.org.uk) The Food Academy at the Castle has now been moved into ‘The Dome’ and the additional space will allow more children to experience drop-in hands-on workshops – including food mapping activies – using Welsh organic produce.
The Festival’s programme of forty individually ticketed events kicks off on Friday 20 September with Rick Stein, one of Britains best loved cooks. To mark the occasion of the publication of his memoir ‘Under a Mackerel Sky’ he’ll be in conversation with Xanthe Clay, food-writer for The Daily Telegraph (Borough Theatre 7.30 – 8.30pm, tickets £8.00). Starting off as an accidental chef when his nightclub business got closed down, Rick has scaled the highest heights as a restaurateur and cookery-writer, and is one of the most accomplished presenters of food on television. After the event he will be signing copies of his memoir which is published by Ebury Press.
Master Chef winner Shelina Permalloo
The culinary line-up also includes MasterChef 2012 winner Shelina Permaloo who will be sharing vegetarian dishes from her book ‘Sunshine on a Plate’ and Master Chocolatier Marc Demarquette who’ll be giving a tasting of his signature ganaches. World-acclaimed chef Magnus Nilsson is scheduled to fly in and talk about Fäviken – his amazing restaurant on the edge of the Arctic circle which seats just twelve people; and the head chef at El Pirata De Tapas, Omar Allibhoy (described by Gordon Ramsay as the Antonio Banderas of cooking) is going to show you how to cook paella … properly.
And there’s a special event for children too. If they are fans of CBBC’s Stefan Gates then you’ll want to bring them to see him in person with his fabulous show ‘Incredible Edibles Live’ at the Borough Theatre on the Saturday (Adults £6.00, Children: £3.00). This spectacular live show includes edible insects, mindblowing food science and some very very big explosions. Show your family that food is fun!
View full 2013 programme from 2 July and book online at www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com or through the Borough Theatre: 01873 850805.