The fourth Abergavenny Food Festival Christmas Food and Drink Fair takes place on Sunday 14 December (10.00am – 5.00pm).
Chef Dem with Carl Cheetham, Head Chef at Gliffaes Hotel – photographer Toril Brancher
With over ninety hand-picked speciality food exhibitors every facet of the festive season is covered: fresh and cured meats, poultry and game, cheeses and chocolates, cakes and desserts, wines and liqueurs, ales and ciders and a whole lot more.
So whether your taste runs to the rare and exotic, the innovative or the traditional the Food and Drink Fair has it all in the bag. No more running from shop to shop and getting frazzled. This has to be the most convivial way to get ready to celebrate with friends and family.
Adult stroller tickets cost just £5.00 and give access to the Abergavenny’s beautiful Victorian Market Hall, plus Upper Brewery Yard and The Priory Centre at St Mary’s. If you’ve got children in tow (under 16), then they get in for free.
This year every stroller ticket holder will automatically be entered into a prize draw. The top prize is still to be confirmed (watch this space), but additional goodies include special Festival aprons signed by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and discounts from local shops will be in the mix too.
Alongside the markets there’s a rolling programme of seasonal demonstrations with top culinary talent. So you can shop then take a rest whilst getting tasty tips. And if you’re lucky, there might be some food to sample as well.
Children of course are at the heart of Christmas so there will be child-focused Secret Treat workshops in the Corn Exchange (accessed through Market Hall) – and word has it that adults will get a look-in too.
Plans are also under way to finish the day off with a community celebration of seasonal music, commencing in the Market Hall. See more details in next month’s Focus.
Box office goes live on 5 November. Buy online at abergavennyfoodfestival.com or through the Borough Theatre (tel: 01873 850805).
Chocolate stall photographer Tim Woodier
