We round up some of the best gatherings for food and drink lovers over the coming months.
After the lull of winter, food festivals and events will be popping up all over the UK, dishing up great local food and drink, demonstrations from top chefs and a chance to celebrate all that's good about British fare. Here's our pick of what's going on this spring. All ticket prices quoted are for advance sales; it will generally cost more to pay at the door.
Real Food Festival
What: A showcase of top small producers and street food specialists on the banks of the Thames.
When: 3rd-6th May
Where: Southbank Centre, London
Cost: Free
More info: www.realfoodfestival.co.uk
Torq-eat
What: See what they've done there? Food stalls, street entertainment and local chefs hosting a cookery theatre.
When: 4th May
Where: Torquay Harbourside
Cost: Free
More info: www.englishriviera.co.uk
Munchies On The Meadow
What: A meadow full of local producers and suppliers for you to munch your way round, plus demonstrations and talks.
When: 4th May
Where: Meadow Room, Cobham, Kent
Cost: Free
More info: www.meadowroom.org.uk
Tideswell Food Festival
What: Artisan food and drink stalls, music, dancing and more.
When: 4th May
Where: Centre of Tideswell, Buxton
Cost: Free
More info: www.tastetideswell.co.uk
The Medicine Garden Art and Food Festival
What: Demonstrations and tasting sessions plus art and crafts workshops.
When: 6th May
Where: The Medicine Garden, Cobham, Surrey
Cost: £4 donation per family
More info: www.themedicinegarden.com
Stilton Cheese Rolling
What: An historic event where teams compete to be crowned cheese rolling champions at the village festival.
When: 6th May
Where: Stilton, Leicestershire
Cost: Free
More info: www.stilton.org
Christchurch Food & Wine Festival
What: A market, demonstrations from star chefs and plenty of things for the kids to do at this family-oriented festival.
When: 10th-19th May
Where: Various venues around Christchurch
Cost: Some events free, most workshops and demonstrations ticketed
More info: www.christchurchfoodfest.co.uk
Grillstock Bristol
What: A celebration of barbeque culture, accompanied by craft beer, live music and some smokin' hot competitions (think chillis). You can see what happened at Grillstock 2012 in Andrew Webb's article.
When: 11th-12th May
Where: Lloyds Amphitheatre, Bristol
Cost: Adults from £7.50
More info: grillstock.co.uk
Ludlow Spring Food Festival
What: The organisers promise "more than beer, bangers and bread" at this festival in a very historic setting.
When: 11th-12th May
Where: Ludlow Castle
Cost: Adults from £6; children 5-13 £1.50
More info: www.springevent.org.uk
St Andrews Food Fair
What: Local produce, talks and workshops are on offer at this indoor event.
When: 12th May
Where: Byre Theatre, St Andrews
Cost: Free
More info: www.byretheatre.com
Loch Fyne Food Fair
What: Roll up for a feast of West Coast food, ale and entertainment.
When: 18th-19th May
Where: Fields next to the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Cairndow
Cost: Free
More info: www.lochfyne.com
Alresford Watercress Festival
What: A huge street festival in Hampshire to celebrate a local delicacy.
When: 19th May
Where: New Alresford
Cost: Free
More info: www.watercressfestival.org
RAW Artisan Wine Fair
What: Sample over 1,000 wines from artisan producers from around the globe.
When: 19th-20th May
Where: Old Truman Brewery, London
Cost: £20
More info: www.rawfair.com
VegFest UK Bristol
What: One of Europe’s biggest events for vegetarians heads outdoors with live music to complement the veggie goodness.
When: 24th-26th May
Where: Ampitheatre and Waterside Square, Bristol
Cost: Adults £2; children £1
More info: bristol.vegfest.co.uk
Bretforton Silver Band Asparagus Auction
What: Part of the British Asparagus Festival, hundreds gather in the courtyard of the pub to bid for the season's largest, freshest and greenest asparagus.
When: 26th May
Where: The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Worcestershire
Cost: Free
More info: www.britishasparagusfestival.org
Dartington Food Fair
What: The best of South Devon's local produce plus pony rides and a cider bar.
When: 26th-27th May
Where: The Shops, Dartington
Cost: Free
More info: www.dartington.org/shops/food-fair
Know of an event we haven't listed here? Please add it to the Comments section below (no trade events please).
This article has been updated since its original publication
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