Return Of Wirral Food And Drink Festival

The successful Wirral Food and Drink Festival returns this year even bigger and better. Following the incredible success of this volunteer-led event last year, which attracted more than 14,000 people, the event will again be held in the picturesque surroundings of Claremont Farm.

At the farm, renowned for its farm shop and its asparagus, there will be around 80 stalls selling quality produce from around the region including specialist liquors, artisan cheese, bespoke wedding cakes, chillies, fresh fish, pies, watercress, freshly picked vegetables, sweetcorn and much, much more….

The specialist beer area returns with around 40 offerings from local breweries and top local brewer Cains has come on board as a sponsor.

Rachel Guratsky, one of the organisers of the festival, said: “We are working hard to make this again a fantastic event and we have already had huge interest from producers.”

A new exciting addition is the Home Grown cheese awards, sponsored by the Cheese Shop, Chester, where top judges will gather to assess the best from small producers across the North West and Wales, and maybe even further afield.

Carole Faulkner, owner of the Cheese Shop and cheese specialist, said: “The awards will help promote small producers; such as those farmers who are using their milk to make unique cheese and it will hopefully encourage people to try something new.”

At this year’s Wirral Food and Drink Festival, where entry is free, there will be:

• Around 100 producers offering selling quality produce from around the region including specialist liquors, artisan cheese, bespoke wedding cakes, chillies, fresh fish, pies, watercress, freshly picked vegetables, sweetcorn and more

• A specialist beer marquee with around 35 offerings from local breweries and there will be a wine bar

• There will be a children’s area with fun and educational workshops as well as the chance to pick up some circus skills

• A World Food area will highlight some of the culturally diverse food available in the North West

• Chef’s demonstrations from top Wirral and Liverpool restaurants such as Julian’s, Rendezvous, Malmaison and London Carriage Works, hosted by celebrity chef Brian Mellor

• Entertainment, including live radio broadcasts

Rachel Guratsky, festival organiser, said: “This festival is about fun and it is there for everyone from foodies to those just looking for an enjoyable day out.”

The festival is supported again this year by ERDF funding from Wirral Council, Cains, The Mersey Partnership, North West Fine Foods and there will be fundraising by Claire House Hospice and the Lions. The 2007 Wirral Food and Drink Festival is completely run by a team of volunteers.

Emma Degg, Head of Tourism and Marketing at Wirral Council, which is supporting the festival for a second year with ERDF funding, said: "Following a year long Wirral Visitor Survey conducted by Ipsos MORI, we are now focusing on the elements identified by the research, one of which is Quality Food. With the huge success of the first Wirral Food and Drink Festival and the monthly Wirral Farmers’ Market, it is clear that there is a demand for quality food events in the borough".

Claire House Hospice and the Lions will also be fundraising and there will be a variety of events in the run-up to the Festival around the peninsula.

The 2007 Wirral Food and Drink Festival takes place on Sunday, August 26, and Monday, August 27, it is run completely by volunteers and entry is free.

Chairman of Culture Northwest Loyd Grossman said: "The second Wirral Food and Drink Festival is set to be even bigger and better than last year. It was wonderful to find so many people were interested in the fantastic food the region has to offer."

The story behind the food festival involves two people having an idea over a glass of wine. Wirral has a lot to offer and Andy from Claremont Farm and Anne, a local food writer, felt somebody needed to shout about it and so the idea for the festival was born. More enthusiastic food lovers came on board to make it a huge success and without them the whole thing would not be possible.

For more information visit Wirralfoodfestival.co.uk.