Royal Leamington Spa Food & Drink Festival returns for 2008

Next month sees the return of the ‘Royal Leamington Spa Food & Drink Festival’. Due to its popularity, the Festival has been extended to take place over two days. The Festival, which is free to attend, will take place on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August from 10am – 6pm at the Royal Pump Room Gardens.

The Festival is being organised by BID (Business Improvement District) Leamington, the organisation responsible for marketing and promoting the town.

Leamington Spa has an abundance of quality and diverse food and drink producers and suppliers. The aim of the Festival is to celebrate and showcase the very best that the town can offer and as such will help develop the reputation of Leamington Spa as a top food and drink destination.

The event has already attracted some major High Street names such as Greggs and Starbucks as well as local cafes and delicatessens such as Cafe Saint Jacques, Country Bumpkins and Aubrey Allen. Rangemaster has been announced as the official sponsor.

Over the two days, visitors across all ages can enjoy a range of activities. Highlights will include a Farmers Market, live cookery demonstrations by local Chefs in an open air kitchen, sample tasting, coffee tasting, cocktail shaking, wine tasting with expert advice and the chance to experience a wide selection of Asian, European, Oriental and Organic dishes. An Italian Market will take place in the Regent Court Shopping Centre.

In addition, visitors will be able to enjoy tea served in the Rangemaster Tea Rooms. Live music including Salsa and Jazz will be provided along with entertainment for children. BBC Coventry & Warwickshire will broadcast the Festival live over the two days.

New for 2008 will be the ‘Taste Trail’ where visitors can experience a number of restaurants in the town as indicated on a map provided. Restaurants already participating include ‘The Newbold Brasserie’, ‘Strada’, ‘The Leamington Bar and Grill’ and ‘Nicolinis’. Visitors simply sample their speciality dishes and have their map stamped to show they’ve visited that particular restaurant. Everyone who takes part will be put forward to enter a competition to win dinner for two at the winning restaurant.

Helen Smith, Executive Director of BID Leamington, stated “This is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to showcase their culinary skills and the quality of food & drink they offer to a much wider audience. The Festival is expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the region and looks set to be our most successful Food & Drink Festival to date”.

Anyone interested in showcasing their products at the Festival should contact Helen Smith at BID Leamington by e-mail to helensmith@bidleamington.com. A range of covered stalls will be provided to cater for all sizes and types of business.

Further details about the Festival can be found by visiting foodanddrink2008.co.uk/leamingtonspa.html.