Sweet taste of success in Leamington Spa

The Royal Leamington Spa Food & Drink Festival, which took place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August, has been hailed an outstanding success. Attracting around 12,000 people, the two day Festival even surpassed last year’s visitor numbers.

100 local businesses exhibited their produce from stalls in the Pump Room Gardens. Organised by BID Leamington, the event has now firmly positioned itself as one of the leading food and drink festivals in the region.

The ‘Taste Trail’, featuring 14 different and diverse restaurants, was deemed incredibly popular. The initiative encouraged people to visit restaurants in the town to sample their food for free. Restaurants that participated included Mem Saab, The Clarendon, Sabai Sabai, The Slug and Lettuce, Strada, Bohemia @ The Willoughby, Kokos, Mumbai Bluu, Seasons Restaurant, The Newbold Bar & Brasserie, Ask, Restaurant in the Park, Barr 44 and Tryst. Thousands of people took part with venues reporting record visitor numbers.

Simon Firth, General Manager of the Restaurant in the Park stated “This was the first year we joined the Taste Trail and it’s been a great success. Over 200 people came through our doors on Saturday lunchtime”. Anton Thorpe, Manager of The Newbold Bar and Brasserie stated”We’ve seen a lot more people as a result of the Taste Trail. As we’ve been shut for the last 6 months, it’s been a great way in which to showcase our food”. Phil Moore, Assistant Manager of Tryst stated “The Taste Trail is a great idea to showcase venues, especially at a time when businesses are striving for new customers”.

A number of local restaurants took part in the live cookery demonstrations. Chefs from Sabai Sabai demonstrated the art of cooking pan Asian style food, Laura Hamilton, owner of Queans used produce from the Farmers Market to cook home-made dishes. Starbucks showed visitors how to brew the perfect cup of coffee whilst Holly and the Ivy demonstrated their skills with chutneys, vinegars, oils, preserves and mustards.

Throughout the festival live music was performed by popular local bands Lament, Portia Conn and The Chris Brown Jazz Quintet whilst BBC Coventry & Warwickshire broadcast live from the Festival on the Jeff Harris Sunday morning show.

In addition visitors enjoyed the Warwickshire Farmers Market, cake baking, whisky tasting and competitions. An International Food Market provided visitors with a range of delicious food and drinks such as exotics meats, olives, anchovies, paella, Swedish and Polish ciders, dried and candied fruits, meringues, marzipan and fresh baked macaroons. Top Nosh Tea Rooms supplied visitors with refreshments, sandwiches and cakes.

Exhibitors included a range of High Street and independent names including The Shakespeare Spit Roast Company, Little Miss Cupcakes, Merchants of Warwick, Country Bumpkins, Starbucks Coffee Company, Walnut & Weave, Sarah Edwards Cakes, Green Bean Mobile Coffee Company, Bread & Co, Hidden Eden and Blueberry Hill Patisserie.

Gill Sanders from Coventry stated “We heard about the Festival on the local radio station and had a fantastic time. We bought lots of local produce and visited half a dozen restaurants on the Taste Trail. We were really impressed with the quality of food. We rarely visit Leamington but will certainly be visiting more often to try out other restaurants”.

Helen Smith, Executive Director of BID Leamington, stated “Our second Food & Drink Festival has been an even bigger success than last year. Exhibitors reported significant sales, many trebling their usual weekend turnovers. Yet again the Taste Trail proved to be one of the highlights with thousands of people walking round the town sampling food for free. With live music, entertainment, food sampling and cookery demonstrations, the Festival provided something for all the family and we look forward to planning our 2010 event.”

The next food & drink related promotion in Royal Leamington Spa will be Dine 2009 which will run from 12 – 18 October. 14 restaurants in the town will be offering a special £5 lunch and £10 two course dinner to encourage people to eat out during that week.

Further information on the festival can be found by visiting leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk.