Enjoy a feast of food in The Lakes this fall
Food lovers fancying some time away in The Lakes, and a foray into the world of artisan and local produce, should head to the ancient market town of Kendal, in Cumbria during October half term, when it will host its second Kendal Festival of Food (October 22-29).
The inaugural Kendal Festival of Food in 2009 was a huge success, but this year’s event is expected to be bigger and better, with even more food producers, farmers, restaurants, cafés and food suppliers taking part over the eight days.
Participating businesses are currently (July 2010) formulating their plans for the October 2010 event and promising to work to a fabulous and flavoursome formula.
This food-focused festival takes place at locations across Kendal and its surrounding area, with some open-air events staged in the market square. Participating businesses each decide how they wish to dynamically promote their food, drink or dishes. Last year, the activities ranged from hands-on sausage making sessions to fascinating talks and demonstrations and from price offers to children’s kitchen capers.
Food sampling is the essence of Kendal Festival of Food and with fantastic tasting local fish, game, organic vegetables, home-reared meat and artisan cheeses on offer, the public find it hard to resist a culinary voyage through different taste sensations.
This is the opportunity for those who have never tasted Herdwick lamb, or sipped damson gin, to treat themselves to new food and drink experiences. The area is known for delicacies such as gingerbread and Cumberland sausage, but also home to award-winning cheeses and the world famous Kendal Mint Cake!
Kendal is the gateway to the Lake District, with Windermere and Bowness just a short drive away. The ancient town is distinctive thanks to its yards – ancient alleyways in which a wide variety of tradesmen and craftspeople would once have worked. These yards today house some heavenly food establishments, including the Staff of Life bakery and restaurant Baba Ganoush.
The town is celebrating the recent opening of a new K Village Shopping Outlet, full of designer brands at bargain prices, and is home to award-winning attraction, The Quaker Tapestry, to the much praised Abbot Hall Art Gallery (showing The Loneliness of Lowry’ exhibition to October 30) and to Kendal Museum.
A wide variety of accommodation options can be found in and around Kendal and some can opt to stay with Kendal Festival of Food participating businesses, including the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal and Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel in Bowness-on-Windermere.
Anyone wanting some hands-on cookery can book for a themed cookery course at LucyCooks, in Staveley, on the outskirts of Kendal. During the Festival, the courses available include: Fish – Stuff, Poach, Fillet & Fry; Champagne & Cupcake Decorating and Tapas, Mezze & More!
Food lovers who don’t wish to miss out are urged to book their accommodation early and keep checking the Festival website at kendalfestivaloffood.co.uk for any events they might wish to book, although many require no booking and are free-of-charge.
For more information on accommodation visit southlakeland.gov.uk/tourism.
