Kendal Festival of Food flirts with foodies
Make a beeline for the Kendal Festival of Food, in the ancient market town of Kendal, this October and grab yourself a real taste of the South Lakes.
From October 22-29, your tastebuds can be tormented by the myriad of delicious products around, produced by dedicated local producers and food heroes.
Offers and special meal deals back extensive sampling opportunities and chances to watch experts in action during exciting food demonstrations. Many events take place at the premises of the producers, or in hotels, cafes, restaurants, breweries, so you can pick and mix your activities as you wish.
Your children can learn how to make pizzas, you can watch and understand how to produce artisan bread and the fella can head off for a brewery tour, thanks to a menu of events that offers something for everyone.
If not tucking in to a two-for-one meal, a specially priced culinary extravaganza, or a discounted food purchase, you should make time for two public events.
On October 26, 'A Journey From Field To Fork', staged in Kendal Market Place, will feature two local food heroes, including Lucy's of Ambleside, who will be demonstrating their culinary skills and inviting taste sampling.
It will also involve a wide variety of producers, from exquisite gluten-free cake producer, Purely Delicious, to the Cumberland and Westmorland Sausage Company and many more.
On October 28, you could potentially witness the greatest number of amateur-baked items under one roof, if you head to K Village, Kendal, where 'The Great Bake Off' is taking place. Local cooks are being asked to bring in their cakes, biscuits, pies, biscuits and savouries, so that professional judges can give their opinion, in what is an X Factor audition for baked food items!
Three categories exist - bread, cakes and A Minty Treat. The first two are split into under 18s and over 18s, with a prize for both age groups. The Minty Treat category invites cooks to create a recipe for a baked item that includes famous Quiggins Mint Cake.
Other things-to-do in Kendal include visiting the award-winning Quaker Tapestry, Kendal Museum, Abbot Hall Art Gallery, the Brewery Arts Centre or the Museum of Lakeland Life, or heading to beautiful Bowness or Ambleside to cruise and enjoy views. Other attractions are just a short hop away.
Now is the time to plan your trip, if you wish to visit this foodie-focused festival and stay over. All events and offers can be viewed online at kendalfestivaloffood.co.uk and accommodation can be sourced at southlakeland.gov.uk/tourism.