Food and festivals: UK dates for foodie folk

26 June - 4 July

Pembrokeshire Fish Week, Pembrokeshire

Events include gourmet seafood evenings, fresh mackerel BBQs and the chance to cook your own catch.

July 2010

 1 - 5 July

The Isle of Man Queenie Festival, Isle of Man

Annual event to celebrate the Island's Queen scallops, or Queenies.

1-31 July

Hampshire Food Festival, Hampshire

This is the tenth anniversary of the event which includes celebrity food writer events, talks, workshops and picnics.

2-4 July

The Bristol Wine & Food Fair

Hundreds of wines from all over the world on test, plus cookery demos.

9-11 July

The Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery, St Catherine's College, Oxford.

The theme of the 2010 symposium is ‘Smoked, Cured and Fermented Foods'. The event brings together writers, historians, sociologists, anthropologists, scientists and chefs.

10-11 July

Dorset Seafood Festival, Weymouth, Dorset

Many demonstrations involving crab, lobster, scallops, mussels, oysters, mackerel, cod, gurnard and many other Dorset caught species.

15-18 July

Taste of Birmingham, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham

Try signature dishes from the region's top chefs, wine from its most discerning vintners and buy something yummy from the many exhibitors.

18-26 July (provisional date)

Annual Whitstable Oyster Fair, Whitstable

This is a vibrant celebration of Whitstable's history, heritage and traditions. Highlights include the ‘landing of the oyster ceremony' and oyster parade.

July (date tbc)

Nantwich International Cheese Show, Nantwich

The date has yet to be confirmed but the show has been running for more than 100 years and is the biggest cheese show in the world. Watch this space:

July (dates tbc)

Pontefract Liquorice Festival, Pontefract Town Centre, Yorkshire

This is the liquorice capital of England - lots of liquorice sampling is guaranteed plus arts and heritage festivities for all the family.

August 2010

1-31 August

The Pershore Plum Festival, Pershore, Worcestershire

This plum-obsessed festival takes place throughout the entire month, culminating with a grand finale on August Bank Holiday.

3 August

The Egton Bridge Gooseberry Show, Yorkshire

Established in 1800 - growers compete for the honour of growing the heaviest gooseberry. Open to the public from 2pm.

3-7 August

The Great British Beer Festival, Earls Court, London

Britain's biggest beer festival with over 500 beers, ciders, perries and international beers.

13-15 August

Foodies at the Festival, Edinburgh

Getting in on the act, this is a chance for food lovers to combine fringe and festival fun with top notch grub. Call: 0871 230 5573 for tickets

14-15 August

The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival, Isle of Wight

The island's garlic is at the heart of this event - flavouring everything from prawns to coffee and ice cream. Contact: info@garlic-festival.co.uk. Tel: 05602 786785

14-15 August

The Lakes Chilli Fest, Levens hall, The Lake District

This is one hot event - with more stalls than ever featuring chilli-related items ranging from breads to chocolate.

September 2010

Date tbc

Brick Lane Curry Festival, Brick Lane, London

Festive food and entertainment in one of London's curry hotspots

5-7 September

Speciality & Fine Food Fair, London, Olympia

This is the tenth anniversary of this annual festival event enabling independent retailers, hoteliers and wholesales to meet the UK's finest food and drink suppliers. Entrance is £20, open to trade only. Call: 020 7385 1200 for details.

11-12 September

Tavistock Autumn Food Festival, Morwellham Quay, Devon

Festival championing the finest food and drink produce of the region.

For details: Tel 01822 613016 or email jstackhous@aol.com

Harvest at Jimmy's, Jimmy Doherty’s farm, near Ipswich

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Canteen, The Hairy Bikers, Mark Hix and Thomasina Miers' Wahaca have all signed up to serve some culinary delights to festival goers. For more info go to www.harvestatjimmys.com
 

17-26 September

York Food and Drink Festival

This does what it says in the title - it's a celebration of culinary Yorkshire set in and around the city's fine historic venues. Tickets and Information: 01904 466687.

18 September-3 October

EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival
 
The EDP Bidwells Norfolk Food Festival 2010 will reflect the best of Norfolk produce from the land and the sea. Full details at www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk 
 

25-26 September

Mold Food and Drink Festival, Mold, North Wales

Family fun and a chance to bite into some tasty Welsh delicacies.

October 2010

Date tbc

The Mendip Food and Drink Festival, Mendip District

The next Mendip Food and Drink Festival promises more events and participants than ever before.

Date tbc

Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan

A weekend of food and fun in the bustling market town of Cowbridge

Tel: 07875 290428

1-31 October

Celebration of Food, South-West

The UK's largest food festival - from St Ives to Bristol there will be hundreds of fantastic foodie events, money-saving menu offers, and celebrity chef masterclasses.

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