Ten years strong AND bigger and better every time!
10th April 2011
Categories: News
Chester Food, Drink & Lifestyle Festival has captured the hearts of many foodies in and around Chester for nearly 10 years, and with its anniversary being celebrated this Easter (22-25 April 2011), the festival is expanding in every way possible to make it the largest and best food and drink festival the region has ever seen
Over 150 food and drink producers from around the North West will be in attendance during the three day festival, held at Chester Racecourse. Selling everything from chocolate beer, local venison, fine wines and delicious Cheshire fudge; festival goers will be treated to an abundance of food and drink that will leave their mouths watering.
The festival’s hugely popular celebrity chefs return this year to cook in an even larger demonstration area to accommodate the hundreds of foodie fans that turn out to see the likes of Simon Rimmer, Michael Caines, Andrew Nutter and many more top regional chefs.
Chef de Patron, Simon Rimmer, said: “Chester Food, Drink & Lifestyle Festival is my favourite of all the food festivals I demonstrate at. The diversity and quality of food is second to none and I always use as much as I can in my recipes that I cook at the festival. We are fortunate to have some of the UK’s best producers in our region and if you love food and drink I urge you to go along support our producers and have a wonderful time sampling all that is on offer at the festival.”
Last year, the festival ran it’s first ever BeerFest, it was so successful, that this year even more real ale and lager breweries have been invited to squeeze their way into Chester Racecourse. There will also be an additional wine ‘taste and buy’ section, showcasing different wine merchants for those who prefer grape to grain.
CamperFest returns for the 10th anniversary too, and for those who like to camp or enjoy caravanning, then all are welcome at this year’s festival. Campers can enjoy a kids Easter Egg hunt, ‘Cooking in a Camper’ competition and live music in the new Camperfest Village. There is enough space for over 500 campervans and caravans and additional tents.
With a strong family focus, the festival has arranged plenty of fun for the kids. The 2011 festival will see the return of The Academy of Culinary Arts workshops where children learn the importance of healthy eating by getting messy with food. Each child will be given a chefs hat to wear as they work their magic in the kitchens and take home the food that they have cooked.
This year the best attractions in the region, including Chester Zoo, Blue Planet Aquarium and Gulliver’s World, will be joining forces to offer children interactive and educational workshops, adding a very special extra to this exciting family package.
Children can learn about plant and animal life in the Blue Planet rock pools and see ‘mini beasts’ close up such as bugs and spiders with Chester Zoo. Children will also be able to pick up money-off vouchers to spend when the visit the attractions themselves.
Festival Organiser Stephen Wundke said: “Marking our 10th anniversary is a testament to the wonderful support we have been shown for this festival over the last decade. Having grown from a few restaurant led events that took place in the City of Chester, to a destination food event at Chester Racecourse, Chester Food, Drink & Lifestyle has grown into a national food event that was enjoyed by over 20,000 people last Easter.”
“This year, we aim to celebrate the festival’s anniversary with even more food and drink attractions, more chefs and additional camping for those who like to enjoy the full weekend in Chester. I am hugely proud of what this festival has become and means to the people who visit it and I hope as many people as possible can join us in celebrating what has been a wonderful 10 years.”
A first for 2011, there will be a local restaurant ‘try and buy’ area where festival goers can sample dishes from over 40 different regional restaurants, a ‘twice the size’ homes and gardens section, competitions and events throughout the city as well as the annual cheese rolling event on Shrove Tuesday.
For further information and bookings visit: www.chesterfoodanddrink.co.uk
Ticket prices are: Adults £7, Concessions £5 and under 12’s go FREE
Featured in Live Cheshire Magazine
