Yet again Thame Food Festival proved a real destination this weekend for foodies, families and music lovers. There was a myriad of tantalising artisan and street food producers, demonstrations galore, celebrity chefs and bakers, plus live music which culminated on the Sunday with a performance by United Vibe featuring local Elliot Horne - fresh from their X Factor experience.
About 18k people flocked to enjoy the event - despite the weather! Mary Berry shone with an interview in the packed main marquee followed by a book signing, before taking some time to visit many of the stalls. In fact Mary Berry said as part of her interview;
“It’s an amazing show (and I go to lots of shows), and I can honestly say that there’s more here than I have ever seen at an outdoor food festival. So enjoy everybody!”
Its true there really was so much to see and do; including over 130 artisan food and hot street food producers, delicious samplings, BBQ demonstration, pop-up pub and live music. There was also the Humble Country marquee filled to the brim with kitchenalia and home delights to buy. Not to forget the celebration of the 2019 Thame Food Festival Bursary for Local Artisan Producers which this year was awarded to Ozi Madden for his Amba Sauce.
Through-out the two days the headline sponsor - Magimix UK - showcased demonstrations on their dedicated stage including many of the country’s leading chefs and bakers such as Alex Hollywood, Jane Devonshire and Ping Coombes (both former winners of Masterchef) alongside Val Stones, Steven Carter Bailey and Briony May (previous contestants of Great British Bake Off) to name just a few. Adding to the ambience and festival vibe was the live music stage by The First Thursday Music Club and Thame Town Music Club, with a broad programme of artists, including United Vibe.
Fun cookery workshops run by Fun Kitchen and sponsored by the Coop were on through-out the weekend, where children could make Oodles of Noodles or Apple and Cinnamon Swirls. There were also other activities for the kids by the Coop, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre and Thomley. And again, the foodie mix extended to our four legged friends with specialist dog treat stalls, demonstrations and fun Dog Shows by locally based, national charity the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.
Lotte Duncan, Patron and organiser of the event says, “I am still reeling from the weekend! It was fantastic to see so many people enjoying all the wonderful artisan producers and street food vendors. As members of British Food Fortnight and falling on the middle weekend of that celebration we are so keen to showcase the diversity of wonderful foods that are produced in Britain.”
She continues; “Events of this scale require so much work, from so many people, but it is so great when you see it all come together and you see people really enjoying and appreciating quality food. But no rest for us as we’re already planning for next year which will be on 26th and 27th September 2020, again at the Thame Showground – looking forward to seeing everyone there!”
