Visitors to Thame Town Centre on Saturday 30 September were in for a treat as they were invited to take part in all the fun of the Thame Food Trail, sampling food delicacies, drinks, and special offers put on for the day by town centre retailers. Eighteen food and kitchen shops, cafes and pubs took part in the Trail, a new event organised by 21st Century Thame and sponsored by A Bell & Co, Steamer Trading Cook Shop, Rumsey’s Chocolaterie, and the James Figg. 21st Century Thame produced a leaflet, handed out on the day by volunteers, with a map to guide people around the venues.
Places to visit on the Trail included Rumsey’s Chocolaterie, where you could watch chocolate-making demonstrations and sample chocolate, the Deli at No 5, where you could sample British cheeses, AGA Thame, who demonstrated scrumptious food cooked in AGA cookers, Umberto’s, where you could try delicious olives and Italian charcuterie, the Cross Keys, where you could sample artisan beers, Jack & Alice, where you could try red and white wines accompanied by cheese fondue, the Birdcage, where you could take part in connoisseur gin-tasting, What’s Cooking, where you could indulge in a Food Trail wild mushroom ragout, Treacles Tea Rooms, where you could have a second hot drink free, and the Spread Eagle, who were offering half price prosecco with two main courses. There were also displays of cookery books at the Book House and the Oxfam Bookshop, and live piano renditions of Elvis Presley numbers at the Coffee House.
The party atmosphere was enhanced by the Swervy World Band, entertaining everyone with music played on banjo, sousaphone, saxophone, percussion, plus vocals, right through the day.
Everyone taking part thought the Food Trail was a brilliant addition to town centre activities and had excellent feedback from the public. Stephen Catherall of Steamer Trading Cook Shop said, ‘We were really busy and thought the event in town perfectly complemented the Food Festival on the Showground, with the shuttle bus taking people between the two places’. Cornfield Bakery also thought it was a great day, and their sourdough breads were eagerly devoured. Dian Parker of A Bell & Co said, ‘It was a great idea, and we were delighted to have a visit from Linda Emery, Deputy Mayor, who enjoyed our tasty fruited tea bread baked in Miele ovens’.
Helen Johns of 21st Century Thame said, ‘We have a fantastic variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs and kitchen shops in Thame, and it was a pleasure to put together an event that showcased the fine food, wines, beers, and kitchen accessories they offer. We are very grateful for the support of our sponsors. The positive feedback suggests our Food Trail event will definitely not be the last!
