Just across the County border, Derbyshire Food & Drink Fair will take place at Elvaston Castle Country Park on 18-19 May.
The entry fee is a very reasonable £5 for adults, concessions £4 and children under 16 enter for free.
For further details see: www.derbyshirefoodfestival.co.uk
The 2013 Artisan Cheese Fair will take place at the Melton Cattle Market Exhibition Halls on the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend, Saturday and Sunday 4th and 5th May.
It will cost £1 and is open from 10am to 4pm.
The fair will have free tastings, talks and demonstrations, along with stands selling a variety of foods.
The fair will see the relaunch of one of this region’s oldest cheeses, Colwick Cream Cheese. Originally made in Nottingham, production ceased in 1995 but has been revived by Crossroads Farm Eastwell on the suggestion of local food historian Matthew O'Callaghan.
For further details see www.artisancheesefair.co.uk
There's a fantastic new Food & Drink Festival happening this year on Saturday 25th May, from 10.30 to 4.00pm, on the Bath Grounds Ashby de la Zouch.
Organised by Food Gusto, people will be able to Nibble, Bite, Eat, Chew and Taste their way around the Region's Best Food & Drink.
Festival organisers, Kate and Wesley say:
Packed with stands from local and regional producers it really will be a great day out for all the family.
With a juicy hog roast, organic burgers and even venison meat it’s sure to satisfy your hunger.
Local producers will be selling handmade Leicestershire cheese, creamy ice cream, breads, exotic mushrooms, cured meats, pickles, lamb burgers and more.
If that isn't enough you can quench your thirst with locally brewed beer, wine, cider or even a hot chocolate, smooth espresso or cappuccino.
It is also planned to have demonstrations and there will be ample opportunities to sample the products.
Finally there is a great line up of music organized by Studio 46 from Appleby Magna.
So if you love great food & drink we hope to see you there. Â If you are a local food producer, shop, restaurant or any business passionate about food and want to exhibit/get involved Food Gusto would love to hear from you.
Blaby Farmers' Market is on the move!
From Saturday 27 April the market will move to a new location on a section of Enderby Road car park. It is hoped that the move, initially on a trial basis, will make the market more accessible and attract more shoppers into the town centre.
The market takes place between 9am and 1pm.
One of the quirkiest festivals in the local calender starts on St George's Day, 23rd April 2013.
The British Asparagus Festival takes place in the Vale of Evesham until 21st June.
For events see:
www.britishasparagusfestival.org
Leicester's Summer Food & Drink Festival 2013 takes place on 26th May at Leicester Market.
Free to attend, the Summer Food & Drink Festival will run between 11:00am and 5:00pm.
Leicester Market say:
It is expected over 200 local producers, market traders and restaurant chefs will be descending on Leicester’s outdoor market for culinary cook-offs and sizzling food stalls next month.
In addition, there will be live entertainment and face painting for children.
Leicestershire will host the first BBQ competition in this country to be sanctioned by the prestigious 'Kansas City Barbeque Society - the world's largest organisation of BBQ and grilling enthusiasts'.
The competition, 'Q on the Canal', will be held on 25th - 26th May 2013 at The Globe Inn, Snarestone, Leicestershire, DE12 7DB. The Globe has a pleasant canal-side setting on the Ashby Canal, which should make for a great weekend.
For those not familiar with the US style of BBQ, there's a description on our Smoking and BBQ Options page.
Further details can be found at the UK BBQ Association website.
I've just found out that the Local Food Heroes blog was named as a 'Local Food Hero' in last Saturday's Leicester Mercury 'More' Magazine.
This blog featured in the 'Food Writers and Bloggers' section alongside The Mercury's own food reporter Joan Stephens; Tim Burke, the former restaurant critic who runs 'Eyes on The Prize', a blog about places to eat and drink; Hazel Paterson of the 'It's not F****** Rocket Science' blog, with it's superb photography and recipes; and Matt Wright, editor of 'Great Food', a magazine celebrating everything 'foodie' in the Midlands area.
I'm honoured to be featured in such good company.
Links to the blogs mentioned:
Leicester & Leicestershire Food Fortnight is well under way with loads of events taking place over the next two weeks culminating in the The East Midlands Food & Drink Festival on the 6/7th October at the Cattle Market in Melton Mowbray.
A list and map of events, which vary from Brewery Tours to Pork Pie Masterclasses and includes the Coalville Food and Drink Festival, can be found at the goleicestershire.com website.
It's great to see such a large number and variety of events with things for all ages to take part in.
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