Get your taste buds ready – the popular Bridport Food Festival takes place again this summer on Saturday 27th June.  Now in its 6th year this years’ event sees over 30 local producers from across the region joining forces to create a host of deliciously fun events for the whole family to enjoy.


Taking place in Bridport’s picturesque Asker Meadows the event will be filled with the delicious offerings of local producers.  What’s more, festival-goers can take their pick from over 20 local beers and 10 ciders from the Beer & Cider Festival which is running alongside the Food Festival.  Mark Hix will be introducing Bridport to his new beer – Hix Oyster Ale on the evening of Friday 26th and as well as Mark,  on Saturday there will be cookery demonstrations from BBC Masterchef winner Mat Folas, writer Tamasin Day-Lewis and Indian Food Expert Helen Choudray


Celebrating Food for Life, the theme of this year’s festival – Bridport Allotment Society will be on hand to offer green fingered advice on growing vegetables in pots (for those of us who don’t have a garden to dig) and children’s entertainments will include Fruit and Vegetable Yoga with a professional instructor for the under 12s.

On the evening of the 22nd, local sushi maestro Shige Makezoe will hold a one-off workshop in his own kitchen at Hell Barn where a small group can get some real hands-on experience in this creative skill.  Participants can learn how to prepare fresh, authentic sushi and discover its delicate flavours.  Further Japanese Restaurant experiences are planned at Marsh Barn on the 25th June: a menu for primary school children to taste the colours and varieties of Japanese food, and a further menu for adults on the same day.    There are just eight places offered for the 22nd June event, at £40 per head.  Menus on the 25th June are £10 for children and £20 for adults and each group will have no more than 35 people.

On the 23rd June, Helen Choudray will be demonstrating how to Create Delicious Dishes from Colourful Spices – from 6:30 - 9:00pm. Up to eight people can join this authentic Indian cooking experience, which includes supper afterwards as well.

Then on Wednesday 24th June the Bridport Community Orchard welcomes visitors to their Be Kind to the Bees event where visitors can learn about wildlife gardening to attract and support the precious honey-bee.   Visitors can take part in activities including honey tasting and creating bee mobiles and even visit a Virtual Beehive. http://bridportcommunityorchard.wordpress.com/


Plus, everyone can enjoy the best of Bridport with a spectacular teatime extravaganza - the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with Leakers Bakery at the Bull Hotel. Visitors can experience Wonderland complete with Cheshire Cat, magicians and treats galore in the glorious Bull Hotel ballroom from 4pm on Thursday 25th June.  Tickets are limited and available directly from Leakers Bakery on 01308 423296.  Youngsters are encouraged to make and wear their own Mad Hats for a special prize.


www.bridportfoodfestival.org.uk