Brighton Foodies Festival 2017

The foodies festival is now in its eleventh year and it has come on far from its inaugural event in Edinburgh in 2006. Highly popular, it sees foodies flock to its many events up and down the country to enjoy the fine wines, food and delicacies on offer, as well as learn the tricks and tips of the trade.

We booked in for the VIP area, a little more pricy than the normal ticket (£35 rather than £18) but if you like the idea of going all out and being treated that bit more special, it’s definitely worth it. Included in the price is entry to the festival, a glass of bubbly on arrival, use of the VIP area and private bar, priority entry to masterclasses, a show guide and goodie bag to take home. The area is right at the start of the festival and decked out prettily with flowers, chairs and tables. You have a great view of the music stage and are ideally situated to attend the talks in the dessert tent which is just across the other side.

Our festival commenced with a talk from Matt Tilling, the ‘Winner of GBBO Creme de la Creme.’ He ran us through his recipe for Mirror Glaze Cakes, offering tips and advice along the way. Suffice to say we were suitably hungry by the time he finished and ready to explore the stalls and stands.

The foodies festival offers such a diverse range of food and drink, you’re guaranteed to leave about five stone heavier than when you arrived. Tantalising scents drift from every which way and no matter the food you’re fancying, you will find it. They have your regular festival delights such as gourmet hot dogs, burgers and fries, but also fresh calamari, duck pancakes, curried goat, boar burgers and even kangaroo. It’s a chance to taste things you wouldn’t normally venture to and discover the real foodie talent our city has to offer.

If you have a little more of a sweet tooth, there are treats galore. Fudge stalls stock everything from Baileys to Strawberry cheesecake flavour and cake stands are piled high with cream-filled, sprinkled top delights. One of our highlights were the new bubblewrap waffles from Waffle Island (if you’ve never tried a bubble waffle it needs to be next on your list)!

As you walk around there are plenty of stalls offering free samples of wines, dips, sauces and treats and it’s so nice to be able to try something before you commit to buying it. Mary Berry’s tent was particularly popular (though unfortunately the lady herself wasn’t at the festival!) This honey and balsamic vinaigrette was delicious and would make a delicious salad dressing!

The other main tent offered tasting sessions – there was prosecco and cheese tasting, ale tasting and many more. All the talks and sessions are completely free, though you do have to register beforehand to reserve your space. These talks are, again, taken by industry experts and guide you through the tasting session, allowing you to try and sample different beverages as you go along.

The foodies festival offers all you could want for a day out. You can up your street cred in their chilli eating competition, you can relax with friends on a squishy bean bag and enjoy a jug of prosecco, you can learn from the industry experts, try new food you’ve never heard of and indulge in your all-time favourite dishes. It is a festival that celebrates everything about the food industry and brings you back from the rush which food preparation can be nowadays – rushed supermarket runs and throwing things in a pan – and reminds you of all the wonders of eating. Be sure to head down yourself, you won’t regret it.