A marquee packed full of leading producers from across Lancashire will be flying the flag for the best food and drink from the county at The National Festival of Making in Blackburn on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th May, from 11am – 5.30pm.
Head with your shopping basket to the Taste Lancashire food and drink marquee, located in the Festival Hub in King William Street, to meet the producers and stock up on a range of delicious Lancashire-made treats and kitchen essentials for that authentic taste of Lancashire at home. Curated by Marketing Lancashire, the Taste Lancashire food and drink marquee is part of the organisation’s Taste Lancashire campaign to make Lancashire a must-visit food destination and to further boost the county’s 67 million annual visitors.
Visitors will be able to buy Lancashire cheeses from Leagram Organic Dairy, award-winning chocolates from Choc Amor and sweet treats from Jeni’s Cupcakes as well as craft beers from Northern Whisper Brewing Company and ales from Bowland Brewery, gin from Batch Brew, botanical juices and syrups made from hibiscus flowers by Calyx Drinks and vintage cordials from Mr Fitzpatrick’s.
Clare and John Wignall, the newlyweds behind Wignall’s Yallo Rapeseed Oil, will also be there. The couple have transformed an almost 600-acre farm that was in desperate need of attention and now grow rapeseed to produce their stunning range of plain and infused oils. They will be joined by other dedicated producers including Paul Williams, the mastermind behind Choc Amor, whose products have been recognised by the World Chocolate Awards, Great Taste and Food Awards England.
TOTI, a boutique deli located at Top 50 gastropub The Cartford Inn, The Nowt Poncy Food Company and The Wilde Bakery will be showcasing tempting treats at this unique festival, which attracted 30,000 people in its inaugural year in 2017. Holmes Mill will also be in attendance with a mini version of what is on offer at their famous Bowland Food Hall.
The Taste Lancashire marquee will be enticing foodies with a live food and drink theatre with expert tips, advice and tastings including from award-winning Cartford Inn chef Chris Bury and Raphael Ogunrinde, owner of the fast-growing Calyx Drinks in Burnley. Top of the Shop star Angelika Searle, who runs Pretzel & Spelt, will also be swinging pretzels and entertaining festival go-ers with tales of her time on the BBC show with chef Tom Kerridge and her plans to open her own shop in Bolton. These events will take place at 12noon, 2pm and 3pm each day and will include special tastings for some very lucky people – places are limited and on a first-come first-served basis. There will also be an opportunity for visitors to win a superb bag of goodies supplied by the producers at the event.
The Taste Lancashire food and drink marquee is part of the Visit Lancashire campaign to raise the profile of the county as a must-visit food destination; championing locally made produce, the people who make it and the wonderful array of place it can be enjoyed.
Anna Izza, Head of PR and Communications for Marketing Lancashire, said: “Taste Lancashire champions locally made produce, the people who make it and the wonderful array of places it can be enjoyed. From incredible producers, delightful delis and fabulous farm shops, to some of the county’s most celebrated gastro pubs and restaurants, we believe Lancashire is England’s tastiest county.
“We’re proud to be presenting our collection of producers and retailers in this year’s National Festival of Making and look forward to seeing visitors leaving the Taste marquee with bags full of delicious homemade, home-grown and locally brewed purchases. Some of the best produce in the world is made here in Lancashire and for that to continue we must support our local producers, retailers, pubs and restaurants throughout the year – come along and get a real taste of Lancashire.”
The National Festival of Making provides a one-stop shop for the best in one-off fashion, jewellery, art, textiles and now some of the most renowned food and drink makers from across Lancashire.
