[Back to Latest News - 2008 ]
[Archive : 2006 Festival Launch ]
[Archive : 2007 Festival Launch ]
[Archive : 2007 Festival Awards Launch ]

ARCHIVE : BIG YEAR AHEAD FOR DERBYSHIRE FOOD AND DRINK 2008
A host of popular events to promote Derbyshire’s finest food and drink are back on the menu for 2008 promising to put the county firmly on the culinary map.
Derbyshire County Council is dedicated to promoting the local food and drink industry as it not only supports local businesses and jobs but also attracts thousands of tourists to the area each year. The county council will again be running its three popular food and drink events and is urging businesses and producers to sign up and boost the profiles of their top quality products, shops or eateries.

The first event on the food and drink calendar is the prestigious Derbyshire Food Fair held at Bolsover Castle, which this year takes place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May. More than 12,500 people flocked to the fair last year to sample food and drink from producers across the county and visit the array of stalls and attractions, which included crafts@thecastle. Buffalo burgers, honey, homemade wines, cheese and chutney were just some of the wares on offer to tempt the hungry crowds over the weekend. Now in its seventh year, the fair looks like being just as popular and more than 100 stalls will be on the site over the weekend.

Crowds will also be treated to demonstrations and be able to pick up tips and advice from celebrity chef James Tanner, who is back by popular demand. Businesses, from producers to restaurant owners, are being urged to sign up for a stall at the fair now to secure a place. They will also get an excellent chance to give their businesses a boost by signing up for this year’s county council-run Derbyshire Food Festival, which will be launched at the food fair on Saturday 17 May and endorsed by celebrity chef Brian Turner.

The week-long festival runs until Monday 26 May, which is a Bank Holiday, and gives Derbyshire residents and tourists alike the chance to visit a range of establishments holding food and drink-related festival events which they might not otherwise go to.

Last year establishments ranging from hotels, pubs and restaurants to farms, cafes and shops put on festival events which included taste-testing sessions, cookery demonstrations, tours, Derbyshire-sourced menus, competitions and talks.

All venues taking part in the festival receive advertising for their business in a colour brochure, which details their business and the event they are holding. The year culminates in the prestigious county council-run Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards which are held every autumn. Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Geoff Carlile said: “There is a wealth of talent and variety when it comes to food and drink in Derbyshire and the county council is proud to be staging these events which boost local businesses and the economy as well as promoting tourism.“We feel Derbyshire is now firmly on the culinary map and I’m sure the food and drink fair and festival will prove just as popular as ever.” He added: “We are urging businesses to get involved in the events, sign up and promote their top quality establishments and produce.”

People interested in having a stall at the fair or hosting an event for the festival should contact Derbyshire County Council international/tourism officer Steph Walsh on 01629 585964 for more details.

Media enquiries only to Mandy Cann on 01629 585032 or e-mail mandy.cann@derbyshire.gov.uk

More of the latest news about the Derbyshire Food and Drink Festival 2008 coming soon! Please check back regularly for updates. In the meantime, why not read about some of our previous festivals by clicking on the links above, and the PDF advert below (requires Adobe PDF Reader):

Derbyshire Food Festival 2008 Advert