FOOD-STUFF
Love food stuff? Us too! Check out our pick of some of the best food and drink events taking place this May. From beer and cider festivals to tasty days out to savour and salivate over – grab your favourite foodies and find yourselves something scrumptious to tuck into.
Surbiton Food Festival 2019 / May 4 – 19
Already a SW London foodie Mecca, Surbiton unfurls the bunting this month for a two-week celebration of place, produce and people. With three showcase events – the Seething Sardine Festival, the Surbiton Village Fete, and the Seething Community Sports Day and Picnic – the town will draw thousands for a special fortnight of food, drink, events, and celebrations. Truly a home grown festival thanks to support from local residents and businesses, the Surbiton Food Festival has something for every appetite.
For more information visitwww.surbitonfoodfestival.org
Hamilton’s Pop Up Restaurant at The Vineking / May 9 / The Vineking, East Molesey
Wine evangelists The Vineking are veterans of hosting unique pop-up restaurant nights in their fabulous wine shops, and this one promises to be very special indeed. Chef Carter Williamson will be cooking up a 4-course meal using the best seasonal ingredients, which will be matched with a 5-wine tasting flight. Spaces are limited and tickets are £85 per person, but dining at the Vineking is a fun gourmet experience that local foodies shouldn’t miss.
For more information www.thevineking.com
Red Wines of the World / May 10 / Sir Christopher Wren Hotel Windsor
Love red wine but don’t know your Pinot from your Bordeaux? Then this 2-hour introduction to some of the best red wine styles in the world is perfect for you. You’ll taste your way through some of the best examples of the huge variety of red wines available – from light and fruity Pinot Noir, to a traditional smoky Rioja, all the way to the vinous beast that is Argentinean Malbec! Learn how to get the most out of your bottle of wine, the art of decanting, the best temperature to serve wine at and more.
For more information visitwww.thamesvalleywineschool.com
Sourdough Workshop with Bake with Jack / May 12 / The Mayford Centre, Woking
Among loaves, sourdough stands out as one of the most delicious and storied breads in the world. A centuries old method employing the natural fermentation of flour, water and the wild yeasts that occur naturally in our environment, every sourdough starter is unique. Join Surrey’s baking champion Jack Sturgess -fresh from his appearance on C4’s Sunday Brunch- for a workshop that explores the magic of sourdough and how to make it from scratch at home. The course includes refreshments, lunch with glass of wine, fresh bread and sourdough pizza and all breads and recipes to take home as well as a pot of Jack’s own starter.
For further information visit www.bakewithjack.co.uk
Kingston Beer and Cider Festival / May 16 – 18 / Kingston Workmen’s Club and Institute
It’s back! A three-day Kingston quaff-a-thon of superb craft beer and cider. There will be sixty beers and twelve ciders on offer, many from local breweries. There’ll be seating available, with two outdoor areas and hot and cold food on sale. This is the 10th beer festival at this location, situated behind the ‘falling down’ telephone boxes and four minutes’ walk from Kingston railway and bus stations. Tickets include a commemorative pint glass, a free programme and a £1 discount for card-carrying CAMRA members on Thursday and Friday.
For more information visit www.surrey.camra.org.uk
Gin Tasting / May 17 / Sir Christopher Wren Hotel Windsor
Gin’s popularity shows no signs abating, with new micro-distilleries seemingly popping up all over the place. Never more welcome than in the summer months, the refreshing spirit can be imagined a hundred ways. For the real skinny on gin, why not attend this fascinating two-hour tasting. You’ll take a look (and a sniff) at a range of botanicals, then sniff and taste six different Gins alongside a variety of flavourful tonic waters. This tasting is great for gin lovers and anyone who wants to find out more about gin and how it is made.
For more information visit www.thamesvalleywineschool.com
Beacon Hill Beer Festival 2019 / May 17 – 18 / Hindhead Royal British Legion
A little gem among Surrey’s beerfests and one of the longest running in the county, the 17th annual Beacon Hill Beer festival just keeps getting better. Supporting the Poppy Appeal and MacMillan Cancer Support, the festival plays over Friday evening, and Saturday from 12pm, and features dozens of carefully selected craft beers and ales from local heroes and many from further afield. There’ll be great food available and stellar live bands. The £7.50 entry covers the duration of the festival, and includes a souvenir glass.
For more information visitwww.bhbf.co.uk
Pub in the Park with Tom Kerridge / May 17 – 19 / Higginson Park, Marlow
A banquet for foodies and music lovers, Pub in the Park returns to its original home to bring a glorious three-day feast with the very best food the country has to offer. Celebrated chef Tom Kerridge is bringing a stellar line up of world-class chefs, Michelin-starred pubs, great food and live music splayed out across the beautiful Higginson Park; basically the ultimate pub garden! Expect pop-up pubs and restaurants, fantastic demos and a line-up that includes the likes of Jake Bugg, Kaiser Chiefs, Gabrielle, David Gray, Texas, All Saints and many more.
For more information visit www.pubintheparkuk.com
Wine Tasting: Sparkling Italian Wines / May 19 / Petersham Nurseries, Richmond
Italy produces some of the finest sparkling wines in the world, which makes this tasting the perfect opportunity to explore Italian wines more deeply, with the expert help of the Petersham Cellar team. Concentrating predominantly on Prosecco, you’ll try some wines made using the classic champagne method. They’ll take you through each individual wine, exploring their unique stories whilst comparing the three very different vinification methods used. There’ll be cheese, charcuterie, bread and oil provided throughout the tasting, and a discount on on wine purchased on the day,
For more information visit www.petershamnurseries.com
Alresford Watercress Festival / May 19 / Alresford, Hampshire
Visit one of Hampshire’s most vibrant food fests this May. Dedicated to the fresh, peppery joys of locally grown watercress, the event kicks off at 10am with a colourful parade of musicians, dancers and children accompanying the Watercress King and Queen up Broad Street. You’ll find over 80 stalls with local produce for you to taste, try and buy, and Alresford’s finest will be represented by restaurants, butchers, tearooms, cafés, a milkshake bar, a local brewery and traders from the town’s Thursday Markets. Guests chefs will work wonders with watercress, and great family entertainment is guaranteed throughout the day.
For more information visit www.watercressfestival.org
Summer Wine Tasting with Taurus Wines / May 24 / Bramley Village Hall
Join Surrey and Sussex’s favourite wine evangelists, Taurus Wines, for a summer tasting evening featuring light and fresh wines ideal for warmer weather and longer evenings. Sample zippy, thirst-quenching whites and cool and fruity reds, as well as some heartier ‘barbecue bottles’ thrown in for good measure. The wines will be accompanied by a generous buffet, with cheeses, chutneys, pâtés and pies to feast on. You’ll also benefit from a discount of 10% on any wines purchased at the tasting, together with some special offers that will only be available on the night.
For more information visit www.tauruswines.co.uk
Foodies Festival at Syon Park / May 25 – 27 / Syon Park, Brentford, Middlesex
Foodies Festival, the UK’s biggest food festival, returns to Syon Park this May with a mouth-watering summer banquet of live music, workshops and masterclasses with some of the UK’s best chefs, MasterChef and Bake Off winners cooking live. Sample wines, cocktails and street food from around the world at the many bars and stalls. See live performances headlined by Scouting for Girls, with boy band power group Boyzlife and The Specials’ favourite The Neville Staple Band, all joined by Queen tribute band Flash.
For more information visit www.foodiesfestival.com
Bottomless Brunch at The Gate / Every Saturday / Richmond Harbour Hotel
Since its recent renovation the Richmond Harbour Hotel has become an essential hangout for the town, helped by its superb restaurant and bar, The Gate. A brunch magnet at the weekends, over the summer diners can go bottomless at The Gate and try a delectable Saturday Brunch, with Prosecco or endless Bloody Marys. And if you’ve got the plenty of time you could even pop the cork on some Fizzy stuff or an Espresso Martini or two. With a DJ playing all day, the dining and drinking doesn’t stop until you call time.
For more information visit www.harbourhotels.co.uk
Bateaux Windsor – Afternoon Tea Cruise
Take it easy in style with a leisurely float down the Thames while enjoying that quintessentially English repast Afternoon Tea while with fantastic river views of historic Windsor. This 1 hour, 15-minute cruise offers scones, pastries and selection of sandwiches, as well as an assortment of teas as you pass various famous Windsor sights. You’ll feel like royalty! The cruise sails Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Bank Holidays.
For more information visitwww.bateauxlondon.com/windsor
Looking for more things to do? Check out more guides to going out .