FOOD-STUFF
Looking to explore Surrey’s food and drink landscape? Check out our guide to some of the best foodie events taking place in Surrey and Berkshire this September…
WOKING FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL / AUGUST 30 – SEPTEMBER 1 / JUBILEE SQUARE, WOKING
The annual Woking Food & Drink Festival returns to the town centre this September, promising a bumper weekend of eats and treats for visitors to discover and devour. Watch cooking demonstrations, listen to bite-size talks from chefs and enjoy pop-up dining experiences throughout the town. The three-day free festival of food and drink is not to be missed.
For more information visit, www.wokingfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk
SECRETT’S SWEETCORN FESTIVAL / AUGUST 30 – SEPTEMBER 1 / SECRETT’S, MILFORD
An entire festival dedicated to the crop we call sweetcorn. Make your way to Secrett’s Farm in Milford for a three-day extravaganza dedicated to the versatile vegetable. With fun activities and more, make it a day with the family.
For more information visit, www.secretts.co.uk
TUDOR COOKERY / SEPTEMBER 1 / HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Known for fabulous feasts aplenty, delve in and discover the inner workings of the enormous kitchen complex at Hampton Court Palace that once served Henry VIII’s ever-so plump stomach. History’s delicacies and delights await you.
For more information, visit www.hrp.org.uk
KITCHEN GARDEN TOUR / SEPTEMBER 4, 8, 11, 14, 18, 25 / HAM HOUSE AND GARDEN
Join a garden guide from Ham House for a free 30-minute tour of the historic 17th-century kitchen garden. Ogle tasty herbs and vegetables and gain inspiration for your very own kitchen garden at home.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
ITALIAN TOURIST BOARD FESTIVAL OF FOOD AND WINE / SEPTEMBER 6 – 7 / ASCOT RACECOURSE
The opening race day of this two-day Italian Tourist Board Festival of Food and Wine Weekend is a real feast for the senses. Fantastic racing meets a host of culinary attractions, including stallholders, samplings, and appearances from star chefs. Friday’s race card includes seven competitive Flat races, with the Weatherby’s Handicap Stakes among the highlights on the track. The Gastronomes Theatre will offer talks and demonstrations from celebrity chefs and culinary experts, while racegoers will be able to sample and purchase food and wines from more than 40 stalls.
For more information, visit www.ascot.co.uk
G LIVE BEER FESTIVAL / SEPTEMBER 6 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
How do you like your hops? The G Live Beer Festival is back for a weekend in celebration of the wet stuff. This two-day festival in the town centre will provide ale enthusiasts with the chance to sample a selection of local and not-so-local beers while enjoying live music, hog roast and BBQ. Choose from an evening session on Friday, or between day and evening sessions on Saturday.
For more information visit, www.glive.co.uk
SUPPER CLUB – A TALE OF THREE CITIES / SEPTEMBER 7 / MANDIRA’S KITCHEN, ALBURY
Inspired by Mandira’s culinary adventures and escapades, why not take a seat at this special supper club featuring street-food starters from Calcutta, a tasty thali platter from the palaces of Delhi followed by a trio of desserts from Bombay. Spaces are limited.
For more information visit, www.mandiraskitchen.com
THE SURREY CHILLI FESTIVAL / SEPTEMBER 7 – 8 / IMBER COURT, ESHER
Have your taste buds got what it takes to sample some fiery foodstuff? Taking place over two days in Esher, enjoy a chilli-themed weekend and enjoy over 100 different stalls showcasing the very best in chilli-infused food and drink.
For more information visit, www.allinone.events
FARNHAM GIN FESTIVAL / SEPTEMBER 13 – 14 / FARNHAM MALTINGS
Celebrate with gin over two days at The Farnham Maltings this September. Ponder and peruse an inordinate number of gins produced by distillers sourced from far and wide, as well as enjoying workshops, talks – and naturally a drop or two to taste along the way. Seek out some salubrious and sympathetic pals, take part in workshops, watch demonstrations, and pop along for a session in gin heaven.
For more information visit, www.farnhammaltings.com
HOP HARVEST PARTY / SEPTEMBER 14 / HOGS BACK BREWERY, TONGHAM
‘Tis the time of year to harvest! Head to the marvellous world of the famed Hogs Back Brewery in Tongham for a right proper Hop Harvest Party. From 3 pm – 10 pm celebrate the hop-tastic Hogs Back beer with music, food and a pint. As is the tradition at the brewery, a batch of their very special Green T.E.A will be available; brewed with the freshest of hops, this distinct beaker of green beer will go down a treat!
For more information visit, www.hogsback.co.uk
KINGSTON KOREAN FESTIVAL: HARVEST FEST / SEPTEMBER 14 / ANCIENT MARKET PLACE, KINGSTON
Korea meets Kingston, with a festival of culture and culinary feastings in the Ancient Market Place. Enjoy Vegan Kimchi cookery demonstrations with Buddhist Chef Dae An, and learn more about Korean food with Chef HS Yim. Further entertainments for your delectation and delight come in the form of K-Pop, dance and lantern making.
For more information, visit www.kbce.org.uk
SURREY HILLS FOOD FESTIVAL / SEPTEMBER 15 – 16 / DENBIES WINE ESTATE, DORKING
Returning to Denbies Wine Estate this month, the Surrey Hills Food Festival features the very best in local produce. Expect cookery demonstrations, talks and tastings from celebrity chefs, as well as your chance to sample some truly scrumptious grub.
For more information visit, www.surreyhills.org
LITERARY TEA WITH PRUE LEITH / SEPTEMBER 16 / COWORTH PARK, ASCOT
Chef and food writer Prue Leith has played a leading role in revolutionising the nation’s eating habits since 1960, and has also served up a series of romantic novels. Enjoy afternoon tea and a glass of champagne as Prue talks with Caroline Waldegrave about the final instalment of her epic saga, The Angelotti Chronicles, following the fortunes of an Anglo-Italian family in the restaurant business.
For more information, visit www.windsorfringe.co.uk
EXPLORING TEA / SEPTEMBER 17 / PETERSHAM NURSERIES, RICHMOND
Spend the afternoon sampling and exploring the quintessentially English experience of a nice cup of tea. Join like-minded lovers of the loose leafed infused national favourite at Petersham Nurseries and listen to short stories on the history of tea and how it became a staple feature of the day.
For more information, visit www.petershamnurseries.com
HASLEMERE FOOD FESTIVAL / SEPTEMBER 21 / LION GREEN, HASLEMERE
A celebration of local produce sourced from Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, the Haslemere Food Festival returns for its 14th year. Experience gastronomic goodies and much more.
For more information visit, www.haslemere.com
ELMBRIDGE FOOD FESTIVAL / SEPTEMBER 21 – 22 / PAINSHILL PARK, COBHAM
Sample some of Surrey’s finest artisan produce at the Elmbridge Food Festival, taking place at Painshill Park in Cobham this September. Meet local food and drink producers, watch live cookery demonstrations and be entertained by live music at this free event – perfect for the whole family.
For more information visit, www.painshill.co.uk
VEGAN & VINYL / SEPTEMBER 22 / LOADING BAY CAFÉ, VANSITTART ESTATE, WINDSOR
For an alternative, Sunday lunch this September the Loading Bay Café, based at Kardelton House, will host a very special Vegan & Vinyl lunch. Devour tasty plant-based meals while listening to an eclectic mix of reggae, afrobeat and jazz.
For more information, visit www.windsorfringe.co.uk
HIGH TEA / SEPTEMBER 26 / POLESDEN LACEY, DORKING
Celebrating 110 years since Mrs Greville hosted her first house party at Polesden Lacey, enjoy a very special High Tea this September. Devour dainty sandwiches and elegant cakes after hearing a brief introductory talk about the history of the aforementioned first party and the distinguished guests that attended this sophisticated soiree.
For more information visit, www.nationaltrust.org.uk
COMMUNITY APPLE PRESSING DAY / SEPTEMBER 28 / SWAN BARN FARM, HASLEMERE
As autumn arrives you may have noticed the odd piece of fallen fruit on the ground. If you seem to have a surplus of apples at your disposal why not pop along to this awesome community apple-pressing day at Swan Barn Farm near Haslemere. Whether you have your own apples or not, join local rangers and experience the farm’s heritage apple press and scratter (pulper) to make your own apple juice and cider. How do you like them apples?
For more information visit, www.nationaltrust.org.uk
WINDSOR MUSHROOM MARKET / SEPTEMBER 28 / CARLUCCIO’S, WINDSOR
Are you fanatical about fungi? Mad about the mushroom? Mushrooms and truffles are key ingredients for the team of talented chefs at Carluccio’s, and founder Antonio was known as the Mushroom Man, having foraged, cooked and written about them for over 60 years. This September the restaurant host a very special pop-up mushroom market where you’ll be able to try various fabulous fungi, sample street-food dishes, and learn more from mushroom experts.
For more information, visit www.carluccios.com
FARNHAM FOOD FESTIVAL / SEPTEMBER 29 / CASTLE STREET, FARNHAM
The Farnham Food Festival has quickly grown to become one of the largest one-day foodie festivals in the South-East of England. Hosting more than 100 food and drink producers selling a variety of products, the weekend will also see food demonstrations from local chefs taking place, as well as a fiesta of food and drink to sample and take home with you. Live music from local performers as well as further entertainments completes a fabulous foodie day out for all.
For more information visit, www.farnham.gov.uk
SILENT POOL DISTILLERY GIN EXPERIENCE TOUR / TUESDAY – SUNDAY / SILENT POOL DISTILLERS, ALBURY
Gin, glorious gin. Not that you may need much convincing of course, but to discover the botanical brilliance of gin why not pop along to Silent Pool Gin Distillery for one of their weekly tours? For gin-lovers and those that are just gin-curious, the Silent Pool Distillery hasa great story of passion, art andscience to share – not to mention their award-winninggins to taste.
For more information visit, www.silentpooldistillers.com
DR CHOC’S CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP / WINDSOR CHOCOLATE FACTORY, WINDSOR
Crazy about cocoa? For those keen on creating their very own chocolate concoctions, Dr Choc’s Windsor Chocolate Factory hosts two different workshops, where you’ll be able to discover and identify the ingredients that will make your very own creations taste so great. If you’re in a hurry, take a 15-minute Express Workshop to make and decorate three of your very own chocolate bars. For those keen on something more in-depth, Chocolatier Workshops will introduce you to the basics of chocolate making, as well as making a variety of sweet treats to take home with you.
For more information, visit www.windsorchocolatefactory.co.uk