FOOD-STUFF!
*CAUTION: If you’re feeling hungry we advise you avert your eyes. It’s harvest time in Surrey and by golly have the county’s food and drink producers got some goodies for you. Foodie festivals, gin festivals, food talks from top chefs and critics alike; if food be thy medicine, then the list of events taking place this month will be sure to satisfy and nourish your needs…
CIDER AND SAUSAGE FESTIVAL / SEPTEMBER 4 / GOSTREY MEADOW, FARNHAM
Cider and Sausage…could there be two sweeter sounding words? What’s this? A whole festival dedicated to such fineries! You bet. Head to Farnham’s Gostrey Meadow for a day celebrating all things Sausage and Cider this September. Choose from the family-friendly daytime session (12 – 4) or Adults only (5 – 9). Discover a range of sausages from home and abroad and local cider producers vying to quench your thirst and live music courtesy of The Funky Funks.
For more information, visit farnhamlions.org.uk
FANTASTIC FOOD FESTIVAL / SEPTEMBER 4 – 5 / DENBIES WINE ESTATE, DORKING
Surround yourself with some of the finer things in life this September as you’re treated to a fiesta of fabulous food curated by the Fantastic Food Festival. Surrounded by the breathtaking views of the Surrey Hills surrounding Denbies Wine Estate, browse and buy a bounty of food-stuffs for your tastebuds to enjoy.
For more information, visit denbies.co.uk
BOOKHAM FOOD FESTIVAL / SEPTEMBER 11 / BOOKHAM BARN HALL & FIELD
A family-friendly, food-centric date awaits your diaries this month as the Bookham Food Festival sets up camp for the day at Bookham Barn Hall and Field. Featuring local produce, international cuisine, and cooking demonstrations, those who wish to quench their thirst will also be treated to a bar serving beers, ales, wine and Gin from the local’s fine array of breweries and distilleries.
For more information, visit bookhamfoodfestival.co.uk
SURREY CHILLI FESTIVAL / SEPTEMBER 11 / WALTON-ON-THAMES CRICKET CLUB
Have your taste buds got what it takes to sample some fiery foodstuff? Taking place at Walton-On-Thames Cricket Club, enjoy a chilli-themed day and perusing the different stalls showcasing the very best in chilli-infused food and drink.
For more information, visit thelocalfoodfestival.com
SURREY GIN FEST / SEPTEMBER 11 / LOSELEY PARK, GUILDFORD
If you’re bonkers about the botanical brilliance of Gin, then go ahead and celebrate this September by attending the Surrey Gin Fest held at Loseley Park. Heralded as the UK’s biggest Gin Festival, as well as Gin, Gin and more Gin, attendees will also get to sample the delights of local artisan food stalls and live entertainment from the main stage. So what are you waiting for? See you at the bar.
For more information visit, surreyginfest.com
DUDE FOOD COOKERY COURSE / SEPTEMBER 16 / ABINGER COOKERY SCHOOL
Are you a dude? Fed up of getting to the kitchen and not having a clue what to do? If your lack of culinary skills has been bringing you down, then fear not, for the educationally-minded folk of The Abinger Cookery School have the perfect antidote to your woes. From pulled pork and sticky ribs to super sauces and delicious deserts, sign up for this one-day cookery course and learn how to make a range of delectable dishes to wow your nearest and dearest with.
For more information, visit abingercookeryschool.com
HOP HARVEST FESTIVAL & TEA PARTY / SEPTEMBER 18 + 19 / 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 Festival this weekend. On Saturday, enjoy a day of beer, music and street food, and on Sunday, bring the family along for the Hop Harvest TEA Party. 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! Expect good times.
For more information, visit hogback.co.uk
HASLEMERE FOOD FESTIVAL / SEPTEMBER 18 / LION GREEN, HASLEMERE
A celebration of local produce sourced from Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, the Haslemere Food Festival returns to Lion Green in Haslemere this month, ready to wow foodies with a haven of gastronomic goodies and much more. Taking place from 10 am – 4 pm, entry is free, which makes this the perfect day out for the whole family.
For more information, visit haslemere.com
BIRIYANI AND BUBBLES / SEPTEMBER 19 / ALBURY ORGANIC VINEYARD
Silent Pool based food and drink aficionados Albury Organic Vineyard and Mandira’s Kitchen team up to present a Sunday lunch of Biriyani and Bubbles. Sounds great, right? Tuck into a sumptuous three-course menu of crisp samosas, fresh biriyani and Bombay ice cream while you gently sip away on some of Albury Estate’s Classic Cuvée. Spaces get snapped up quick, so you know what to do – save yourself a seat at the table today.
For more information, visit alburyvineyard.com
YOTAM OTTOLENGHI: A LIFE IN FLAVOUR / SEPTEMBER 20 / ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON
Acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and writer Yotam Ottolenghi comes to Kingston’s Rose Theatre this month with the inside scoop on his life in flavour. Discover Yotam’s favourite tastes, ingredients and flavours and be inspired to produce some delicious dishes in the kitchen.
For more information, visit rosetheatre.org
WOODLAND FEAST OVER FIRE / SEPTEMBER 22 / THE SALT BOX, PRIORY FARM ESTATE, REDHILL
For an alternative to dining out in the town’s latest eateries, head for the woods of Priory Farm and join wild food specialists The Salt Box for a woodland feast cooked over the fire in the great outdoors. Meet fellow intrepid foodies whilst sampling the very best in local and seasonal produce.
For more information, visit wearethesaltbox.co.uk
OKTOBERFEST / SEPTEMBER 23 – 26 / LION GREEN, HASLEMERE
Get a taste of the great Bavarian beer celebration of Oktoberfest at this early bird festival in Haslemere this month. Hosted by the town’s finest purveyors of all things craft beer, West Street-based Red.H, head to Lion Green in your loveliest pair of lederhosen and clink a Stein or two with friends old and new.
For more information, visit redh.co.uk
PATISSERIE AT HOME – MACARON CLASS / SEPTEMBER 26 / VICTORIA’S KITCHEN, MAYFORD GREEN
Looking to find out how to create the perfect sweet treats? Pop along to this workshop at Victoria’s Kitchen in Woking and master the art of making magnificent macarons that’ll be sure to wow your grateful guests when they next pop over for a cuppa.
For more information, visit victorias-kitchen.com
JAY RAYNER / OCTOBER 3 / CAMBERLEY THEATRE
The award-winning restaurant critic, MasterChef judge and writer Jay Rayner comes to Camberley Theatre this month, asking the all-important existential question of what one might eat should it be there last? Listen to Rayner wax lyrical about the concept of the last supper and why it intrigues us. Based on his latest book, find out what might be on the menu of Rayner’s last supper this autumn.
For more information, visit camberleytheatre.co.uk