Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder launch the Hampshire Food Festival

Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder launch the Hampshire Food Festival

Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder of Hartnett Holder &  Co, Lime Wood, officially launched the 14th Hampshire Food Festival at a special event on a balmy summer's evening at Leckford Estate Farm Shop.

Mike Wright, Chairman of Hampshire Fare, organisers of the Festival, welcomed guests: “A big thank you to Leckford Estate Farm Shop for hosting the event. Events like this don’t happen by accident. Thank you to all our producers for giving up their time and produce for the Festival launch, and thank you to the team at Hampshire Fare who work really hard and punch well above their weight.”

Mike went on to introduce Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder of Hartnett Holder & Co, Lime Wood, who champion local produce on their menus. They both said: “It is great to be invited here to launch the Hampshire Food Festival; we know the quality of the produce that sits on our doorstep as we create locally sourced dishes that showcase the best of Hampshire produce.”

Angela, who is the Michelin-starred chef patron of Murano, London, said: “Every time I drive down the M3 I feel my shoulders relax as I reach Hampshire.”

She noted that other chefs are following her lead: “It’s great to see lots of chefs coming to Hampshire and opening restaurants.” Luke also congratulated one of the event’s guests, James Durrant, Chef Patron of The Plough, Longparish, for winning this year’s Great British Menu.

As a thank you, both Angela and Luke were presented with bespoke personalised wooden chopping boards crafted by Hampshire Fare member Arboretti.

Andrew Ferguson, Farm Manager for Leckford Estate, also welcomed guests. He introduced Leckford Estate as “4,000 acres between Stockbridge and Andover, and one of the most diverse estates in Hampshire and in the country by dint of the fact that John Spedan Lewis, the founder of the John Lewis partnership who bought the estate in 1928, was a keen environmentalist and a food lover.”

Guests included Councillor Roy Perry, Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Jan Lovell, Mayor of the Test Valley, The Very Reverend James Atwell, Dean of Winchester Cathedral, and Lady Wakeham, Patron of Age UK Winchester, as well as local chefs, members of the press, and sponsors and supporters of Hampshire Fare.

Everyone was welcomed with a glass of fizz from one of the county’s acclaimed winemakers, and tucked into Broughton Water Buffalo burgers served with tomato relish supplied by Hampshire Jam & Chutney in buns baked by Oven Door Bakery using Leckford Estate flour.

Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager of Hampshire Fare, added: “Hampshire Fare supports local producers and restaurants and retailers, and one of the ways we achieve this is by helping to establish Hampshire as a food destination. Our Festival is an integral part of this, promoting our lovely county. This year’s Festival is more exciting than ever with something for everyone. So whether you want to learn cooking skills, or you’re a wine-lover, a cheese-lover or a family looking for a great day out, the Festival is a fantastic opportunity to explore our lovely county.”

Mike Wright finished by adding: “The sun is shining, go out and enjoy the Festival!”

Hampshire Food Festival is a county-wide, month-long programme of food-related events. For details of the events or to download a copy of the Hampshire Food Festival programme visit www.hampshirefare.co.uk/food-festival. For the very latest Festival news follow @HampshireFare on Twitter or visit www.facebook.com/hampshirefare