July's Hampshire Food Festival preview event

Local food producers and food lovers gathered at Newlyns Farm Shop near Hook on Thursday 13^th June to officially launch the month-long Hampshire Food Festival 2019.

The award-winning festival takes place from the 1^st-31^st July and is organised by local food group Hampshire Fare. The festival celebrates food and drink grown, reared and made in the county with over 100 events showcasing local ingredients and products.

The launch was an opportunity for guests and customers to talk to producers and sample their food and drink. There was also a chance to listen to talks from Gorilla Spirits, Lyburn Cheese, Hampshire Cheese and Gospel Green Cyder.

Emma Higgens, owner of the family-run Newlyns Farm Shop commented: “It is fantastic to be hosting so many of our favourite local producers today and giving people the opportunity to find out more Hampshire’s food and drink. We are very lucky to have such a well-established food festival in the county, there are so many tempting events to choose from!”

The demo kitchen had a packed line up of culinary talent with James Golding from THE PIG, Ian Gibbs from The Mill Inn at Gordleton, Daniel Dobbs from Newlyns Cookery School and Jane Devonshire, MasterChef champion 2016. The chefs showcased their favourite local ingredients including trout, watercress and pork.

Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager of Hampshire Fare commented: “The Hampshire Food Festival is a county-wide celebration of all our fantastic food and drink. The festival is in its nineteenth year and goes from strength to strength with over 100 events taking place this year. Whether you are already a fan or local food or want to know more about what is made here in Hampshire I urge you to go along to a festival event this July.”

Briddlesford Farm