The 15th Hampshire Food Festival is Launched in Style
It felt like summer was finally here to stay yesterday evening at THE PIG Hotel as over 100 invited guests of Hampshire Fare gathered in the sunshine to celebrate the launch of the 15th Hampshire Food Festival.
THE PIG is a shining example of an organisation dedicated to serving its customers only the finest local produce. With all food either grown on site in the hotel’s breath-taking walled gardens or sourced from within 22 miles of the hotel, the venue for the launch was chosen to emphasise the message at the heart of the Hampshire Food Festival, that local food is best.
After being welcomed with a glass of award-winning sparkling wine from Hattingley Vineyard guests were treated to delicious canapes made by the chefs at THE PIG Hotel. Local producers also engaged enthusiastically with guests sharing stories of their food and drink whilst offering tastings. From world famous cheese to organically reared meat, handmade charcuterie to rapeseed oil, the freshest trout to craft ale there was something to impress every taste.
The vocal harmony group, The Spitfire Sisters added to the celebratory atmosphere with some swinging vintage classics. Entertainment continued in the demonstration kitchen where it was the turn of THE PIG Hotel’s talented culinary duo James Golding and Dan Gover to take centre stage. Dan led the demonstration creating a mouth-watering dish using fresh trout supplied by Chalk Stream Foods.
Mike Wright, Chairman of Hampshire Fare commented on the launch, “This evening is about giving a preview of what people across the county can experience during July’s Hampshire Food Festival. We have supported local producers, farms, pubs, restaurants and hotels to put on an enticing offer of over 75 events. There is something for all ages and all tastes and we really encourage people to get out there and discover the delicious food and drink on our doorstep. The much loved and popular Hampshire Food Festival has won multiple awards and is now in its 15th year, let’s keep it going for another 15 years and beyond!”
Hampshire Fare masterminds the Hampshire Food Festival which this year is being supported by local law firm, Eric Robinson. Events this year include farm and vineyard tours, pop-up dining experiences, jam and chocolate making classes, cooking demonstrations and more. All Festival events are listed in a free programme available to pick up from local Waitrose and Southern Co-operative stores, pubs, farm shops, hotels and restaurants.
All events can also be viewed in the events section of this website and the programme is available to view onlone. Enter the competition being run in association with The Southern Co-operative to win a Gourmet Break in Winchester. For all the latest festival news follow @Hampshirefare on Twitter and www.facebook.com/hampshirefare.
Thank you to all the Hampshire Fare member who provided items for the goody bags given to guests: Hill Farm Juice, Cupcakes mmmm Cookies, Mozzo Coffee, Red Cat Brewery, Cold Pressed Oil, Naked Jam, Olives Direct, New Forest Aromatics, Flack Manor, Riverside Lifestyle, Hattingley Valley Vineyard, Isle of Wight Catch, Exton Park Vineyard, Bee Good, Winchester Coco, The Tomato Still, Upham Brewery, Yarty Cordials, Bowman Ales, Hampshire Cheeses, New Forest Water, Isle of Wight Tomatoes and New Forest Aromatics.