North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival

The Walled Garden

Holkham

September 2 and 3, 2023

www.northnorfolkfoodfestival.co.uk

This year’s North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival looks set to be the biggest yet with more than 70 stalls, all offering the finest produce from the area’s rich larder.

You can expect festival regulars such as Candi’s Chutney, Black Shuck gins, honey from Leigh’s Bees and fantastic breads and pastries from Bread Source, alongside newer names such as the Norfolk Doggy Deli with treats for four-legged friends.

Visitors can sample ready made cocktails from Danni Wilson at Mindful Mixology, learn more about Norfolk’s own English Whisky offerings or try local cheeses such as Catherine Temple’s Binham Blue from the ever popular Walsingham Farms shop.

They can also enjoy a wide selection of pop up foodie concessions including a hog roast, artisan coffee, Thai curries and real lemonade.

The Malt Coast Brewery Bar keeps everyone refreshed, with plenty of local wines, spirits and cocktails, created especially for the festival, available throughout the weekend.

This year sees the introduction of the Festival Cream Tea, served by the team at The Crown Hotel in Wells in the beautiful gardens. They are keeping it simple with just a cup of tea and a scone, prepared to a family recipe from Chris Coubrough, chef patron of The Crown, and joint founder of the festival.

The Arthur Howell Cookery Theatre, which opens on both days, offers a packed programme of demos and talks from the area’s chefs and local producers. Hosted by Norwich-based foodie Andy Newman, this year’s line up includes Rebecca Bishop from Two Magpies Bakery which has branches in Holt and Blakeney, plus Rebecca Heath of Hestia Patisserie who will demonstrate her considerable cake making skills. Lewis Peck from the Parlour at Binham Priory provides us with brunch ideas, and Michael Chamberlain of The Victoria on the Holkham Estate offers us a zero food miles dish by using fresh produce from the Estate grounds.

King’s Lynn-based Barsby Produce runs its annual award, offering a local producer the chance to increase its distribution, using the company’s extensive customer base. Ben Keeley of Barsby Produce explains: ‘We want to open up new markets to a worthy local producer. Last year’s winner, Essence Foods, saw us get their mustards on lots more menus in and around the region.’ The award is open to all stall holders attending the festival.

The festival is run as a not for profit event by a team of volunteers who consider their main role as promoting small, local businesses including both producers and chefs. Sponsors include The Real Ale Shop, Holkham, and Essence Foods in Stanfield, and the media partner is North Norfolk Living magazine.The festival is very dog friendly, and sees a dedicated area for you and your pooch, with stalls, pampering options and picture opportunities!

This is the 14th year of the festival which returns to the Walled Garden at Holkham in North Norfolk on September 2 and 3, by kind permission of the Earl and Countess of Leicester. It regularly attracts more than 12,000 visitors.

Entry is free and car parking is available at £5 per vehicle. The festival opens from 10am to 4pm on both days.

Visitors to the festival can also enjoy the vast offering at Holkham, including a tour of Holkham Hall – an 18th century Palladian style mansion, the Holkham Stories Experience, the Courtyard Gift Shop and Cafe, cycle hire and a high ropes course. There are many lovely estate walks and cycle ways to explore too, and also Holkham beach which is regularly voted one of the best in the country.

More details from committee member Sarah Hardy, tel 07711446054