A CELEBRATION of Winchester's culinary abilities returns this summer, with the Winchester Food Festival in July.
On July 14, between 10am and 5pm, the festival will be returning to the Cathedral Outer Close. The event, organised by Hampshire Fare and supported by Winchester BID and Winchester Cathedral, is a celebration of local produce and is free to attend.
New this year is A Taste of Winchester, a week-long programme of events from Monday, July 8 to Saturday, July 13. Hampshire Fare is working with Winchester City Council to encourage local food, drink producers, makers and hospitality businesses across the Winchester district to hold their own events and activities, from tastings and foodie masterclasses to special offers and themed menus.
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Now in its second year, Winchester Food Festival has over 30 producers taking part in the event.
One of these is Open House Deli, an independently female-owned and sustainably led kitchen, cafe and ecoshop in Winchester, which makes everything from scratch in its kitchens, set from a belief in consuming consciously by celebrating seasonal ingredients.
At the festival, Open House Deli will have artisan fresh bread and unique small batch food and drink brands for people to sample and buy. They will also be selling some great products to take out, helping people to lessen their impact on the planet.
Another business taking part is Beaky Blinders, a gluten, wheat, dairy and soya free kitchen with a passion and drive to create delicious sweet and savoury foods for everyone to enjoy.
Whether it's an allergy, intolerance or lifestyle choice, it believes no-one should have to go without and will be found at the festival with a variety of their brownies, blondies, rocky roads, sausage rolls, slices and pastry turnovers. They will also have a large selection of vegan products.
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Also making an appearance will be Madk (Mum and Dad's Kitchen), which began in a home kitchen as a hobby and has grown into a successful business for Jane and Dave Endean, who produce gluten free pies, quiches, cakes and pastry both wholesale and online.
Jane said: “We like to say that our products are unbelievably gluten free as you just can't tell the difference, and we have tricked many a judge at The British Pie Awards!"
The Winchester Cathedral Refectory will also be serving a selection of hot and cold food and drinks.
For more information, including updates about A Taste of Winchester events and producers taking part in the food festival, visit winchesterfoodfestival.co.uk.
Get the latest news via @winchesterfoodfestival on Instagram and Facebook.
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