The streets of Market Drayton were spiced up recently when hundreds of people flocked to the North Shropshire medieval market town to celebrate the culinary, heritage and historical links of spices, food and gingerbread during the national and annual celebratory campaign of ‘British Flood Fortnight’.
The festival showcased and celebrated local producers, artisans and seasonal produce.
Events included a pop-up restaurant showcasing British alternatives to spices with local chef James Sherwin
a comedy food show with stand-up comedian/chef ‘George Egg’;
a foraging walk around the town and Tern River with local chef of ‘Wild Shropshire’;
a spicy street market;
cookery demonstrations from local chefs including Executive chef, Chris Burt, & his team from the Mytton and Mermaid Hotel;
educational outreach activities about spices for children and adults;
a gingerbread baking contest;
live music by local singer/songwriter Heidi Browne;
beer tasting of the ‘spicy’ Kolkata beer at local brewers Joule’s Brewery and Clive’s pop-up supper club.
The aim of the new festival was to bring together the local community to discover, explore, re-connect and celebrate their unique culinary heritage, as well as promote and celebrate their local produce. In turn, it was hoped that the people of the town would not only learn more about their history but go on to champion their unique and seasonal offering, in turn, attracting more visitors to the town.
The festival which was supported by over 60 local businesses/ organisations plus community volunteers, was a huge success and will be repeated next year from Wednesday 26th to Saturday 29th September 2018 during British Food Fortnight.
To find out further information, please go to www.gingerandspicefest.co.uk
