Food lovers came in their thousands and from far and wide to feast at the 2016 Farnham Food Festival on Saturday 24 September.
They came, they ate and they savoured at the many food and drink stalls as well as learning cookery tips from top local chefs at cookery demonstrations and talks.
An estimated 15,000 people came to the town for the festival, which marks the end of Farnham’s very successful two-week Feast of Food organised by Farnham Town Council and sponsored by Shield Security Services Limited.
Councillor Jill Hargreaves, Lead Member for Tourism and Events said: “As ever, the atmosphere was amazing. This is the eighth year we have held the festival and once more, I have been overwhelmed at how popular it is with locals and visitors alike. The number, variety and quality of food and drink related businesses we have in and around Farnham never fails to impress me.
“The festival was busy all day. People arrived long before it officially started at 10am and the lovely weather made them reluctant to leave at 4pm. The live music was excellent and the cookery demonstrations attracted crowds of up to 250 people. Children were also catered for with face-painting and the Farnham Maltings’ popular pop-up craft stall.”
Around 100 businesses and organisations were represented at the festival showing off products as diverse as cakes and pork pies to Turkish delight and Caribbean preserves. Thirsty customers were spoilt for choice with champagne, local ales, cider, specialist teas, cocktails, fresh juices, spirits and English wines available to taste and buy.
Shoppers and residents had the chance to try new twists on traditional favourites such as gourmet flavoured shortbread and handmade marshmallows or to try out something new such as Sicilian street food. Castle Street was closed to traffic for the day to accommodate the festival.
Councillor Hargreaves adds: “The festival was sponsored by a local and privately owned security company, Shield Security Services Limited with additional support from The Wheatsheaf Bar and Grill and sign manufacturers, Lavastar. I would like to thank all our fantastic sponsors for helping us put on such an ambitious event. My thanks also go to the many local businesses that took part in the festival either by having a stall, running a demonstration or helping us behind the scenes.”
Speaking after the Food Festival, Mr Bipin Joshi, Managing Director of Shield Security Services Limited said: “I’m so pleased that we were able to sponsor the Food Festival. We were delighted to welcome so many of our existing customers to our stall and to demonstrate our bespoke CCTV set-ups to potential clients. We found it very rewarding to be part of such an exciting and popular event that supports local businesses.”
