NEWS
CELEBRITY CHEF IS FACE OF MENDIP FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
An award-winning celebrity chef who has cooked for the Queen is the face of this year's Mendip Food and Drink Festival.
Martin Blunos, who is seen regularly on our television screens in programmes such as BBC1's Saturday Kitchen, is flying the flag for Mendip's delicious array of food and drink.
He joined Mendip District Council, which supports the annual festival, to launch the mouthwatering event at the prestigious Ston Easton Park on the Mendips.
The 10-day festival takes place during the October half term holiday (from Friday, October 24 to Sunday, November 2 this year).
The festival, now in its fifth year, celebrates the array of food and drink grown, produced and served in the Mendip area.
It is the ethos of it being a local event and celebrating local produce that has attracted celebrity chef Martin Blunos to get involved.
Speaking about the Mendip Food and Drink Festival, he said: "The south west is such a large area that Mendip can sometimes be lost with the other festivals that take place.
"The Mendip Food and Drink Festival is a perfect opportunity to highlight what the area has to offer. The whole of the westcountry is a great area for locally grown produce, and Mendip certainly plays a big part.
"I hope that the food festival can educate people about what great food and drink is grown and produced in Mendip, and to help the area stand out from the others across the south west."
Mr Blunos says he has plans to undertake a major tour of Mendip during the festival, taking part in as many events as possible to promote the food and drink event.
Cllr John Osman, Mendip District Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, said: "The council is keen to support the local food and drink sector, which is an important part of the local economy. This festival is an opportunity to gather support, not only for the tourist trade, but also to raise the profile of local food production, and the many shops, hotels, restaurants, pubs and cafes across the district."
MARTIN BLUNOS: FROM COOKING FOR THE QUEEN TO STARRING ON TELEVISION
The face of this year's Mendip Food and Drink Festival is celebrity chef Martin Blunos, who has not only starred on television but has also cooked for the queen.
During this year's festival he is keen to be out and about across the district, speaking to producers and businesses to promote local food and drink.
Here is some information about the chef who cooked for the queen:
Martin Blunos is one of the country's greatest chefs who has held two Michelin stars for more than fifteen years. He was born and brought up near Bath, his parents having come to England from Latvia just after the Second World War.
In each of his restaurants he earned two Michelin stars. First was Restaurant Lettonie on the edge of Bristol. In 1997 he opened a larger version of Lettonie in Bath and added letting rooms. Food writers, critics and contempories were regular customers and Martin's cooking attracts journalists of leading food publications from all around the globe.
He went to college in Cheltenham, did a spell at the Strand Palace Hotel in London, a season in Switzerland and a many cruises on a Greek tycoon's yacht before finding a job at Lampwick's in London's Battersea Road.
Martin appears frequently on television and radio including the BBC's Great Food Live!, Food Uncut, Saturday Kitchen, Food Poker and Market Kitchen. He made 'Tasting Times with Martin Blunos' a ten-part series for HTV and was chosen to cook for the Queen during her jubilee year which was part of a television programme.
Martin was invited to meet prime minister Tony Blair at the Foreign and Commonwealth Institute to celebrate Latvia joining the EU. He appeared on Sky N's Worlds' Greatest Dishes, BBC 1 Holiday Programme, BBC 2 Master Chef Goes Large and his own two part Christmas special for HT\.l.
Martin lives in Bath with his wife Sian, a trained chef herself as well as food writer and published author. They have two sons Leon and Max and a daughter Coco, and in his spare time Martin is a born again 'roadie' to Max's rock band Cool Morning Colours.
CIDER SUPPORT
The world's second largest cider maker is a major sponsor of this year's Mendip Food and Drink Festival.
The Gaymer Cider Company based in Shepton Mallet, whose leading brands include Blackthorn, Gaymer's Original and Gaymer's pear and premium brands such as Addlestones and Orchard Reserve, has given its backing to the annual celebration of the best culinary delights in Mendip.
Although the Gaymer Cider Company has previously supported the festival, the company is stepping up its involvement this year to help put Mendip's food and drink on the national map.
Managing director of the Gaymer Cider Company, John Mills, said: "We are a company that is proud of our local links, not only in terms of being based in the heart of Mendip, but also that our ciders are produced in Shepton Mallet in the heart of Mendip".
Ciders produced by the Gaymer Cider Company are some of the most popular in the country, and it has continued to develop its range with the launch of Gaymer's Pear and more recently Gaymer's County Series which includes Somerset and Devon ciders.
And it isn't just its brands that the company has invested in; over recent years it has invested more than £35million at its cider mill in Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet, to make it among the most modern, efficient and flexible cider production facility in the world.
In addition, over the last decade there has been major investment of £3million in the planting of 2,000 acres of new orchards, which totals about 750,000 new trees, to ensure traditional English apples are used in their ciders.
FOOD CRAWL THAT WILL MAKE YOU DROOL
Beer, chocolates and the taste of Portugal are just some of the tasty delights on offer at a Mendip food crawl later this month.
The Shepton Mallet Food Crawl will take in eight cafés, restaurants and pubs in the town on Wednesday, October 24, as part of the Mendip Food and Drink Festival (October 19 to 28).
Organised by festival sponsor Alan Stone from Old Mill Accountants and Financial Advisers, the event aims to show off the range of delicious food and drink available in Shepton’s town centre.
Mr Stone said: “This innovative and sociable gastronomic extravaganza will spread across eight locations. From the social hub at The Academy you will be free to indulge your gluttony in any order you like.
”As well as individuals enjoying themselves it will also be great to see groups out having a good sociable night while enjoying some delicious treats.”
The venues taking part are:
The Academy – Entertainment and a bar.
Lisboa Portuguese Café – Tastes of Portugal.
Peppers Deli and Café – Soup, ramekins and terrine.
Chockies Chocolatier – Chocolates and more.
Chats Café – Delicate desserts.
Delicious Delicatessen – Sausages, cheeses and quiches.
Denela’s Coffee Lounge – Fresh from the bakery.
Stumbles Inn – Local brews, ciders and juices.
The night takes place between 6pm and 10pm, and tickets cost £14 and are available from the participating businesses above or Shepton Mallet Tourist Information Centre on 01749 345258.
As well as food and drink there will also be entertainment on offer thanks to organisers Shepton 21 and Fran Wulf from the town’s Chamber of Commerce.
Martin Lofthouse, chairman of the Mendip Food and Drink Festival, said: “Judging by the range of businesses and food and drink on offer at this food crawl, it shows the wide range that is available in Shepton Mallet.
“We expect this to be a very popular event, and with eight businesses taking part you will be spoilt for choice – a lot to cram in four hours, and it will demonstrate your support for this year’s Mendip Food and Drink Festival.”
Photo: Food festival sponsor Alan Stone with Carol Ansell, owner of Chockies Chocolatier, which is taking part in the food crawl
Have Food Festival fun with Farrington's Children's Painting Competition
Budding artists across Mendip under the age of 12 are invited to take part in the Painting Competition being organised by Farrington’s Farm Shop as part of the Mendip Food & Drink Festival, which takes place from 19th-28th October.
The competition is divided into 3 age groups:
Pre-School (under 5),
Infant (5-7) and
Junior (8-11)
Each age group has its own subject, chosen to increase the interest of children in the countryside, develop a healthy approach to food and heighten their awareness of The Year of Food & Farming, which has recently been launched to all schools.
The categories are:
A) Under 5: A Scarecrow
B) Aged 5-7: Mendip Farm Animals
C) Aged 8-11: Fruit & Vegetables
– My Favourite Five
Pictures can be in any colouring medium - including pencil, crayon and watercolour. To enter the competition, simply print out and complete the entry coupon and stick it to the back of the painting - which should be no larger than A3 (297mm x 420mm) and take it to Farrington’s Farm Shop at Farrington Gurney - to arrive by Friday 19th October.
Shortlisted drawings/paintings will be on display at Farrington’s during the Mendip Food & Drink Festival and the winners in each category will be announced at Farrington’s Competition Day on Saturday 27th October. Winning entries will remain on display at Farrington’s and may feature in advertising. A selection of entries will appear in The Journal. Prizes of painting sets will be presented to 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each group – plus a special award for the school submitting most entries.
Jon Thorner’s Press Release
Jon Thorner’s free range Pork helps Baltonsborough Win the Best Primary School Dinners 2007 Award!
Baltonsborough Church of England Primary school received the Best School Dinners 2007 Award last week, after competing against a whole host of other primary schools in May.
The winning meal was roast pork with apple sauce, roast potatoes, mash, a medley of vegetables and home made stuffing. The two judges included the Chairman of Somerset County Council and Mary Hughes, who judged on May 8th and informed the school of their winning title last week.
Head Cook, Mo Thorner is delighted with the news, “This is a fantastic thing for us! It was a real team effort; we put together the presentation, picked a menu and created a fun, quirky write up of the ingredients. The whole school got involved including the children, who of course, ate the meal!”
Mo Thorner has been providing home cooked meals for the school for the past year and the take up has been tremendous. “We cook for about 80 children every Monday and Tuesday which is almost the entire school”.
The school also has its own vegetable garden growing new potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, radishes and runner beans and makes learning fun for the children by incorporating the food into lessons like science and nature. “The runner beans started life in the science lab before being planted by the children in the garden. It’s important that they understand where the food comes from and how it grows” says Head Teacher, Lesley Fenwick.
Lesley is delighted with the result; “we think it is a fair reflection of all the hard work that goes into producing our school meals. They are tasty, nourishing and home cooked using local produce including locally sourced meat from Jon Thorner’s. The children seem to genuinely enjoy the food, there is very little wastage, it is all eaten and enjoyed, which is very important to us”.
Mo adds “we provide lots of variety including meat pies, chicken dishes, lasagne, spaghetti bolognaise, fish pie, along with some delicious desserts like sticky toffee pudding and banoffee pie with fresh fruit being available everyday”.
Mo’s home cooked lunches are also open to select visitors, including parents and OAP's at a cost of £2 including pudding! The children chat to different visitors each week, supervised by dinner ladies and the teachers, who also eat with the children.
If you’d like to sample Mo’s home cooked lunches at Baltonsborough primary school, give them call on 01458 850526 to find out more.
Want more info? Call 01749 830138 or email Jon.Thorner@jonthorners.co.uk
Did you come to the Abbey during 20th – 29th October ?
We decided the Abbey should take part in the Mendip Food and Drink Festival and incorporate our Living History performers as part of the show; so they started to research medieval food and drink as part of their performances. But we couldn’t leave it there, could we? We had to challenge ourselves to provide a ‘Monk’s lunch’ for the ten days of the festival, as well.
Kay Wych made ten apple pies, according to a medieval recipe, with apples from our orchard and saffron to colour the pastry. The household of the Education Officer set itself to make enough pottage to feed about twenty people each day, and Burns the Bread was put on standby to provide their largest baps at the rate of 10 a day and more on weekends.
We researched several recipes: Turnip pottage, known then as ‘Rapes in pottage’ which turned out to be far nicer than you might expect from the name! It can also be made with ‘pasternakes and skyriwittes’ which is parsnips and swede to you and me. Vegetable pottages were thickened with beans, or barley, or oatmeal which makes a kind of porridge – slightly strange to our tastes. On days when the monks were not fasting they were allowed meat stock to flavour their broth, and the food was served on a trencher, which is half a loaf of bread cut through the centre. If you are hungry you eat your plate as well as your meal – which saves on washing up as well!
It was interesting to see which people would not eat meat, as they were vegetarians, or would not eat vegetables, because they ate mainly the processed ready meals of our time. However most people felt able to tackle the desert - a slice of apple pie and cream. We served between 20 and 30 people each day, whilst on Sunday 29th October there we served about 100 ; so we finished on a high note !
Many children and their families came for the three days( 25th, 26th and 27th Oct) that we once again took part in the Big Draw, a nation wide art event, for which this year we had engaged the services of local artist Caroline Hayles. Children were given big black felt tip pens and encouraged to make bold drawings of the ruins and the details of the stonework. The results can be seen in the museum for a week or two.
All in all it was a good end to a successful year. We cannot end without a thank you for all the people; staff , friends and volunteers who had given their time, effort and enthusiasm to help the Living History programme in the Abbot’s kitchen.
Susan Strong
Education Officer
PRESS RELEASE
29th October 2006
POTATOES – ALL PART OF SUNDAY LUNCH!
No one would be surprised to be offered roast potatoes with their Sunday lunch – but if you were at Green Farm and Shute Farm Studio this weekend you would have been able to eat potatoes in every single dish!
Stephen and Fran Britten hosted a fabulous lunch at the farm studio at Downend near Shepton Mallet, which combines art and agriculture and was attended by over thirty guests. The event was the culmination of the third Mendip Food & Drink Festival which has been running for the last ten days across the Mendips.
Chef Jonathan Steele produced a mouth watering array of dishes which included homemade traditional Italian bread with potato, mozzarella and rosemary; creamed Savoy cabbage and potato tart with Gruyere cheese and a wonderful Tartiflette which consisted of creamy potato, smoked bacon and Reblechon cheese bake, from the Haute-Savoir region of France. Then, just when you thought it couldn’t get much better, Jonathan served up a delicious chocolate potato cake and a very tasty potato and pine nut sweet tart.
Julie Cooper from FAB! who co-ordinated the Festival said: “It was a fascinating afternoon full of diversity and fabulous food. I’m sure people had no idea just how versatile the good old potato was. Jonanthan conjured up some great dishes which everyone thoroughly enjoyed”.
After lunch guests were able to indulge in some potato printing under the expert eye of one of Shute Farm Studio’s tutors and where Fran and her team run art courses throughout the year.
Stephen Britten owns and runs the only seed potato farm on the Mendips and after all that eating guests took a gentle stroll up to Green Farm where Stephen and his team explained how the seed potatoes are grown and harvested year after year. This was followed by a visit to the dairy house to watch some of the Friesian Holstein cows being milked. All their milk is sold to A G & R G Barber at Ditcheat and is used primarily to make Cheddar cheese. All in all a fascinating visit for everyone as well as a fabulous lunch.
PRESS RELEASE
MENDIP ON SAFARI!
Good food and exercise was on the menu in Wells on Friday evening as the third Mendip Food & Drink Festival began in style with a Safari Supper!
Diners congregated in Anton’s Bistro at The Crown to begin the evening with a sparking cider reception followed by a delicious terrine starter made with local ham and apple chutney and fabulous home-made bread.
A brisk walk across the road to Sadler Street saw the thirty diners seated in the Garden Room of The Swan Hotel for a main course of local chicken and bubble and squeak followed by a short walk to the White Hart Inn next door to complete dinner with a fabulous dessert made from local plums. Each course was accompanied by delicious wine and there was live musical entertainment from local guitarist and mandolin maker Laurie Parnall, as well as humour from Dr Lavinia Byrne who read some of her very amusing poetry - all linked to food!
The event was the brainchild of Dominique Swain, the Regeneration Officer at Mendip District Council who hosted the event alongside Festival organiser Julie Cooper from FAB!
Julie said today: “Dominique came up with the idea some months ago and we were delighted to see so many food lovers taking part in the event. Our three host venues are participating in the Festival and were able to show off some of the great food which is produced here in the Mendips. Dinner was delicious and it was obvious that all our guests had a wonderful evening”.
PRESS RELEASE
12/10/06
FOOD FESTIVAL LAUNCH SUPPORTED BY LOCAL BUSINESSES
The third Mendip Food & Drink Festival was officially launched at Wells on Monday, October 9. Organisers and sponsors gathered at the Swan Hotel to launch the 10-day celebration of local food and drink, which takes place between October 20 and 29.
This year Wells is the official ‘host’ city for the festival, which involves more than 50 venues, including pubs, restaurants, farmers’ markets, farm shops and delicatessens, across the district. The Swan will be holding several events during the festival and head chef Paul Mingo-West and his team will be cooking a special lunch and dinner menu each day.
As well as the major sponsors, Mendip District Council, two local food businesses have come on board to support this year’s festival: Farrington’s Farm Shop and Jon Thorner’s.
Farrington’s Farm Shop at Farrington Gurney has grown from strength to strength since it opened back in 2001, originally with just two staff selling from what used to be the farm dairy.
Now the shop attracts over 4,000 visitors each week from all over the Mendip area and employs more than 40 staff. It also has a café where virtually all the food is home made, with ingredients provided by the farm and established local suppliers.
As farmers themselves, Farrington's owners, Andy and Tish Jeffery, recognise the importance of supporting local enterprise and are delighted by the success of the Mendip Food & Drink Festival.
Andy said: "I think the festival is very important to the local area, to food and drink producers and retailers and to consumers of good food.
“Our aim at Farrington's has always been to sell food produced by as many local farmers and small, specialist suppliers as possible, both in our farm shop and in the cafe.
“We hope that lots of people will take the opportunity that the food festival offers to visit us, have some fun and discover the wealth of top quality local produce that is here."
The farm is run by Andy and has a 200 strong Holstein Friesian dairy herd, which customers can see being milked everyday. The farm also grows a wide variety of vegetables, and its first vegetable fields have just (October 2006) achieved the Soil Association organic standard.
As farm management has moved steadily towards a more organic approach to growing, wildlife has increased significantly. Trailer rides and wildlife walks are available during the festival to give visitors a better idea of how the farm works and an opportunity to see the flora and fauna.
These take place on Saturday, October 28, from 10am to 12.30pm. Places on both these events are strictly limited and children must be over eight, and accompanied by an adult. The cost is £3 and includes a drink in the café. Booking is recommended, call 01761 452266.
Farrington’s is also organising a Vegetable Olympics (Saturday, October 21) Gert Posh Tea (Sunday, October 22) and much more. Visit the festival website for more info, www.mendipfoodfestival.co.uk
Jon Thorner’s, which has shops in Pylle and Street, and at Farrington’s Farm Shop, Farrington Gurney, and White Row, Beckington, is this year’s other major sponsor.
Founded more than 20 years ago as one of the region’s very first farm shops, Jon Thorner’s specialise in supplying locally-reared meat.
As suppliers to over 50 Somerset schools and numerous hotels and restaurants throughout the area, Jon Thorner’s have seen demand for their meat steadily increase.
"Our business is very much rooted in the Mendip area and we have a great relationship with the farmers and businesses who supply us," said Jon.
“Taking a major part in the Mendip Food Festival is a way of promoting the excellent foods that they supply us with and highlighting our passion for fabulous local foods.”
Jon Thorner’s is organising two Family Fun days as part of the Mendip Food Festival and will also be promoting local mutton and a new limited edition Festival Sausage.
The Fun Days take place on Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 29, at Pylle, between 11am and 3pm. There will be free face painting, free tractor rides to a local dairy farm, food tastings, food quiz with £100 prize draw, meat cutting demonstrations, balloons and mini prizes for children. There will also be tastings of Jon Thorner’s limited edition Festival Sausage and the Somerset ‘Mutton Comeback’ launch.
The Mutton Renaissance Club was launched in 2004 by the Prince of Wales to support British sheep farmers struggling to sell their older animals, and to get this delicious meat back on the nation’s dinner table. As part of the Mendip Food Festival, Jon Thorner’s will be promoting the use of local mutton and will have tastings at their shops during the festival. They are also encouraging hotels and restaurants who buy from them to feature it on their menu during the festival.
Mendip District Council chairman Bill MacKay, who sits on the food festival committee, said: “This year the festival is bigger and better than ever. The support of our sponsors is very important; Jon Thorner’s and Farrington’s underline the ethos of the festival, both having their roots in the community and promoting and selling local produce.”
Other festival sponsors include: Old Mill Rural Services; Green Farm/Brittens Best Potatoes; Gaymer Cider Company; Constellation Europe Ltd; Fab!; The Swan Hotel, Wells, and Somerset Food Links.
Art links with agriculture at food festival
A UNIQUE event will take place on Sunday October 29th as part of the 2006 Mendip Food Festival.
Stephen Britten farms at Downhead near Shepton Mallet. He has signed up as one of the sponsors of the Festival which runs this year from October 20 - 29.
Green Farm is a dairy farm which has been in the Britten family for the last five generations. The 300 dairy herd provides milk for Cheddar Cheese and Stephen also has 40 acres down to potatoes.
The event at Green Farm on the last day of the festival brings links the farm's potato production with Shute Farm Studio, based in nearby farm buildings and inspired and run by Stephen's wife Fran.
Shute Farm studio is widely renowned as both a teaching centre for traditional arts, accessible for adults, children and those with special needs. Tuition is given by experienced tutors who are practical artists.
Stephen explains:
"We will be putting on a special potato luncheon on Sunday Oct 29th. On the menu will be recipes using different varieties of potatoes from Green Farm and Jonathan Steele will be preparing the lunch. In addition there will be
an opportunity to look around the studio and accessible garden and try potato printing. Then we will visit the potato store and see the cows being milked. It is a chance to see how art and agriculture blend together at Green Farm.
"There are only 50 places and we will make a charge of £10 a person. This will all go to local charities including Send a Cow and Water Aid"
Call 01749 880746 to book your places for the potato lunch.
Stephen is a self - confessed enthusiastic promoter of Somerset food and one of a diminishing number of Mendip farmers growing potatoes. Green Farm spuds are popular at local farm shops such as Jon Thorner, although the bulk of the farm crop are sold to farmers around the UK as seed potatoes.
"I am pleased to support the festival. We have to bang the drum and shout about local produce and local producers," adds Stephen.
Full details of studio events are on www.shutefarmstudio.org.uk.
The Mendip Food and Drink Festival brings together hotels, pubs, restaurants, as well as food producers to promote the wide variety of food available in the district and show what is grown on local farms.
PRESS RELEASE
Autumn 2006
Don’t be sheepish - bring out the mutton
Jon Thorner teams up with the Prince of Wales campaign
Do you remember the tantalising smell of hearty mutton casserole cooking on the range? Or is it a distant memory? The Mutton Renaissance Club was launched in 2004 by the Prince of Wales to support British sheep farmers who were struggling to sell their older animals, and to get this delicious meat back on the nation’s dinner table. As part of the Mendip Food Festival, Jon Thorner’s are promoting the use of local mutton and will have tastings at their shops during the Festival. They are also encouraging hotels and restaurants who buy from them to feature it on their menu during the Festival.
For hundreds of years, mutton was the staple meat of the British household, considered superior in texture and flavour to lamb. Changes in farming and cooking led to a decline and the virtual disappearance of mutton from our shops. Now with the Prince of Wales, chefs, farmers and a few enlightened butchers the interest in mutton is returning. In fact, in December 2005 mutton was named the “ingredient of the year” by the Independent on Sunday.
Here in Somerset, Jon Thorner, a Guild of Q Butcher, is one of the few local members of the Mutton Renaissance Club, stocking mutton in all his shops and believes its an exciting growth market,
”Not only can mutton be more flavoursome than lamb, its comeback is typical of a more ethical type of farming. This is of course, an increasing concern to many customers.”
You can buy mutton in all of Jon Thorner’s shop at, Pylle, Street Farrington Gurney and Beckington or call on 01749 830138 or visit www.jonthorners.co.uk. For mutton recipe ideas, visit The Renaissance Club website on www.muttonrenaissance.org.uk
News Release
Mendip District Council
Date : Tuesday, August 1, 2006
Reference : 2006G536
Festival sponsors sign up
TWO progressive local food businesses have signed up as major sponsors of the 2006 Mendip Food and Drink Festival.
The Festival brings together hotels, pubs, restaurants, as well as food producers to promote the wide variety of food available in the district and show what is grown on local farms. It takes place from October 20 – 29 across the district.
Mendip District Council Chairman, Bill MacKay is a member of the organizing committee. He said:
“This is wonderful news. Jon Thorner’s and Farrington’s underline the ethos of our Mendip Food and Drink Festival, now in its third year. They both have their roots in the community and promote and sell locally produced food.
Founded over 20 years ago as one of the region’s very first farm shops, Jon Thorner’s specialise in supplying locally reared meat. They have farm shops at Pylle and Street and butchery counters in Farrington’s at Farrington Gurney and Whiterow at Beckington. Families can shop at Jon Thorner’s four shops with complete confidence, knowing that all their meat is of the highest quality and assured provenance - from top quality Mendip beef to succulent free-range pork, local lamb to a complete range of poultry.
They also supply over 50 Somerset schools and numerous hotels and restaurants throughout the area.
Jon Thorner said:
“Issues such as ‘food miles’ and meat provenance have become hot topics recently and it’s great that what we have been saying for years is now more understood and requested by a greater number of shoppers. After all, locally sourced food has so much more to offer – not least better flavour and complete traceability of supply.
“Here in Mendip there is an ever increasing range of locally produced foods and the Festival helps to promote this fact”.
Farrington’s from Farrington Gurney were awarded Farm Retailer of the Year in 2004. The business is the brainchild of dairy farmers Tish and Andy Jeffery. They are the second main sponsor to be announced. They also focus on providing locally-produced, good, wholesome food. Most comes from local suppliers, many of whom are in and around the Mendips.
As well as a proper butchers selling Jon Thorner’s traditionally raised, local meat, the shop offers a comprehensive choice of groceries, dairy produce and locally baked bread. There’s an ever-growing range of delicious home-made soups, salads, ready meals and cakes, together with fresh fruit and veg, including Farrington’s farm-grown vegetables, which have no pesticides applied.
There are a number of other local businesses supporting the Festival. This is the third year that specialist accountants and financial advisers Tenon Rural Services have been involved both as a sponsor and by staging an event. Each year they have put on a meeting aimed at owners of Food Producing, Retailing and Catering businesses in the West Country. These look at the business, financial and in particular tax issues which owners are faced with.
Considerable experience of the sector gives greater understanding which enables real value to be added. This years meeting will be held at 6.30 at The Barn at Trudoxhill near Frome on Wednesday October 25, an early date for Festival go-ers.
Many firms will be taking part with hundreds of special events during the 10 days for local people and visitors to enjoy. Restaurants will put on special menus, local farms have open days, and there is still plenty of time for every local food business to get on board.
More details about how to get involved, please call Ian Laflin or Julie Cooper on 0870 389 3210 or www.mendipfoodfestival.co.uk. It will list all the events. Thousands of leaflets and posters will also be distributed across Mendip during the summer months.
Jon Thorners
Tish & Andy Jeffery of Farringtons
THE MASKED MAYOR OF WELLS !
ALONG with many others, the Mayor of Wells, Councillor Simon Davies will be donning a mask for charity when he hosts a charity ball on Saturday 28th October as part of the third Mendip Food & Drink Festival.
The Ball will take place at The Swan Hotel in Wells and has been inspired by the Mayor himself. Simon Davies particularly wanted to mark his year as Mayor by raising money for local charities and came up with the idea of a masked ball, which would put the fun in fundraising.
The three charities chosen by Simon are the MacMillan Cancer Support, the RUH Bath - Forever Friends Appeal and the Mendip YMCA special housing schemes.
The ball is being organised by local events company FAB! and a committee made up from local businesses in Wells. It will be the final event in this year’s Mendip Food & Drink Festival so as well as a casino and raffle there will be dancing to local band ‘Stressed’ and a delicious dinner of local food generously supported by the Swan Hotel.
Cllr Simon Davies, Mayor of Wells said:
“I particularly wanted to mark my year as Mayor with a fundraising event and a masked ball seemed just the right start. I am hoping that the people of Wells will turn out in force to support the charities and have a great time in the process”.
Sponsors already signed up are the Swan Hotel in Wells, FAB!, Image Print Bristol and Abbas Marquees. Tickets for this black tie event are just £45.00 each and are on sale now. For further information regarding sponsorship or for tickets call FAB! on 0870 389 3210.
News Release
Mendip District Council
Date : Monday, May 22, 2006
Reference : 2006G521
LOCAL business people are calling on everyone in the food industry to get on board and back the third Mendip Food & Drink Festival, which takes place across the district from October 20 – 29.
The Festival was launched at The Swan Hotel, Wells last Friday (May 19th). It brings together hotels, pubs, restaurants, as well as food and drink producers to promote the wide variety of food and drink available in the district and show what is grown on local farms.
Supported by Mendip District Council, the Council Chairman, Bill MacKay welcomed guests, he said:
“Last year there were hundreds of special events for local people and visitors to enjoy during the ten days. Restaurants put on special menus, local farms had open days, there was a hugely successful Farmers Forum and this year we want to have even more events. - If you own or operate any kind of food or drink business in Mendip we need you to get involved, it is an event by the people of Mendip for local residents and visitors to enjoy. Please give us your support.”
Speaking at the launch award-winning farm shop owner Jon Thorner said:
“Last year we sponsored events and had a very successful open day at our Pylle farm shop. We have some superb local suppliers and this festival is all about promoting local produce. This is an event we should all support. ”
Another sponsor is leading accountants Tenon, Jolyon Stonehouse, Tenon managing partner said:
“Many of our clients are in food related businesses and we are delighted to again sponsor the Festival. It is an event that has increased in size year on year, let’s make 2006 an even bigger and better event with more on the menu for people to enjoy.”
Peter Graham of The George Inn, Croscombe and his wife Veryan have led the way with events since the festival started. Peter told guests at the launch that The George would again be alive with the sound of fun and festivity in October.
Terri Chichester is general manager at The Swan, she said:
“We are one hundred percent behind all the festival stands for. We use local produce at this hotel and applaud the fact that Mendip Food & Drink Festival brings together producers and suppliers.”
More details about how to get involved, please call Ian Laflin or Julie Cooper on 0870 389 3210 or watch the website www.mendipfoodfestival.co.uk It will be list all the events.
Leaflets and posters will be displayed across Mendip during the summer months, which will promote the Mendip Food & Drink Festival 2006.
Jon Thorner, Peter Graham, Terri Chichester, The Mayor of Wells, Simon Davies and Jolyon Stonehouse, Tenon MD at the Mendip 2006 Food & Drink Festival launch at The Swan Hotel, Wells.
Encouraging Frome businesses to back the 2006 Mendip Food & Drink Festival, Mendip chairman Bill MacKay with The Mayor of Frome Blanche Farley and David Heath MP
Food & Drink Festivals in Somerset
Discover the array of food and drink that is grown, produced and served in Somerset this October as 3 different festivals celebrate the wide variety of local produce available from within the county. From Farmer’s Markets to fine dining; from tours, talks and tastings to brewery tours and banquets, Somerset has it all!
The South Somerset Food Festival starts the celebration on the 30th September, with Exmoor's begining on 7th October, followed by the Mendip Food & Drink Festival from 20th October. The Festivals will highlight the wide variety of producers in the county; the benefits of seasonal produce; the quality and origins of the food we eat; and most of all, that eating & drinking is fun!
All the Festivals will produce a comprehensive programme of events, available in the late summer. in addition each festival has their own dedicated websites.
South Somerset Food Festival 30th September – 8th October www.southsomersetfoodfestival.com
01935 845946
Exmoor Food Festival 7th – 15th October
www.exmoorfoodfestival.co.uk
01458 241401
Mendip Food & Drink Festival 20th – 29th October
www.mendipfoodfestival.co.uk
0870 389 3210