If you are lucky enough to live in a town or city that makes the effort to put on great foodie events for you, you go, right? The people of beautiful Bedford turned up en masse last weekend for the second annual Taste Bedford food festival. I cannot thank the team at Taste and BedPop for asking me to host The Food Stage – I had the best time, as I hope that these cheeky iPhone pics will show!
All pictures taken by my official photographer, Chris White, the wonderful man who holds my phone and feeds me.
The crowds packed the Food Theatre and the weather was nice enough for a small gathering to watch from outside too!
Our running order for the day. Packed full of local talent and a GBBO favourite!
Hostess with the mostess! Wearing the Brette dress by Collectif (click for details)
Watching Phil Fanning, Head Chef and Owner of Paris House in Woburn at work
There’s always time for a photo opportunity with Julia and Erica from The Bedford Clanger
I should explain; The Bedford Clanger is not just a bizarre pastry that is savoury in one end and sweet at the other, it is also our local rag. The free paper is jam-packed full of articles about the amazing events and all that this wonderful town has to offer. It is put together by Julia Course Crofts and Erica Roffe and I love leafing through its pages in our many independent coffee shops. You can also read it online by clicking here.
A real dream team! Anne Harnan (our amazing home economist), Erica Roffe and Julia Course Crofts from The Bedford Clanger joined in on a photo with Phil Fanning and me.
Dan Capp, Head Chef at The Knife & Cleaver brought a delicious fish dish and General Manager, Kirsty Austin who told us all about the amazing events that are held in this beautiful country pub. Gin tasting garden party anyone?
GBBO favourite Howard Middleton brought the laughs… not only when trying to figure out the kitchen tech!
The crowd loved hearing about Howard’s experience in that famous GBBO tent.
I can also confirm that Howard’s Swiss Roll skills are exemplary! Not one single crack in a perfectly rolled gluten-free sponge.
This is Chris’ favourite photo from the day. It does rather sum up the delightful silliness of Howard Middleton! We did giggle.
Did I not tell you that the sponge was perfect? That strawberry rose too!
Jon Aylard of The Embankment Hotel cooked up Woburn Venison and fed the hungry crowd.
You know how much I love a chef selfie! Click on any of my amazing friends from Taste Bedford to check out their place and drool over their menu.
Phil Fanning, Head Chef & Owner of Paris House, Woburn – Bedfordshire’s best fine dining restaurant. Click for details.
Dan Capp, Head Chef at The Knife & Cleaver – a classic British pub set in the beautiful village of Houghton Conquest. Click for details.
GBBO Series 4 Contestant. Howard Middleton. His first book ‘Delicious Gluten Free Baking’ is available now. Click for details.
Mark Hollings, Head Chef at The Old Queen’s Head in Penn – a delightful country pub that’s as full of charm and character as it’s Head Chef! Click for details.
Jon Aylard, Head Chef at The Embankment Hotel, Bedford – set on the river, this hotel and pub/restaurant is the perfect setting for both riverside alfresco and winter ensconcing. I adore their open fires and mulled wine at Christmas! Click for details.
I’ll be back on the road with Foodies Festival in Birmingham this weekend. If this is a little more local for you, come on down to Cannon Hill Park where we will be cooking up a storm from Friday 22nd until Sunday 24th June.
No, we do not have screens to show the England football game. I know that this will upset some and delight others! It’s a football-free zone, filled with amazing food. Sounds like heaven to me!
Stay gorgeous!
Cxx
