The best of East Devon’s food and drink will be on show next weekend as Ottery prepares to host its sixth Food and Families Festival.
Last year, an estimated 4,000 people attended the event, which will again feature a number of live cooking demonstrations, stalls, children’s activities and evening entertainment.
The festival committee held an official launch day at the Deer Park Hotel last week, welcoming some of the chefs who will be hosting demos on Saturday, June 2.
The event starts at 10am, with road closures in place in Broad Street between 8am and 5pm.
Tina Chauhan-Challis, a co-founder of the festival, said: “It’s about highlighting our small town and small businesses.
“It’s all very well having a big festival but you do not actually highlight the small businesses.”
The event is not-for-profit with proceeds put towards the cost of next year’s festival and various causes around the town.
Set to appear at this year’s event are students from The King’s School; South African chef Bruce Cole; the Pig at Combe’s head chef Daniel Gavriilidis; Christopher Piper; and two-time South West Home Cook of the Year Sue Stoneman.
The Deer Park Hotel is also sending two of its young chefs, including former Ottery student Ffion Gallantree and Kayla Turvey, who recently won the prestigious Chaine de Rotisseurs’ GB Chef of the Year award.
Ottery St Mary Silver Band will begin proceedings at 9.45am ahead of the opening of the festival’s main marquee in Sainsbury’s car park at 10am.
There is a dedicated music stage with performances throughout the day, including the return of the Rhythm of Life Choir at 5.30pm, ahead of the start of the ‘Caribbean night’-themed entertainment which will run until 10pm.
Families will also be able to enjoy the food and a range of activities with events around the town, including face-painting between 2pm and 5pm at Tickety Boo.
Ottery’s WI will be running a cream tea stall in The Institute, where youngsters can take part in a number of craft activities and science experiments, including making candy floss and slime.
Ottery Library has a reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar at 11am.
For more information, pick up a free programme in the town.
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