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| Broughton Buffalos |
There is no sincerer love than the love of food."
If you agree with playwright George Bernard Shaw's sentiments, then Hampshire is the place for you to be next month.
The county will be a food-lovers' paradise throughout July thanks to the Hampshire Food Festival.
The festival, which has expanded this year to fill the entire month, is packed with food and farming events, celebrating the finest food and drink in the area.
There are an impressive 120 different events being held across the county, including a water buffalo walk, New Forest deer safari, chocolate and jam master classes, a New Forest walk and local cheese supper, farm walks, tours around a mushroom farm, herb nursery, kitchen gardens, beer festivals and heritage events.
This year's festival celebrates the Year of Food and Farming and there will be plenty of chances for children to get in on the fun, exploring farms, meeting animals and taste some local food.
The festival also incorporates the New Forest and Hampshire County Show, the Alton Agricultural Show and Whitchurch Food Festival.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who bought a home in the county last year, is backing the festival. In the foreword to the festival guide, he writes: "As a chef, it is important to me to seek out quality produce, sourced locally and in tune with the seasons wherever possible.
"We should be proud of our local produce and make the most of the food and drink that is produced on our doorstep."
Highlights include Rose Elliot, the Hampshire-based vegetarian food writer, cooking an Asian Sensation at Gosport Discovery Centre.
Celebrity chef and Ready Steady Cook presenter Ainsley Harriott will be giving cookery demonstrations at Basingstoke's Festival Place where there will also be local produce stalls.
Many local restaurants, hotels and pubs will also be taking part by serving Hampshire menus and celebration dinners.
You can choose an event to take part in which suits your level of interest in food, its production and consumption.
Those who like to roll up their sleeves and possibly get a little muddy are sure to enjoy the Lyburn Cheese and Vegetable Tours at the farm in Landford near Salisbury.
You can take an evening tour of the farm by tractor and trailer before sitting down to a cheese supper. Those who definitely want to get their hands dirty may want to sign up to a one-day organic gardening course at Beech Farm, Lyminghton.
At the other end of the scale, Champneys in Liphook is holding a Food and Pamper Experience. You can watch Champney's chef turn locally-sourced produce into healthy dishes and stay on afterwards to enjoy the spa facilities.
Chocolate fans - and who isn't one - are definitely well catered for. Award-winning chocolatier Julie Handford is holding a chocolate masterclass which will include making truffles, lollipops, decorations and dipped chocolates. There are also chocolate craft workshops, Chocolate From Bean to Bar at Le Salon du Chocolat which offers a complete chocolate experience, chocolate-making demonstrations and a chocolate talk.
If you're more interested in eating food than where it came from the Summer Jazz Garden Party, being held at Lainston House, could be for you. With a glass of Pimms, a live band, hog roast and traditional British games it's sure to be great fun.
It is hoped that the Hampshire Food Festival will increase awareness among the public and trade of the wide range of local produce available.
It is sponsored by Hampshire County Council and the South East England Development Agency, with support from Newsquest Media (Southern), the South East England Food Group and corporate partners Ecover UK Ltd, Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons, Fuller Smith and Turner PLC and Wave 105FM.
Visit hampshirefare.co.uk for details.
5:17pm Wednesday 11th June 2008
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