Thousands flock to food fest and it isn’t over yet

Christchurch one of the best towns for good food in the South

The perfect early summer weather brought food lovers in their tens of thousands to the International Food Market in Christchurch at the weekend.

Forming part of the town’s 10th annual Food and Wine Festival, visitors browsed a huge variety of food and drink stalls and visited the Rangemaster Cookery Theatre for demonstrations from celebrity and local chefs.

The festival got off to a great start with the final of the Junior Cook of the Year competition, performed in front of an audience and judged by Lesley Waters, Tim Lloyd from the Captain’s Club and Vee Young, President of Christchurch Rotary Club, the sponsors of the competition.

The winner was Ashley Best from the Grange School who cooked seared tuna with asparagus and oven baked chips. Louis Despres from Twynham School came second with Sam Wiles from Highcliffe School and Jack Thorpe from Twynham School the runners up.

The final of the primary schools competition to design a representation of a healthy meal on a plate was won jointly by George Hall from Burton School and Tom Haines from the Priory School. Katie French from the Priory School came second with Ruby Waltham from Mudeford Junior School in third place.

Celebrity chefs Lesley Waters and Gary Rhodes provided cookery demonstrations which were packed out, as were entertaining demonstrations by Chris and James Tanner.

One of the more unusual demonstrations was by the cocktail barmen from the Captain’s Club who organised a ‘Bar Wars’ competition between men and women who had to reproduce cocktails which they had been shown by the barmen. The overall winner was Laura Ecclestone.

The festival’s president, Mary Reader, said: “The festival really goes from strength to strength and this year was the busiest yet. We had an excellent programme of cookery demonstrations and the market had the most interesting selection of food and drink that we’ve ever had.

“I’m really grateful to all of the volunteers and all of our sponsors who helped to make the weekend such a success.

“Of course the festival isn’t over yet as it continues in restaurants, cafes, pubs and tea shops right through this week until next Sunday so I hope people will take advantage of this and visit some of our local businesses.

“I’m sure that the festival does a lot of good for Christchurch and I believe it has contributed to Christchurch being one of the best towns for good food in the South.”