Food and drink

The Wokingham Food and Drink Festival returns to Elms Field this weekend
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Wokingham Food and Drink Festival this weekend

By Victoria Corbett
August 26, 2010

Wokingham chefs are preparing for their stint in the spotlight at this year’s Food and Drink Festival.

Seasoned demonstrators who have been with the festival since the beginning will be returning to the stage with recipe ideas.

These will be joined by new faces, including a chef with a coveted Michelin star, to offer their top tips for being a legend in the kitchen.

However, there are plenty more reasons to visit the festival this year, with a whole host of exhibitors showcasing food from around the globe and local restaurants and producers offering a taste of their finest.

The fun will not stop when the sun goes down, as bands and performers will be taking to the stage to keep the festival atmosphere going until late.

Organisers of the festival have excelled themselves with this year’s line-up of demonstrators, exhibitors and performers to create a great weekend for all. Neil Bardo, of Cantley House Hotel’s restaurant Milton’s in Milton Road, is back for another year to showcase his cooking talents.

He will be demonstrating at various times over the weekend, cooking with local ingredients such as Barkham Blue cheese and presenting dishes such as spicy chicken wings. Returning for his second year at the festival is Angelo Colao from Ruchetta in Rose Street. He will be showing visitors how to create a mouth-watering Italian dish.

New to the stage is Ryan Simpson, who is chef and proprietor of Orwells in Shiplake. He was awarded a Michelin star while at The Goose restaurant in Britwell Salome earlier this year.

Orwells is a new venture for him with business partner Liam Trotman. Ryan will be presenting some seasonal dishes and revealing the behind-the-scenes techniques and secrets involved in producing star quality cuisine.

There will be also be a whole host of flavours to discover at the festival’s exhibitor and restaurant marquees, as well as dotted about on stalls.

Exhibitors include Ascot Ales, an award-winning microbrewery based in Camberley, Loch Fyne, a seafood restaurant in Wokingham, and Gastro Nicks Ltd, a supplier of fine foods and wines sourced from small producers.

Festival visitors can get a taste of food and drink from around the world, with Thai noodles, cupcakes, olives, olive oils and French crepes among the goodies in store.

The festival will be open from 9am to 6pm for food, drink and music on Saturday and then from 10am to 5pm on the Sunday. Tickets are on sale for £2 for daytime entry in advance from the website, or £2.50 on the day, or for £4 for evening entry in advance, or £5 on the gate. Visit www.wokinghamfestival.co.uk.

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Very dissapointed, with the number of stalls and the whole event. Why did the organisors charge for the event when its supposed to be a community event. This event was far better when run by the town council and the town centre manager.

forkin, wokingham
31/08/2010 at 22:48

I too found this really dissapointing. Not much on display and managed to look at all the stalls within about 15 minutes. Oh, and had a nice burnt hotdog for £3.50!.

I think the £2.50 charge was a bit steep for what was there. Shall not go back next year.

Scotty12, Bracknell
31/08/2010 at 13:56

I thought the festival was disappointing. The selection of meals available seemed to be smaller than last year. The bar was also better when the Redan ran it last year.

OK it didn't cost too much for tickets, but last year it was free, and better. What was the entry money spent on. other than the fence?