Enjoy a Taste of the Mendips

06 October 2006

Apple crushing, farm tours, pumpkin carving and a 'Gert Posh Tea' are just some of the events aimed at families taking place during this year's Mendip Food and Drink Festival (October 20 - 29).

This is the third Mendip Food and Drink Festival, celebrating the array of food and drink grown, produced and served in the area.

There are over 50 venues, including pubs, restaurants, farmers' markets, farm shops and delicatessens, involved, many offering new dishes, special menus, new products and tastings.

The festival is sponsored by Mendip District Council; Jon Thorner's, which has shops in Pylle and Street, and Farrington's Farm Shop, Farrington Gurney.

Mendip District Council chairman Bill MacKay, who sits on the food festival committee, said: "I am delighted that this year the festival is bigger and better than ever. The support of our sponsors has been hugely important in growing the festival - Jon Thorner's and Farrington's underline the ethos of the festival, both having their roots in the community and promoting and selling local produce.

"This year the festival coincides with half-term, and I am delighted to see so many events aimed at families and children. It is so important that children understand where their food and drink comes from and start to appreciate good food at an early age.

"I really hope as many people as possible get involved and attend some of the events."

Some of the events suitable for families and children are:

Mendip Buffalo at West Cranmore is offering farm, dairy and cheese-making tours throughout the festival, plus a chance to sample and buy the farm's produce. Booking is essential, contact 01749 880221.

Chocolate lovers are in for a treat at Chocolate on Chocolate in Rode. Throughout the festival, visitors will be able to see chocolates being made by hand, get to taste them and then visit the new shop. Open 9-5pm, Monday to Saturday. Tel 01373 830013 for more details.

Saturday October 21 sees a Vegetable Olympics at Farrington's Farm Shop. This free event will feature games and family competitions with prizes, and with 'Posh Sausage Hot Dogs' for sale.

On the same day (Saturday October 21) there is a Family Fun Day at Jon Thorner's, Pylle, between 11am and 3pm. There will be free face painting, free tractor rides to a local dairy farm, food tastings, food quiz with £100 prize draw, meat cutting demonstrations, balloons and mini prizes for children. There will also be tastings of John Thorner's limited edition Festival Sausage and the Somerset 'Mutton Comeback' launch.

Sunday October 22, at 3pm, sees a 'Gert Posh Tea' at Farrington's Café, with home-made cakes, scones, sandwiches, etc, all made using locally produced ingredients. The cost is £8.95.

Wednesday October 25 sees a Children's Fun Afternoon at Farrington's Farm Shop, starting at 2pm, and involving decorating homemade cakes and gingerbread men, apple bobbing, pumpkin carving and a Halloween competition. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

There will be Apple Crushing at Frome Wholefoods on Wednesday October 25 and Friday October 27. Visitors are invited to either come along to watch or bring along their own apples to make juice.

Friday October 27 also sees Mendip Moments ice-cream tasting at Farrington's Farm Shop.

Farrington's Farm Shop is offering a trailer ride around the farm on Saturday October 28, from 10am to 12.30pm. This will give people an opportunity to see how farming and ecological issues are handled on the farm.
Or for those who prefer to take things a bit more slowly there is a Wildlife Walk taking place at the same time, which will look at the wealth of flora and fauna around the farm. Places on both these events are strictly limited and children must be over eight, and accompanied by an adult. The cost is £3 and includes a drink in the café. Booking is recommended, call 01761 452266.

The same day sees a Taste of the Mendips Family Fun Day at The George Inn, Croscombe. The event will raise money for the Mendip Multiple Sclerosis Society and will include an apple-pie bake-off, treasure hunt, dog show, and face painting. For those who fancy themselves as the next Gordon Ramsay, there will also be a Ready Steady Cook competition. Entry is £10 with proceeds to charity - but you must register by October 20. Contact The George Inn, Croscombe 01749 342306

The Mendip Potato Lunch takes place on Sunday October 29, at Green Farm, Downhead, near Shepton Mallet. This event links the farm's potato production with Shute Farm Studio, an on-farm art studio. Those attending will have a chance to see the dairy herd being milked, do some potato printing and enjoy a special lunch featuring the farm's produce. This takes place between 12.30 and 3pm, but there are only 50 places so booking is essential. The cost is £10 per person with proceeds to local charities including Send a Cow and Water Aid. Telephone 01749 880412 to book.

A Family Fun Day at Jon Thorner's, Pylle, also takes place on Sunday October 29, between 11am and 3pm. There will be a Family Food Knowledge Quiz with £100 prize draw, free face painting and tractor rides to the local dairy farm, meat cutting demonstration, tastings, balloons and mini prizes for children.

Other festival sponsors include: Old Mill Rural Services; Green Farm/Brittens Best Potatoes; Gaymer Cider Company; Constellation Europe Ltd; Fab!; The Swan Hotel, Wells, and Somerset Food Links.

Last Updated

12 October 2006

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Page last updated on 12 October 2006