This year’s St Albans Food & Drink Festival runs from Wednesday 26 September to Sunday 7 October. This is your opportunity to enjoy 12 days of delicious food and drink throughout the district.
See cookery demonstrations, visit cheese and wine tastings and beer festivals, hear live music, and enjoy fabulous food and drink at great prices. There are bargains to be had at local pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars including buy-one-get-one-free offers, 25% off offers and complimentary wine when dining.
The Festival kicks off with the St Albans CAMRA Beer Festival at the Alban Arena from Wednesday 26 to Saturday 29 September. There are up to 350 beers and 60 ciders on offer.
The Gourmet Night on Monday 1 October from 7pm is a fabulous cookery demonstration by chefs from two of the city’s Good Food Guide listed restaurants. The event is held in aid of the Iain Rennie Grove House Hospice.
Don’t miss the colourful Festival Finale in St Peter’s Street on Sunday 7 October from 10am to 4pm. There are dozens of stalls selling delicious food from all over the world, plus live music entertainment. Local chefs will also be cooking live for the crowds at the outdoor AGA Rangemaster cookery theatre.
This week is the last opportunity to vote for your favourite venue or producer in the Food & Drink Festival Awards. Vote for your favourite restaurant, bar, pub, café, family friendly venue, local producer and ‘local gem’. Voting ends 6pm on Sunday 30 September. This is also the deadline to vote in the Kate D’Arcy Award for Exceptional Customer Service, a reward recognising an individual’s excellence.
Winners of all the awards will be announced at the Award Ceremony at St Michael’s Manor on Thursday 4 October.
For more information about the event, pick up a brochure at the Tourist & Information Centre and participating venues or visit www.stalbansfoodanddrink.com. You can also join our Facebook page or email foodanddrinkfestival@stalbans.gov.uk to join the mailing list.
Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism at the Council commented. “The St Albans Food and Drink Festival is a great opportunity for people to sample the delights of our local cafes and restaurants. You can also vote for your favourite venues and producers across the district. Make sure you get your Awards votes in by Sunday 30 September.”
Councillor contact:
Cllr Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism at St Albans City and District Council, Tel: 07956 220264
Contact for the media:
Claire Wainwright, Principal Communications and Marketing Officer, St Albans City and District Council, Tel: 01727 819572
E-mail: claire.wainwright@stalbans.gov.uk
Notes for editors:
The Finalists in the St Albans Food & Drink Festival 2012 Awards are:
Best Local Restaurant
Darcy’s
L’Italiana
Lussmanns
The Foragers at the Verulam Arms
The Lake at St Michael’s Manor
Veer Dhara
Best Bar
Bar 62
Mokoko
The Black Lion Inn
The Peahen
The Slug and Lettuce
The Snug Bar
Best Pub
The Blacksmiths Arms
The Boot
The Cricketers, Redbourn
The Holly Bush, Potters Crouch
White Hart Tap
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Best Local Café
Bakehouse St Albans
Blueberry Café, Harpenden
Inn on the Park
Secret Garden Cafe
Soko Coffee
The Abbot’s Kitchen
Most Family Friendly Venue
Bakehouse St Albans
Inn on the Park
L’Italiana
Secret Garden Cafe
The Abbot’s Kitchen
The Blue Anchor
Local Gem
Dixies Cupcakery
Heaven is a Cupcake
Jays Delicatessen
Sweet Lily
The Local Kitchen
The Pudding Stop
Best Local Producer
Carpenters Nursery
Childwickbury Goats Cheese
Hawkswick Lodge Farm
Hedges Farm
Redbournbury Mill
That Little Brewery, Harpenden