Set in the spectacular Walled Gardens of Holkham Hall, the North Norfolk Food & Drink Festival (NNF&DF) is continuing to grow as one of the most, if not the best, food and drink festivals, celebrating local produce.
A two-day event, held this year on the 3rd & 4th September, it's being visited by thousands of people from far and wide, as a foodie, it's a sight I love to see.
With 60 food and drink producers, you are absolutely spoilt for choice, with most offering generous amounts of tasters and samples, you're guaranteed to leave with plenty of goodies (and feeling very full!).
The Food Court is an even more welcome addition for me - an area to enjoy some lovely food and drink, enjoy the scenery and take a breather.
A really interesting part of this festival, is the Cookery Theatre, where a selection of producers, sponsors and other business owners, showing off their culinary skills and delights. This is a brilliant way of seeing some great ideas, tips and tricks for your own cookery at home and how to use some of your purchases from the festival.
As a lover of food and drink, I could easily talk about every producer I visited on the Saturday, but I would be here a very long time, so here are a few of my personal favourites!
Candi's Chutney
The passion Candi has about her brand is awe-inspiring, from the importance of her 'lid popping', to the authenticity of her recipes, you really can't meet anyone who loves chutney more than Candi. The variety of products are outstanding, but what makes them that bit more special, is the fact her ingredients are sourced as locally possible - Candi really cares about keeping things local!
One of the things I love about her chutney, is that she offers suggestions on how to use them. At the NNF&DF, she did a demonstration in the Cookery Theatre... Here are a couple of her suggestions;
A two-day event, held this year on the 3rd & 4th September, it's being visited by thousands of people from far and wide, as a foodie, it's a sight I love to see.
With 60 food and drink producers, you are absolutely spoilt for choice, with most offering generous amounts of tasters and samples, you're guaranteed to leave with plenty of goodies (and feeling very full!).
The Food Court is an even more welcome addition for me - an area to enjoy some lovely food and drink, enjoy the scenery and take a breather.
A really interesting part of this festival, is the Cookery Theatre, where a selection of producers, sponsors and other business owners, showing off their culinary skills and delights. This is a brilliant way of seeing some great ideas, tips and tricks for your own cookery at home and how to use some of your purchases from the festival.
As a lover of food and drink, I could easily talk about every producer I visited on the Saturday, but I would be here a very long time, so here are a few of my personal favourites!
Candi's Chutney
The passion Candi has about her brand is awe-inspiring, from the importance of her 'lid popping', to the authenticity of her recipes, you really can't meet anyone who loves chutney more than Candi. The variety of products are outstanding, but what makes them that bit more special, is the fact her ingredients are sourced as locally possible - Candi really cares about keeping things local!
One of the things I love about her chutney, is that she offers suggestions on how to use them. At the NNF&DF, she did a demonstration in the Cookery Theatre... Here are a couple of her suggestions;
- Spiced Carrot Chutney - Use in a stir fry!
- Hot Pow Wow Chutney - Lovely as a base for bruschetta!
Here's a couple of my own suggestions;
- Beetroot and Juniper Chutney - Reduce down and use as a glaze for game (lovely with venison).
- Norfolk Pickled Samphire - Finely chop and use in a tartar sauce!
www.candischutney.vpweb.co.uk
Winbirri
Anybody that knows me, knows I love wine... However, English wine is always at the bottom of my list of favourites... Until today!
Winbirri, unlike a lot of English wine producers, grow their grapes in England, and this is why their wines have an outstanding flavour and have won multiple awards.
My favourite wines were;
- Norfolk Pink 2014 Dry Rose English Wine - Blush pink in colour, sweet berries on the nose and a crisp, fruity palette. Perfect on it's own, or with tapas.
- Bacchus 2014 Dry White English Wine - The 'English Sauvignon Blanc Grape', a distinct citrus nose, tropical fruit on the palette and a clean finish. Perfect with seafood.
- Winbirri Pinot Noir - My favourite! Whilst still having depth, this red still is light and refreshing. Red berries both on the nose and palette. I tried this with Asian food and it went very well!
www.winbirri.com
Norfolk Saffron
Saffron is a very difficult thing to get right - without going into the science of it too much, saffron is graded - and Norfolk Saffron have obtained the highest grade for international saffron! The quality of this saffron, isn't just in the grading of it; they only sell in tact strands, they have absolutely no air miles and they use the saffron from the most recent crops - giving you the best flavour.
They sell saffron as it is, smoked saffron, saffron flour and saffron liqueur, but to name a few! My favourite product is definitely the liqueur! Here are a few ideas to use their products;
- Smoked Saffron - Use in a paella!
- Saffron Flour - Use it in an orange and polenta cake.
- Saffron and Orange Liqueur - Pour over ice cream.
www.norfolksaffron.co.uk
Macaron Bliss
Rhonda from Macaron Bliss, is possibly the Queen of Macarons! With multiple flavours, from traditional Rose, to a more unusual Salted Caramel, there is a flavour for everyone to enjoy. The macarons are also gluten free, making them a great alternative. The beauty of the macarons, is that they are incredibly sweet, meaning that a little goes a long way (although they're so delicious you will want more!)
Here were my top three favourite flavours, and some pairing suggestions;
- Pitaschio - My favourite macaron flavour anyway, but Rhonda has made it even more delicious. This would go well with Belvior Elderflower and Rose Lemonade.
- Salted Caramel - A perfect balance of salt in the caramel to cut through the sweetness of a traditional macaron. Would go perfectly with a strong coffee.
- Cherry and Dark Chocolate Ganache - Sweet cherry, bitter chocolate, what a winning combination. This would go great with a vanilla latte.
www.macaronbliss.co.uk
Kettle Chips (Kettle Foods)
Kettle Chips are an instantly recognisable brand, most of us have bought some, eaten some, shared some and enjoyed some... But did you know they are based in Norfolk? Launched in 1988, near the homes of their potato producers and suppliers, Kettle Foods started producing their chips.
They started as a small brand, but after bringing on board a chef, sourcing the finest ingredients and producing award-winning flavour combinations, they are now the famous brand we recognise today!
They have not only been an active player in the consumer market, but they have also helped small business owners with guidance and played an important role in charity fundraising. One of my favourite things about their pitch at NNF&DF, was the 'create your flavour' station; for a small donation, you're given multiple choices of flavours, pick three, they'll coat their chips with your seasoning, cook them for you and you receive your own flavoured chips! I also learnt so much about Kettle Chips, the people you speak to at their pitch, are so enthusiastic, and I left their pitch feeling like I was a brand ambassador for them!
www.kettlefoods.co.uk
Anna's Hand Made Fudge
The name of Anna's business is relatively self explanatory, but it really doesn't tell you how awesome her fudge is! Hand made, gluten and coeliac intolerant friendly and available in over thirty flavours, there will be a flavour for everyone!
My favourite three flavours were;
- Turkish Delight - Rich Turkish delight flavour, in a creamy piece of fudge!
- Clotted Cream - Taking the already amazingly creamy fudge, and making it richer, creamier and even more moreish!
- Cherry Brandy - With the alcoholic hit from the brandy, you cut through some of the richness in the fudge, whilst the cherry gives it a gorgeous sweet flavour!
www.annashandmadefudge.blogspot.co.uk
Arthur Howell
Since they founded in 1889, Arthur Howell has grown in reputation, accolades, customer base and services. Starting as a butchery and game meat dealer, they are now known for much more, including their deli, bakery and fishmongers. They really are a true example, of a local, family business with a loyal customer base, who genuinely care about their products, from start to finish.
I really couldn't do a list of my favourites, because I'd be here far too long, but I would recommend you visit them and buy one of everything!
www.arthurhowell.com
Creake Abbey
My picture from NNF&DF of Creake Abbey's stall, is just a small slice of the delicacies they offer. They take great care in sourcing the finest produce, both locally and across the world, to sell in their Food Hall and serve in their cafe. Creake Abbey also produce their own products, such as jams, pickles, homemade cakes and so much more. Their award winning farmers market is held monthly and is definitely worth a visit - with 50 of the regions best food and drink producers, there is something for everyone (take a look at my blog post about their amazing farmers market). They really are pioneers when it comes to sourcing and serving the best!
www.creakeabbey.co.uk
The Holkham Estate
To round off my post about the NNF&DF, I feel it's only right to talk about the Holkham Estate. I couldn't tell you every single food and drink product they produce or contribute toward the production, they are so involved in food and drink, it's only right that the NNF&DF is held on their grounds. You are likely to have eaten, drunk, bought and gifted something with Holkham produce in... Here's some interesting food and drinks facts about Holkham;
- They supply around 50% of the malting barley that is used in the brewing and distilling at Adnams... Their barley also goes into the making of the honeycombed centres of Malteasers!
- Their sugar beet enters the food chain as granulated sugar... Known to us as 'Silver Spoon'!
- They grow a lot of potatoes, some of which go to the major supermarkets, so you've probably eaten some!
www.holkham.co.uk