Thousands of foodies will head to Narberth this weekend (September 28 and 29) for an event which has established itself as a highlight in Wales’ gastronomic calendar.

Narberth Food Festival was founded 21 years ago as a showcase for local food and drink and this year’s event on September 28th and 29th is no exception.

Festival chair Colin Russell said that the five discounted stall allocations for new businesses - among more than 50 producers who will be attending the event - had all been taken up for the first time. 

“We are delighted to provide a shop window for such a diverse range of amazing food producers,’’ he said.

“The Festival is a wonderful addition to the fabric of our town, we are really proud of the fact that it is still going strong after 21 years thanks to support from Pembrokeshire residents, visitors and independent businesses.’’

Visitors can expect wonderful Welsh produce, inspirational chefs, exciting culinary activities for all the family and great music.

Narberth Food Festival remains a not for profit organisation with any surplus ploughed back into the event.

The Festival is very much a family event therefore there will be plenty of brilliant activities for children too.

“Huge numbers of families will join us for the weekend and as they feast on local food and drink they can also enjoy free entertainment,’’ says Festival chair Colin Russell.

As well as family mindfulness play, children can try their hand at Nordic braiding with string and wood, crafting beeswax food wraps and making mandalas, a form of Buddhist art, with food and natural resources.

An inspirational line-up of chefs and other big names in the world of food will lead culinary workshops, demonstrations and masterclasses at this year’s Narberth Food Festival.

The Festival has earned a reputation for its progressive chefs’ demonstrations and masterclasses and this year in no exception.

As well as some new names, there will be chefs and food experts at the very top of their game, to delight and entertain with cookery demonstrations, tips and tasters.

This year’s line-up includes Welsh baker and Bake-Off star Jon Jenkins who loves trying out new ideas and unique creations and will demonstrate his baking and decorating skills.

Lisa Fearn, a Carmarthenshire girl who established the gardening and cookery school, The Pumpkin Patch, at Allt y Gog Farm, Felin-wen, has taught thousands of children – and their parents - to grow and cook their own food.

Lisa has a great interest in the social power of food. “I love the outdoors, gardening and cooking,’’ she says.

Angela Gray has worked prolifically in the food world, starting her career as a personal chef working in Europe and North America, and opening the doors to her cookery school at Llanerch Vineyard nine years ago.

Angela, who is the patron of the Narberth Food Festival, will share her knowledge, skills and anecdotes.

There will be a fermentation workshop led by Lucy Davies, a naturopathic nutritionist who will show visitors how to make foods including kombucha, probiotic ginger and turmeric root beer and raw chocolate and superfood truffles. 

Chef and forager Matt Powell, of Pembroke-based Fishing and Foraging Wales, will show off his cooking knowledge and skills in incorporating seasonal foraged foods from land, sea and shore into his recipes.

The line-up also includes Orsola Muscia, an Italian chef based at Llanmill, Narberth.

Orsola, known as ‘The Tailor Made Chef’ says: “My creations start from food which needs to be used up and from my endless desire to create new flavours.’’

Vic North, a food writer and cook, will share recipes to compliment her new range of kitchen clothing designed for women cooks and chefs.

Delicious food is not the only treat on offer at this year’s Narberth Food Festival.

Alongside amazing global cuisine, festival goers can enjoy a packed line-up of music and entertainment with a stellar line up of local artists.

Homegrown talent will be at the festival’s fore, with folk singers, The Vagrants Crew, headlining on Saturday evening.

They will be joined by other local performers on Saturday, including Llangwm Village Voices, Caper Ceilidh, Davey Jones & Thomas Crimble and The Llewellin Duo.

Sunday’s entertainment kicks off with The Daisychain followed by performances later in the day from the Carmarthen Ukuleles, harpist Harriet Earis and Cor Dysgwyr Sir Benfro.

MUSIC STAGE -

SATURDAY

Compere: Malcolm Cawley of Pure West Radio

11.30 - 12.30 Llangwm Village Voices

12.45 - 1.45 Caper Ceilidh

2.00 - 3.00   Davey Jones & Thomas Crimble

3.15 - 4.15 The Llewellin Duo

4.30 - 6.00 The Vagrants Crew

MUSIC STAGE –

SUNDAY

Compere: Malcolm Cawley of Pure West Radio

11.15am-12.15pm The Daisychain

12.30pm - 1.30pm Carmarthen Ukuleles     

1.45pm - 2.45pm Harriet Earis

3pm – 4pm Cor Dysgwyr Sir Benfro