There are tastes and treats galore in store at the annual Narberth Food Festival on September 23 and 24.

The popular event’s lively menu of food and fun has earned it the reputation of the friendliest food festival in Wales.

Live entertainment, guest chefs, a pop-up cookery school, a gin masterclass and children’s activities added to the mix alongside food, glorious food on over 50 stalls, make Narberth Food Festival a great event for foodies, fun-lovers and families alike.

The event’s Food Theatre features an exciting cast of chefs, including insect cookery champion, Andy Holcroft from Grub Kitchen, St Davids and festival patron Angela Gray, serving up recipes from her new seasonal book series.

And festival-goers can also book in to make Big Bangers and find out the secrets of Spice World in the pop-up cookery school with Angela and former festival chairman Jackie Palit.

Added Angela: “Narberth Food Festival is very special to me.

“I love the people, the town with all its fabulous shops and the community support there.

“There is such a feast of activities on offer; local people are so welcoming and there’s a real buzz in the air.”

SAMPLE IT ALL FOR YOURSELF!

Narberth Food Festival is open from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday September 23 and 10am-4pm on Sunday September 24.

Admission is £4 on the Saturday, £3 on the Sunday or £5 for a weekend ticket. Under 18s free. Pop-up cookery school and gin masterclass bookable on the day, £5.

For more information, see inside this Observer advertising feature, or visit www.narberthfoodfestival.com

GRUB’S UP AT NARBERTH FOOD FESTIVAL

If you’d like to learn how to casserole a cricket or grill a grasshopper, then Narberth Food Festival is the place to be!

Andy Holcroft of Grub Kitchen, St Davids, will be presenting insect-based cuisine – including bug burger bites – in the event’s Food Theatre.

Andy, who recently featured in the BBC documentary The Bug Grub Couple, with his partner, Sarah Beynon of Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm, hails creepy-crawlies as the new superfood and says: “We want to turn insect-eating from novelty to normalcy”.

Festival patron Angela Gray is really looking forward to serving up tastes of food from her new seasonal book series, which will be on sale at the event. Summer and Winter are already published, with a festive edition out next month

Food Theatre audiences can look forward to Angela cooking up delights including butterflied leg of lamb with dipping sauces and sticky almond cake with roasted spiced plums.

Said Angela: “It’s the perfect time of year, as the larder is stuffed to the brim with seasonal goodies.”

Also cooking up a storm in the Food Theatre will be:

* Jackie Palit, sharing some traditional Bengali recipes handed down through her husband’s family

* Italian creative chef and chef patissier, Orsola Muscia

* Allister Barsby, executive chef at The Grove, Narberth

* Stephen Terry of The Hardwick, Abergavenny

* Tom Hunt from the Dragon Inn, Narberth and

* Pembrokeshire produce champion Guy Morris.

FOOD THEATRE TIMETABLE

Saturday September 23

11am Andy Holcroft

12noon Orsola Muscia

1pm Angela Gray

2pm Guy Morris

3pm Allister Barsby

Sunday September 24

11am Jackie Palit

12noon Stephen Terry

1pm Angela Gray

2pm Tom Hunt

Pop-up Cookery School

Book on the day, £5, take home what you make!

Saturday September 23

11.30am Spice World with Jackie Palit

1.30pm Gin masterclass with Rob Higgins of Eccentric Gin

2.30pm Big Bangers with Angela Gray

Sunday September 24

11.30am, Big Bangers with Angela Gray

2.30pm Spice World with Jackie Palit

FUN FOR KIDS

Children’s activities run by Amelia Stone of Big Play Narberth take place in the festival marquee from 11 am to 5 pm on both days.

By popular demand, the activity programme is bigger and better this year, and is suitable for all ages. However, youngsters must be accompanied by an adult.

Meanwhile, it’s takeover time in the festival marquee for the event curtain-raiser on Friday September 22 – Education Day.

Over 80 youngsters from Narberth, Tavernspite and Templeton Schools will be enjoying food-themed activities, including sausage,pasta and butter-making; craft and yoga sessions and finding out what food wildlife harvest from our hedgerows.

A WELCOME FOR ALL AT THE FRIENDLIEST FESTIVAL

Free fun activities for children and a full programme of live music and entertainment add to the mix to make Narberth Food Festival a great place to be.

There’s a great line-up on the covered stage, featuring the best of local talent.

So find something delicious from the street food vendors or licensed bar; pull up a seat and enjoy eating to the beat!

Amongst those lining up on this year’s musical menu are:

* Singing for Fun, the north Pembrokeshire-based community choir

* The three-piece Platform 1 with their stripped-back, self-penned sounds

* Lighship Duo, playing pop, rock and blues

* Carmarthen Ukeleles

* Shanty le Hara, with their lively, eclectic mix

* Jazz band The Rhythm Kings, featuring Tudor Thomas

* Festival favourites, Fiddlebox

* 3 Ravens – the legendary Bob Fish on autoharp and vocals, Holly Robinson on fiddle and Sarah Kitson on double bass, playing bluegrass gospel, country,folk and rock.