There will be plenty of food glorious food on the menu in Narberth next week when the town's annual Food Festival takes place. Taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 23-25, there will be demonstrations by local and celebrated chefs, street entertainment, talks, workshops, tastings, a food quiz and windows competition, plus a live concert. As in previous years, the festival committee are continually expanding and improving the vibrant food culture of Narberth. Launched at last year's festival, the Narberth Food Club is a great success, with a first year membership of 52 and rising. For 2004, a large marquee will be erected at the top of the Town Moor. This will increase the capacity for visitors and the many festival activities taking place. Whether you are a resident or are on a visit to our lovely county, please come along and help us to cook up a storm. On Thursday, September 23, the WI Country Market will be held at the Queen's Hall from 9 am, offering a wonderful selection of local produce, baking, dairy, vegetables, craft and plants etc. In the evening, the annual charity dinner, in aid of the RNLI, takes place at Plas Hyfryd Hotel. Following last year's great success, resident chef Paul Smith, aided by the 2004 Ludlow young chefs competition winner, will cook a three-course dinner. The after dinner speaker is Deryc Rees, of 'Future Farmers of Wales', while music and entertainment will be provided by solo vocalist, Elaina Hoss. The event begins at 7.30 for 8 pm and tickets are priced £14.50. To book, telephone Pat Jones on (01834) 860038. On Friday, September 24, there will be a coffee morning at Plas Hyfryd Hotel, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief. At the Queen's Hall, from 10 am until 5 pm, there will be a feast of local and European produce, stands and stalls, plus displays, which will fill the hall. Admission is £1.50 for adults, with children free. There will also be demonstrations in the marquee, while the SPAN building will host creative wirework and cooking workshops with Templeton CP School from 10 am to 12 noon and 1-3 pm. There will be demonstrations by Tom Hunt, the new chef at Café Q, at 11 am and 3pm, Mark Phillips, chef at the Stone Crab, Saundersfoot, at 12 noon and 2 pm, and Kate Morgan, Pembrokeshire County Council's food officer at 1 pm. Outside, there will be plenty to amuse with street entertainment from The Brothers Kalamari, who will be bringing cool sophistication reminiscent of a Paris cafe of the 1930s live to the streets of Narberth. Elsewhere, Pembrokeshire College international students will be cooking authentic dishes from China, India, Pakistan, and Japan in the Balcony Room at the Queen's Hall, from 11 am to 2.30 pm. Also, at The Dragon Inn at 7.30 pm, the food quiz takes place, complete with tastings and humour. It is open to teams of up to three. Entry is £5 per person, which includes a free glass of wine and entertainment. There will be prizes for the winners. On Saturday, September 24, the food and drink fair will again be held at the Queen's Hall, between 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is £1.50 for adults, with children free. Around the town, street entertainers Circus Malarky will show off their magic tricks, juggling, plus a lot of pavement pranks, while 'The Sneakers', an explosive combination of Rock 'n' Roll and pure comedy and 'Larkin About', a popular duo of dithering crusty old waiters will certainly cause a stir. John Bray from the Wolf Inn will speak on 'Cooking with Herbs' at 11.30 am, while in the marquee, demonstrations will be given by Welsh Chef of the Year, Dermot Slade, at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm and Peter Gartell from The Cookhouse at Ludlow at 12 noon and 2 pm. In the SPAN Building from 10 am to 3 pm, there will be a wirework and cooking workshop open to the public - please book your place. The ever-popular Campaign for Real Ale will be doing its bit at the festival - not only will there be a fantastic array of beers from breweries across Wales, but members will also be giving an informative talk on this sadly beleaguered local produce, as mass-produced beverages dominate the market and monopolise British pub culture. The beers will be available to try throughout the day on Friday and Saturday, with a talk being given at the Queen's Hall, on Saturday at 1.30 pm - just in time for a liquid lunch! In addition, there will be the Real Ale Trail at participating public houses. Just before the talk on Saturday, 'The Two Grahams' from Ludlow, will give a talk on 'The Slow Food Movement'. Building on the cultural links between Narberth and Ludlow, the Mayor of Ludlow, Graham Kidd and fellow councillor Graham Perks will be giving their talk at 12.30 pm. Meanwhile, Michael Sherman and Michael Thomas-Palmer from the Pembrokeshire WildFowlers will speak at 2.30 pm. Mike Sherman is the chairman of the Pembrokeshire Wildfowlers' Association. Along with other club members, Mike will be giving a fascinating insight into the age-old tradition of obtaining food from the wild, as well as providing a taste of wild duck and goose. At 5 pm, leaders of the Bollywood Brass Band will give a presentation on their work in India and Europe, followed by the big evening concert featuring the Bollywood Brass Band, Europe's first Indian brass band. Doors open at 7.30 pm, with tickets priced at £12, available from SPAN. Early booking is advised on (01834) 869323. And to top the festival off, on Sunday, September 26, Narberth Film Society, presents the first film of the new season, 'Mr. and Mrs. Iyer', starring Rahul Bose, Konkona Sensharma and Esha Chauhan. It is being shown at the Queen's Hall at 7.30 pm. Tickets are £3.50 and will be available at the door. For further information about Narberth Food Festival, contact Jackie Palit on (01834) 860268 or Peter Preece on (01834) 869364. Alternatively, check out the website at http://www.narberthfoodfestival.co.uk">www.narberthfoodfestival.co.uk
