The 'culinary capital of west Wales' - Narberth - promises Mediterranean flavours as well as home- grown talent to Pembrokeshire during the 2007 Narberth Food Festival.
This, the ninth festival, which is organised by a group of enthusiastic volunteers, takes place this weekend, September 22 and 23, and is set to bring an eclectic mix of food, entertainment, cooking demonstrations and food-related talks to the town. Highlights include television chef Dudley Newberry, who will be cooking and talking about his Italian adventures, following the completion of his latest TV series, 'Casa Dudley', while Rick Stein's latest 'find', Italian chef and Slow Food exponent, Mino Maggi, will be cooking in the Food Theatre during the weekend and holding a masterclass in pasta- making at the festival's Education Day. Headlining the food talks will be author and Mediterranean food specialist, Elisabeth Luard, patron of the festival, who will be giving a talk on introducing children to world food flavours. One of Wales' best-known chefs, Gareth Johns, of the Wynnstay Arms, Machynlleth, will be providing an insight into his food philosophy as he cooks in the Food Theatre on festival Sunday, and professional food forager, Yun Hider, will be sharing some of his secrets of tracking down food from the wild. The festival will be hosting more than 50 specialist food outlets in the marquee on the town moor, with cookery demonstrations throughout the weekend in the Food Theatre and food-related talks being held in the school building adjacent to the main marquee. With a hot line-up of street entertainment and music, kids' workshops and plenty of food and drinks to try and buy, Narberth is gearing up to welcome thousands of foodies who flock to the town for this festival. Ample free parking - and a free and convenient Park and Ride - makes this festival an ideal day trip.
For those making a weekend of it, SPAN Arts presents a spectacular Food Festival Cabaret Evening, featuring Swizzleshaker, Dangerous Curves, The Singing Chef and special guests to be announced, at the Queen's Hall, Narberth.
Telephone (01834) 869323 for bookings, £12.50 (£1 concessions). Doors open 8 pm, show starts 9 pm. For up-to-date details, check the festival website http://www.narberthfoodfestival.co.uk">www.narberthfoodfestival.co.uk.
Education day
Today (Friday, September 21), 9.30 - 2.30 pm: Narberth, Templeton and Brynconin Primary School pupils will be attending a special hands-on Food Education Day in the festival marquee. Activities include bread-making, pasta-making, sausage-production and cheese-tasting. Pupils will enjoy a freshly-made lunch, including world food tasters from Pembrokeshire College's international students.
The theme of the day is Food Miles, highlighting the availability of local food, the distance some foods travel to our plates and how to reduce them.
Pupils will learn basic skills to take home by attending master classes by professional chefs and assisting in preparing their lunch which will be served during the day.
Saturday, September 22
For a family-friendly day out (10 am - 5 pm), come and enjoy food produce from more than 50 specialist food stalls on display in the food festival marquee.
Catch a cookery master class from a professional chef performing in the Food Theatre, and enjoy a taste.
Soak-up the festival atmosphere with plenty of food to try and buy, entertainment including music and theatre acts, and check out the programme of food-related talks that are being held throughout the day in the school building adjacent to the main marquee.
Children's workshops in the school hall, or enjoy the hands-on exhibition in our child-friendly yurt - and don't forget to sign our Poetry Tree to help commemorate this year's festival and share your thoughts. Entries will be posted on the website for posterity.
Festival highlights
Welsh TV chef Dudley Newberry will be available throughout the day, cooking with recipes from his new series, while at 10 am, the food festival will be official opening by festival patron, Elisabeth Luard.
Chefs' timetable
(Food Theatre)
11 am - Italian chef and Slow Food exponent Mino Maggi, now appearing in Rick Stein's latest TV show, brings Mediterranean flavours to the Food Theatre
12 noon - John Rowlands, head chef, Harbourmaster Restaurant, Milford Haven, makes the most of seasonal flavours.
1 pm - Mino Maggi cooks up some Italian classics.
2 pm - John Rowlands, head chef, Harbourmaster Restaurant, Milford Haven, makes the most of seasonal flavours.
3 pm - Last chance to catch Chef Mino Maggi.
Talks Timetable
(School room adjacent to the marquee)
11.30 am - Brewing for Success: The amazing story of how West Wales' Penlon Brewery came to brew its world-famous beers, by Stefan and Penny Samociuk, founders and inventors of the gourmet Chocolate Beer.
1.30 pm - Food Adventures: International food writer Elisabeth Luard on introducing children to flavours from around the world.
3.30 pm - Herbs for the Table: Andy Cook, of Rhos Hill Garden Plants, and chairman of the Haverfordwest Farmers' Market and successful herb grower, on cultivating culinary herbs.
Entertainment Timetable
(Festival marquee and around the town)
11 am - UK's first Asian stilt-walking act The Maharajahs who claim to be Punjabi Royalty, bring Bhangra energy and Bollywood flair to Narberth.
12 noon - The Swizzleshaker variety show, evoking the atmosphere of a 1940s Hollywood cocktail bar, with lindy-hopping swing dancing and comedy magic.
1 pm - More from those Royal Maharajahs
2 pm - New Talent: Local singer-songwriter Cherie Morgan debuts at the food festival.
3 pm - Last chance to brush with Punjabi Royalty with a Bhangra beat, the Maharajahs.
4 pm - The Singing Chef, Magic, walkabout entertainment.
8 pm - SPAN Arts presents a spectacular Food Festival Cabaret Evening, featuring Swizzleshaker, Dangerous Curves, The Singing Chef and special guests to be announced, at the Queen's Hall, Narberth, telephone (01834) 869323 for bookings, or check the website. Admission £12.50 (£1 concessions). Doors open 8 pm, show starts 9 pm. 6 - 9 pm - Pre-show dinner available at the Queen's Hall's Café Q, tel. 07875 234734 for bookings.
Children's workshops
Art activities in the school hall by Common Ground.
Sunday, September 23
The second day of Narberth's ninth food festival, 10 am - 5 pm. Sunday tends to have a slightly more laid-back atmosphere, with live music throughout the day. Bring the family and enjoy food produce from more than 50 specialist food stalls on display in the food festival marquee. Sunday lunches are available in local hotels, restaurants and pubs - see website for latest information.
Catch a cookery master class from a professional chef performing in the Food Theatre, and enjoy a taste of their signature dishes. Soak-up the festival atmosphere with plenty of food to try and buy, entertainment, including music and theatre acts, and check out the programme of food-related talks that are being held throughout the day in the school building adjacent to the main marquee. Many local shops in the town will also be open.
Welsh TV chef Dudley Newberry will be available throughout the day, cooking using recipes from his new series.
Chefs' timetable
(Food Theatre)
11 am - Celebrity Welsh chef Gareth Johns, head chef of the award-winning Wynnstay Arms, Machynlleth, and promoter of Slow Food and Real Food principles, cooks some contemporary Welsh signature dishes. 12 noon - Rob cooks Spanish delights. 1 pm - More tasty treats from Gareth Johns. 2 pm - Rob 3 pm - Last chance to catch Gareth Johns on his passion for Slow Food.
Talks Timetable
(School room adjacent to the marquee)
11.30 am - Mountain food - how to forage for wild food, with Pembrokeshire's forager, Yun Hider. 1.30 pm - Food Adventures: Juliette Revell cooks and talks about Indonesian cuisine. 3.30 pm - Llanboidy Cheese: Sue Jones, proprietor of Llanboidy Cheese, on how she resurrected a farmhouse tradition to become an internationally-renowned award-winning business.
Entertainment Highlights
Music throughout the day: Narberth's The Jester Band, laid-back blues and easy Sunday listening. 11 am - The Courgettes, classic food songs such as 'Saturday Night Fish Fry' and 'Sugar Sugar' with a ska beat, foot-tapping, finger lickin' entertainment. 12 noon - The Singing Nun - remember Sister Ruth? The hilarious tribute that is Musical Ruth comes to Narberth. 1 pm - The Courgettes, sizzle at high temperature with these musical chefs - join in if you like. 2 pm - Musical Ruth, mobile piano driven by madcap nun promises comedy, dance and facial contortions. 3 pm - The Courgettes, last chance to catch their rock 'n' roll comedy routine. 4 pm - Last chance to catch Musical Ruth on her motorised grand piano.
Children's workshops
Art activities in the school hall by Common Ground.
Festival Competitions
Best food-related Narberth shop window display for the Paul Grimwood Memorial Prize Best-dressed festival stall for the Wendy Connolly Memorial Prize.
Fight Hunger - Eat Out
Support Action Against Hunger, the Narberth Food Festival and SPAN Arts: Join friends of Narberth Food Festival for a Gala Dinner with entertainment on October 26 at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth. For bookings/details, contact Peter Preece, treasurer, on (01834) 860004.
Next year's festival!
The food festival committee are already making plans for next year's 10th festival - September 20 and 21, 2008.