Sunshine was the icing on the cake for Narberth Food Festival’s 20th birthday celebrations at the weekend.

There were plenty of keen festival-goers who braved Saturday’s rain to enjoy the under-cover stalls and demonstrations.

But the event upped a gear when blue skies came along on Sunday, and the festival site was packed inside and out.

“People have come in droves and our stall-holders have all been happy,” said Narberth Food Festival chairman Colin Russell.

“The whole event has just been such a marvellous success.”

Serving up the smiles was a Gordon Ramsay-lookalike who mingled with the crowds, while headlining the real-life culinary maestro action in the Food Theatre was top Welsh chef Bryn Williams, who has just opened his third London restaurant.

He said: “This is an amazing festival - really good fun. I’ll be back, if they’ll have me!”

Bryn also featured in a Restaurant Confidential chat with forager Matt Powell, food writer Simon Wright and Welsh actor Julian Lewis Jones.

And also cooking up a storm were - Allister Barsby from The Grove, Narberth; Lia Moutselou with recipes reflecting her Greek heritage; Sarah Philpott, showing easy one-pot vegan meals; Pembrokeshire cook and writer Vic North and Ludo Dieumegard from The Harbourmaster, Aberaeron, who brought along a keen kitchen assistant in his eight-year-old daughter, Ella.

Meanwhile, over 50 stalls in and around the festival’s massive marquee were kept busy with hungry customers browsing, tasting and buying.

Narberth butcher Andrew Rees celebrated the festival’s 20th birthday by serving up a special edition of the Narberth Sausage, which he created for the very first event.

He added chorizo to the recipe of pork, basil, leek and tomato, and nearly 3,000 of the bangers were tasted or bought over the weekend.

“It’s been a fantastic festival,” said Andrew, who is celebrating his 30th year in business in 2018. “Everyone was pleasantly surprised how busy it was on Saturday with the rain and today (Sunday) has been absolutely great.”

Adding to the mix of the festival were masterclasses in fish, with Vic North; foraging, with Matt Powell and fermenting, with Lauren and Phil from Parc Y Dderwen, Llangolman, with tutored tastings of Eccentric Gin and Penderyn Whisky.

Live music and free bee-themed children’s activities from Amelia Stone of Big Play Narberth added to the mix of the festival, while the Friday curtain-raiser was the Paul Davey Education Day, enjoyed by over 90 youngsters from Narberth, Tavernspite and Templeton schools.

Next year’s Narberth Food Festival takes place on September 28 and 29.

For more information, see www.narberthfoodfestival.com

Pics. Gareth Davies Photography