There is an alternative!

Co‑operatives are everywhere. They offer an alternative in nearly every sector of the economy, from finance to farming, renewables to research. Now is the time to shout about co‑operation.

This year sees the launch of Co‑operatives Fortnight. This is a groundbreaking new initiative to promote the relevance and celebrate the success of co‑operative businesses.

Co‑operatives Fortnight will mobilise co‑operative members and activists across the UK to raise the profile of co‑operation - amongst customers, clients, members of the community, the media.
 

For further information visit: www.co-operatives-uk.coop

The Royal Norfolk Show is the largest two-day agricultural show in the country. There's interest for everyone; from the latest farm machinery and livestock to sampling some of Norfolks finest produce. For more information visit www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk

Established by the Meat Trades Journal more than a decade ago to reward excellence in supermarket retailing and manufacturing of meat, poultry and fish products. The search for the 2010 winning products is now on. Winners will benefit from extensive coverage in Meat traders Journal and be rewarded in front of industry VIPs at the lavish ceremony on Thurs 1st July 2010 at the Hilton on Park Lane, London.

Full details can be found at www.meatinfo.co.uk/supermeatandfish 

Please note the entry deadline is Fri 26 March 2010. Any queries contact Helen Law on 01293 846587 or email helen.law@william-reed.co.uk

Boudicca's Feast is a charity-based food and drink faire in which local restaurants, caterers, local food & drinks producers can highlight and promote their business and products by selling them to attendees. For a current list of who is participating, please check-out our event website.

A small ticket price (£5) will be charged to attendees of the faire which will cover entry to the event, a choice of a pint of local ale or cider (graciously donated by Chalk Hill Brewery, Norfolk Cider Company, Humpty Dumpty Brewery, and Adnams.) Attendees then will be free to shop from the food stalls participating. All tickets from sales will be applied as charitable donations to Dragon Hall through the Norwich and Norfolk Heritage Trust. Tickets may be purchased in June at Rainbow Wholefoods in downtown Norwich or from our website: www.boudiccasfeast.org

We are charging a minimal cost of £10 to any food/drink vendor who wishes to participate. They can contact us at boudiccasfeast@gmail.com for more information.

The focus of the event is on local business, with an aim to additionally highlight socially-concious food initiatives such as organic and sustainable foods, vegetarian foods, fair-trade, and promotion of the local diversity of Norfolk's food culture.

The Tendring Show is Essex county's premier agricultural event. The show attracts over 25,000 visitors each year. This year promises a packed showground with many exhibitors and entertainment throughout the day. For more information visit www.tendringshow.co.uk

For more information visit  www.bedforshirecountyshow.co.uk

The Riverside Festival attracts 300,000 people bi-annually. This is the second biggest event in Britain, the crowds are massive. Our stalls are perfectly placed along the river bank. You can't miss us when you go for your river bank stroll. A british sction and a Continental section this year. www.snakeinthegrass.co.uk

On Sunday 18th July we're going to have lunch with our neighbours – in streets, parks, gardens, car parks... The food, decorations and entertainment we'll grow, cook and create ourselves. It's a day to break bread together and put a smile back on Britain's face

For more information .visit: www.thebiglunch.com

SHOW CANCELLED DUE TO LICENCING ERROR !!

Something for all the family. Eat, drink and be merry and watch England's finest knights hurtle along the lists risking life and limb to bring you breathtaking entertainment. Two full performances per day. Dozens of food and drink stalls offering 'tasters'. Quaff some ale at the Pike Staff Inn, real ale!, or take tea on the lawns. Our celebrity chefs will be performing in the kitchen. £6 per adult entry £3 children (under 14). Free car parking. www.snakeinthegrass.co.uk

 For more information email don.quinn@ntlworld.com

A regional food and produce festival with a leaning towards the hot end of the spectrum!

For more infomation visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01263 837444

A superb venue with beautiful gardens in a deer park. The gardens themselves attract thousands of visitors from miles around. The Festival has a celebrity chef kitchen. There will be free guided tours of the kitchen gardens with a chef who really knows his onions. www.snakeinthegrass.co.uk

For more information email don.quinn@ntlworld.com

The Norfolk Summer Garden Show, which takes place at the Norfolk Showground, (Norwich, Norfolk)  has a reputation as the largest Garden and horticultural event in the region and returns in 2010 with an explosion of colour and design.

The show will once again bring the creativity and passion of the regions top floral and landscape designers to Norfolk, delivered in stunnings displays as well as strong environmental message for gardening in the climate we live in.  Coupled with an extensive array of garden and floral retail products, great food and entertainment for the whole family.

The Norfolk Summer Garden Show is a celebration of  Norfolk lifestyle and the great outdoors

Free Parking

For further details visit www.aztecevents.co.uk

Highlights of the show are the traditional breed shows and the children's farm, the dancing sheep show and the milking demonstration.  In the Fine Food marquee you will find a tempting selection of foods and drinks to try. See country craftsmen at work and try some country pursuits such as longbow archery. In the arenas, there will be falconry, sheep dogs, tug of war and of course the British Heavy Horse Driving team in action. View the showground from the air in a helicopter.

Events & Exhibition Organiser contact Elaine Gunn on 01707 287058
Ticket sales - 01707 287010

For further details visit www.hatfield-house.co.uk

The Southend Summer Garden Show, which takes place at Garon Park,(Southend, Essex)  has a reputation as the largest Garden and horticultural event in the region and returns in 2010 with an explosion of colour and design.

The show will once again bring the creativity and passion of the regions top floral and landscape designers to Essex, delivered in stunnings displays as well as strong environmental message for gardening in the climate we live in.  Coupled with an extensive array of garden and floral retail products, great food and entertainment for the whole family.

The Southend Garden Show is a celebration of  Essex lifestyle and the great outdoors.

Free Parking

For further details visit www.aztecevents.co.uk

Started in 2006 the Chilli Festival is a very popular family event attracting thousands of visitors over two days, offering a chance to buy Chilli plants, products and sample foods from around the world. Stalls are set up in the sheltered courtyard and Rose Garden where many different dishes are cooked fresh. A wide range of refreshments is provided to help you cool down, including cold beers and ice creams.

For more information visit www.beningtonlordship.co.uk/events/chillifestival.shtml or call 08701 261709 email: gardens@beningtonlordship.co.uk

 For more details visit: www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk

The Suffolk Autumn Garden Show, which takes place at Suffolk Showground, (Trinity Park)  has a reputation as the largest Garden and horticultural event in the region and returns in 2010 with an explosion of colour and design.

The show will once again bring the creativity and passion of the regions top floral and landscape designers to Suffolk, delivered in stunnings displays as well as strong environmental message for gardening in the climate we live in.  Coupled with an extensive array of garden and floral retail products, great food and entertainment for the whole family.

The Suffolk Garden Show is a celebration of  Suffolk lifestyle and the great outdoors.

Free Parking

For further details visit www.aztecevents.co.uk

Admission FREE. Normal admission charges apply to Waddesdon Manor Gardens

For more infomation visit www.waddesdon.org.uk or call 01296 653226 or email: waddesdonmanor@nationaltrust.org.uk

We have joined with Colchester Carnival to make one fantastic event in Upper Castle Park around Colchester's world famous Castle. There will be lots of family entertainment and we hope a Victorian Fairground. There will of course be the famous oysters and lots of seafood. The Pike Staff Inn will be there for your refreshment and cream teas will be on the lawn. Lots of good food to buy and some old fairground favourites. www.snakeinthegrass.co.uk

For more information email don.quinn@ntlworld.com

The definitive event for showcasing artisan food and drink to trade buyers. Delis, farm shops, independent retailers, restaurants, hotels, caterers and wholesalers are looking to source fine food with provenance, local sourcing and quality at the top of their agenda. For more information visit www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk

 Trade exhibitors contact: 01268 290228 or email info@essexcountryshow.co.uk

For more information visit: www.essexcountryshow.co.uk

Food Glorious Food A Vibrant Food Show with food exhibitors, cookery demonstrations and piazza.

There will be approx 40 food retailers and producers selling a wide range of food and drink.

Cookery demonstrations in the country kitchen and tempting refreshments in the piazza.

Country Kitchen
TV celebrity chef and food archaeologist Alan Coxon will be appearing in the country kitchen alongside Game-to-Eat chef Rob Marles and marie Taylor who will be cooking with rabbits. A new feature this year is the Micro Brewery Beer Festival where 8 Norfolk Micro Breweries will be competing for the best ale of the show.

For details visit www.livingheritagecountryshows.co.uk

Building on their winning combination of family, food and music, Jimmy's is delighted to announce the first of many chefs and bands who will be lighting up the Harvest weekend.

The nation's favourite Hairy Bikers will be performing on our bigger and better Farmhouse Kitchen stage, bringing their passion for great food and down-to-earth approach to cookery to the festival.

Mercury nominated Kate Rusby, also known as “a superstar of the British acoustic scene” (The Guardian) will be gracing the Music stage. She is widely regarded as one of the most famous English folk singers of modern times.

Also bringing their culinary expertise to the festival will be Valentine Warner of What To Eat Now fame, Tom Parker Bowles and Mark Hix. Collectively these three are a towering force in contemporary cooking and food criticism.

Having fun is imperative at Harvest so there will be lots of new and improved children's activities with some old favourites thrown in such as den building, cooking lessons and an all new inspired pirate adventure.

Harvest at Jimmy’s 2010 will have many more mouth-watering food producers and plentiful bars as well as giving you a boutique camping field so you can fully embrace the weekend!

Tickets are available now from www.bigwheeltickets.com. Day tickets are still great value at £32.50.
 

A Celebration of Waveney Valley Farm Produce - and the Art it Inspires!

Widely advertised "public art" competition - a culmination of a community project.

The Black Dog Harvest Fair will feature a Big Top housing stalls selling Waveney Valley farm produce and offering tastings. There will be a cafe and a separate Beer & Wine tent selling Waveney Valley alcoholic beverages.

For more information email Jan Dungey: jan@ollandstreet.co.uk

 50 of the very best local food producers, suppliers and farmers will be in attendance, enabling you to talk to them face to face about their products and offering you free tastings and asmples of their delicious goodies!  

Tel: 01638 751128
Email: info@lahogue.co.uk
Website: www.lahogue.co.uk

Now in its ninth year, British Food Fortnight is the biggest national celebration of the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces. It has become the definitive national celebration of our regional food and drinks, and the health benefits and pleasures of eating quality, fresh, seasonal and regionally distinct produce. It It is proving to be an important influencer in engaging the retail, catering, education and volunteer sectors and in establishing a more robust market for Britain's food and drink.

Many shops, pubs and restaurant in the east of england region will be  taking part with special menus and promotions as will National Trust properties, tourism attractions, hotels, youth hostels and many more. In 2010 the dates of British Food Fortnight will change, for one year only, to co-incide with the London Olympics.

For more information visit www.britishfoodfortnight.co.uk

The Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival is a two week celebration of the abundance of good local food and drink to be found in East Suffolk. The Festival takes place throughout East Suffolk from Friday 24th September through to Saturday 9th October 2010.

On Friday 24th September we are organising a Conference entitled ‘Food.  Why we need to change our eating habits and how it can be done.’

At the main Festival weekend at Snape Maltings, on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September, we’ll have over 70 exhibitors showcasing organic vegetables, fresh and smoked fish, rare breed meat and game, cheeses, frozen yoghurt, jams, beer, wine and lager.

The main festival weekend is an impressive two day programme of talks, workshops and cookery demonstrations from top chefs including Matthew Fort, Galton Blackiston, Valentine Warner, Sheila Dillon, Rose Prince,  Tommi Miers, Ruth Watson and Simon Wadham as well as many of your favourite local Suffolk chefs.

Admission at the entrance to the carparks will be £5 per person (under 13s free) which includes a Festival programme and jute shopping bag.  Parking at Snape Maltings is free.

For more information visit: www.aldbeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk

For more information visit: www.greatbritishcheesefestival.co.uk 

Important Dates: British Cheese Awards Judging - Thurs 9 Sept; Export Judging Fri 24 Sept; Awards Dinner Fri 24 Sept; Great British Cheese Festival: Trade Day Fri 24 Sept; Consumer Days, Sat 25 & Sun 26 Sept; British Cheese Week, Sat 25 Sept - Sun 3 Oct 2010;  www.thecheeseweb.com  

Lunch! is the UK's only dedicated event for the food-to-go sector, which makes it the number 1 trade show of choice for meeting the most important buyers in the industry. For more information visit www.lunchshow.co.uk

Slow Food Aylsham presents the 2010 Aylsham Food Festival. Running since 2005 the Ayslaham Food Festival is a celebrationof local food and its producers.

Sat 2nd Oct 2010 is a FARMA accredited Farmers Market in the Market Place.

For more information visit: www.slowfoodaylsham.org.uk

Food Glorius Food A Vibrant Food Show with food exhibitors, cookery demonstrations and piazza.

There will be approx 40 food retailers and producers selling a wide range of food and drink.

Cookery demonstrations in the country kitchen and tempting refreshments in the piazza.

Country Kitchen
Appreaing in the country kitcehn will be Game-to-Eat chef Rob Marles and Susan Broad who will cook with game producing English favourite such as curry.

For details visit www.livingheritagecountryshows.co.uk

 For more information visit www.norfolkfoodfestival.co.uk

Or email: mail@maryruddpr.co.uk; 01362 821415

Retailers, restaurants, canteens and pubs across the country celebrate the great Bramley apple pie. Also celebrate  Bramley Apple Week national event in February each year. 

For more information visit www.bramleyapples.co.uk

Fantastic range of foods, wines, beers and spirits, many with "taste before you buy", kitchen accessories, garden plants, plus a full programme of attractions. Sixth year - over 100 stalls.

For more information visit: www.cressingtemple.org.uk

Chocolate Week is a time of pure indulgence involving the country’s best chocolatiers and chocolate shops holding events all over the UK.

We’re currently making plans for Chocolate Week 2010, organising some very special events and, after the success of Chocolate Unwrapped, working on an even better show for this year. The dates for Chocolate Week will be 11th-17th October with Chocolate Unwrapped taking place over the weekend of 16th & 17th October at Vinopolis, London South Bank..
 

For more infomarion visit www.chocolate-week.co.uk or email: kate@nudgepr.co.uk

A global marketplace for all those involved in the food industry (retail, trade, manufacturing, catering professions, services). SIAL is where business and innovation meet.

For more information visit www.sial.fr

Following a succesful event in 2009, the fourth edition of the World Fruit and Veg Show will take place in the ExCel London Exhibition Centre on the 27th and 28th October 2010. This year bookings are already ahead of 2009 where 21 countries were represented by 118 exhibiting, sharing country pavilions and exhibiting as individuals. Tesco will be supporting the event with their Innovation Award, which last year went to one of the smaller exhibitors, Quickshine, which entered a new product they described as a Fruit & Veg SAVER.

For more information visit www.wfvexpo.com

Demand for game is soaring - and so is the popularity of National Taste of Game Week. In fact a week simply isn't enough, so this year BASC is doubling it to NATIONAL TASTE OF GAME FORTNIGHT. For more information visit: www.basc.org.uk  or email: simon.hamlyn@basc.org.uk

For further details please visit: www.livingcrafts.co.uk  

For all enquiries telephone: Richard Berry 01621 773403

For more information visit: www.cressingtemple.org.uk

For more information visit: www.bramleyapples.co.uk

Bramley Apple Pie Week runs in October, see entry in relevant month

For further details visit: www.naturalproducts.co.uk

For more details visit: www.hertsshow.com