With less than two months to go until the first Guernsey International Food Festival, bookings have opened for the various events. The festival, which will take place all over the island from 18th-27th September, will showcase Guernsey’s delicious local produce and unique dishes with special dinners, tours and interactive events. As well as cook offs and live cooking demonstrations, there will be a talk from star guest Prue Leith, foraging workshops, themed gastro events and the first dedicated Guernsey Beer & Cider Festival.
Top events include:
Prue Leith – My Life on a Plate
Saturday 19 September, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Town Church, St Peter Port
Prue Leith’s talk My Life on a Plate, will cover her highly successful career and latest novel The Food of Love, a wartime story of love and loss. Talk costs £10.
Guernsey Gourmet Bus Tour
Saturday 26 September, 9-5pm
Hop aboard the Gourmet Bus for a whistle-stop tour of Guernsey’s finest producers. Highlights include fishmonger, Seafresh, where the catch of the day will be seen coming off the boats with a talk from the fishermen; the stunning Rocquette Cider Farm, family run Fresh Guernsey Herbs and Randalls Brewery. A local produce lunch will feature island made Torteval Cheese and Haut Maison fruit liqueurs. Tour costs £55.
Wild Foraging Workshop
Sunday 27 September, 10am-noon
Gather wild food, taste it raw – then transform the foraged ingredients into a recipe worth remembering for a family picnic or dinner party. Identify sea herbs, sea vegetables and sample a treat made up from foraged foods. The cost is £20.
Big Guernsey Market
Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 September, 10am – 6pm
Crown Pier, St Peter Port
This will be the Channel Islands’ biggest food and drink event of the year. Head to stalls from local producers including Haut Maison fruit liqueurs, Fresh Guernsey Herbs and Torteval Cheese for tastings. Be sure to visit hot food stalls from the island’s leading restaurants such as Old Government House and Bella Luce or the hog roast from Porky’s, the local pig farmer. Don’t miss the Beach BBQ Cook-Off, where local chefs will compete to produce the tastiest barbecue dish.
Seriously Seafood Supper
Friday 18 September, 7pm for 7.30pm supper
La Fregate Hotel (lafregatehotel.com/ 01481 724624)
La Fregate has arguably one of the best restaurant views on the island, overlooking St. Peter Port, Herm, Sark, Jersey and even the coast of France on a clear day. The Seriously Seafood Supper features a welcome drink on the terrace, followed by an exquisite three course dinner of local Guernsey seafood created by La Fregate head chef Neil Maginnis. The supper costs £55.
Guernsey Beer & Cider Festival
Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 September, Noon – 8pm (Saturday), noon – 6pm (Sunday)
Market Square, St Peter Port (marketplaceguernsey.co.uk)
Enjoy local beers and ciders from island producers including Randalls, Rocquette and White Rock Brewery, alongside a selection of international craft beers, at the first Guernsey Beer & Cider Festival. The festival will feature live music throughout the day and hearty hot food available from the Market Bistro. Free entry.
For further details and to book events in advance: www.visitguernsey.com/food-festival
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