East Midlands Food Festival

Things have been a bit up in the air here recently (explaining why I haven't updated in over a week) and we both decided we needed a trip out. Undeterred by the torrential rain and armed with walking boots and umbrellas we headed to Melton Mowbray for the East Midlands Food Festival. Held in the ground of Brooksby Hall, a local agricultural college, 200 suppliers from around the region were there to sell their foodie wares. I have Phil @ Local Food Heroes to thank for making me aware of this event.

I was pleasantly surprised with the variety and quality of producers with stalls there. My usual favourites Azorieblue and Farrington Oils were there but also some new found companies that I'm sure I'll be returning to.

The Leicestershire Handmade Cheese Co. was there with their Sparkenhoe Leicestershire Cheese. I adore this cheese and have tasted it before today. It is beautifully creamy and slightly nutty plus makes the ultimate cheese on toast!

The garlic we planted this year didn't work so I was glad to see The Garlic Farm there today selling garlic bulbs for planting. Crossed fingers they work this time.

I was first drawn to the stall by the giant ornamental cabbages and Romanesco broccoli,I never thought I would ever get excited about vegetables! Woodlands Farm run a veg box scheme and although we live too far away from them to deliver we were able to buy some of the veg boxes today. The selection in the small box we bought was fantastic and fresh.

Peppercorn Catering had a popular stall adorned in various cakes. We picked up some of their delicious Chocolate Indulgence cupcakes. It's also good to find a local company that delivers cupcakes.

We also picked up some steak sausages from Blackbrook Longhorns that will be dinner tomorrow and Hubby went a bit mad on the Continental Cottage stall and we now could be eating various types of salami for months to come. For lunch we had some duck fat roast potatoes with soured cream, sea salt and parsley, the perfect antidote for a rather late, alcohol fueled Saturday night.

My favourite supplier of the day certainly has to beChocolate Confetti What made them stand out from all the other chocolate stalls there was their range of unusual chocolates. I was truly spoilt for choice and wanted to try them all! I eventually settled on Strawberry & Pimms white chocolate truffle, White Stilton & Port enrobed in dark chocolate and a Guinness chocolate. As soon as I saw the white Stilton & port chocolate I knew it had to be tried. You can certainly taste the saltiness of the Stilton paired the with the sweetness of the port and bitterness of the extremely dark chocolate. Although it may sound like a strange chocolate it was one I would certainly eat again. Thankfully (but unfortunately for my pocket) Chocolate Confetti have a stall at a Farmers Market local to me.

We'll certainly be returning to the East Midlands Food Festival next year.

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