THE very best of local food and drink was enjoyed at the Crediton Food and Drink Festival, held in Crediton’s Town Square on Saturday, June 10.

Crowds of people attended and before them found an array of stalls of delicious food and fantastic drinks.

After a break of five years, it was the welcome return of the eagerly awaited event.

There were stalls on the Town Square and in Market Street and those attending could enjoy food to eat “on-the-go” or food and drink to take home.

The festival was opened by the Town Crier and it then included a Punch and Judy Show and music by Sandford Sings.

Amusing shoppers were “The Grannies” and “The Cleaners”, with their unique brand of street comedy.

The stalls sold locally roasted coffee and hot drinks, “dirty” burgers, locally made cheese, Nachos/burgers, cooked food, locally made deluxe marshmallows, cakes, brownies and cupcakes and even ice-cream sold from a traditional trike.

There were rare breed pork sausages, sausage rolls and Scotch eggs, locally produced meat and pasties, award winning vodka and liquers, bottle conditioned ales, small batch craft real ale and multi award winning gin.

Other stalls were selling fresh pasteurised whole milk and flavoured milkshakes, gin by the glass (and bottle!), organic breads, Ukrainian cakes/biscuits, fermented food products, kimchi cheese toasties and cheese, quiche, sausage rolls and deli items.

There were delicious strawberries, noodles, curry dishes, goats cheese and roast pork rolls, cider and soft drinks.

DEMONSTRATIONS

In the Central Marquee there were some interesting demonstrations and talks.

These included Chef James from The Duck at Yeoford cooking a dish showcasing locally sourced duck, Rose from Red Earth Ferments demonstrating how to make Kimchi, Amy Oboussier from Living Slow Cookery School talking about cooking healthy, seasonal meals in your own kitchen.

Amy Oboussier from Hodmedods gave an informative talk on the benefits of farming sustainably, cooking with and eating pulses and grains in Britain.

There was also a cookery demonstration about batch cooking with Grechen Oldland.

SOLD OUT

Many of the stalls saw long queues of people and early during the afternoon a number of stalls had completely sold out of their wares.

The Festival was supported by several local organisations, including Crediton Town Council, Ashgrove Kitchens, Peck and Strong and Crediton Chamber of Commerce.

The event was a credit to the organisers and all the stallholders who obviously take pride in making the best products possible.