BAKING GURU, DAN LEPARD, COMES TO OSWESTRY!

The UK's foremost baking guru, Dan Lepard comes to Oswestry for the ultimate baking demonstration: 11am Bread Making and 2pm Cake Making and Decorating in association with Oswestry Food Festival and The Walls Restaurant.

Each demo to be followed by a book-signing and chance to meet Dan and learn about his new book, Short & Sweet - The Best Of Home Baking. Tickets: £15 per demonstration (includes refreshments and £5 off the price of Dan's book)

TO BOOK: Pop in or Call Booka on 01691 662244 or email: mail@bookabookshop.co.uk

More info: Dan Lepard's innovative and earthy approach has made him the baker that every top chef wants in their kitchen, and with "Short & Sweet" his utterly dependable how-to-bake book, you'll be making cakes, pastries, breads and cookies like never before. In his new book, "Short & Sweet", Dan shows you how to improve your baking, what to work on, and how to take what is OK right up to brilliant without a sweat - the country's cutting-edge baker.

If you'd like to know more about Dan Lepard, visit http://www.danlepard.com.

LITTLE PIXIES NURSERY PUT LOCAL FOOD TO THE FORE!

Deb and Sarah started the Little Pixies Nursery because as Mum’s themselves, they felt that there was an need for a rural nursery offering comprehensive hours with a homely feel.

Their mission is to provide a nurturing environment for children from 12 weeks to pre-school. Deb and Sarah are passionate about food and all nursery meals are prepared from scratch on site.

Their meat is sourced from David Keegan in Llanrhaeadr ym and fruit and veg comes from the Knockin Farm Shop.

Sarah says, "It is important to us that children understand the provenance of food and with this in mind we have a large vegetable patch already growing spring cabbages and broccoli. Our staff are handpicked, local people who are as committed to our ethos as we are and with skills in childcare that are of the highest quality."

If you'd like to know more about this fabulous nursery, visit www.littlepixiesnursery.co.uk or give Sarah and Deb a call on 01743-741554.

"THE FOOD DEBATE VIDEO"

If you missed the QUESTION OF FOOD debate at the Food Festival organised by OS21, here is a 6 minute glimpse put together by Oswestry Noise - our sincere thanks to both groups for being a part of the festival.

"THE BEST FESTIVAL EVER!"

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who came along on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the stunning array and variety of food & drink exhibitors.

Once again, thousands of visitors had a great weekend to enjoy Oswestry as it's very best. As several visitors and new exhibitors said, "This is a market town doing what a market town does best!"

Our thanks go to Oswestry Town Council, P&S Electrical, Oswestry Live and Lanyon Bowdler for supporting the festival.

For your diary, next year's festival will be 7th and 8th July 2012. SEE YOU THERE! :)

OFFICIAL PROGRAMME - DOWNLOAD HERE

The OFFICIAL PROGRAMME listing all exhibitors and their location along with a complete Food Festival Fringe programme is now available online.

Every year, we look to enhance the festival, and this year, we have put together a FOOD FESTIVAL FRINGE programme of events.

On Monday, 4th July, Booka Bookshop launch their delicious Literary Cupcakes - available all through the festival.
On Thursday, 7th July, Kinokulture will screen a wonderful film GROW YOUR OWN at the Marches at 7.30pm.
On Friday, 8th July, Upstairs Downstairs will host PASTAMANIA! - a whole day of pasta-making demonstrations.
On Friday, 8th July, OS21 will host A QUESTION OF FOOD at the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.
On Sunday, 10th July 3-5pm at the Memorial Hall it's the fabulous TEA DANCE!

Thank you to Lanyon Bowdler (incorporating Longueville Gittens) for kindly helping us put the programme together.

WE'RE READY TO GO NEXT WEEKEND! :)

Exhibitors confirmed, music sorted, layout organised - the 5th Oswestry Food & Drink Festival awaits with new exhibitors galore to explore.

The festival opens at 10am till 4pm both days along CROSS STREET, BAILEY STREET and NEW STREET.

Bring your friends, colleagues and family for what promises to be a great family day out in the heart of Oswestry.

FULLY BOOKED UP - ONE MONTH TO GO!

To all successful exhibitors, we look forward to seeing you at the festival - it's going to be a great weekend. If you haven't managed to book this time, we have been inundated with enquiries so please try again next year - when, hopefully we might have more space!

The planning is going well - in the coming weeks you'll see banners and posters going up around the town.

We're looking forward to another great weekend of food & drink in the heart of Oswestry.

WE ARE FIVE!!! :)

Thanks to the kindness of the people of Oswestry, the stunning quality of our local exhibitors and the generous support of Oswestry Town Council, The Oswestry Food & Drink Festival has now reached the grand old age of 5.

Now, when you're 5, it's a good time to have a party, don't you think. Well, this year, we are intent of making it a festival to remember, so hold on to your venison burgers! :)

It's a great time to invite friends, family and colleagues for a great weekend in the HEART OF OSWESTRY.

We're looking forward to it. Coming soon...

THE 2010 OSWESTRY FOOD FESTIVAL WAS A STUNNING SUCCESS!!!

This has been quite a journey so far for the Oswestry Food and Drink Festival - we look forward to welcoming you in 2011 - July 9 & 10.

It's amazing to think that this is only our 4th year. What will our 10th be like? This weekend that showed, to anyone who had any doubts, that Oswestry Border Market Town is truly loved by visitors from far and wide.

What makes Oswestry Food & Drink Festival so attractive is a mix of the highest quality, local exhibitors, laid out in a traditional market town, with cultural delights like the finest opera singers, along with free entry designed to make it an all-inclusive festival. Everyone was able to see, smell, taste, hear and feel the atmosphere that Oswestry generates.

*** If you missed the festival, watch THE VIDEO.

Time and again, local people said they had "Never seen so many people in Oswestry", that "This should happen more often". As the Festival Organiser, I can only thank the many people, volunteers and organisations that helped to make this festival happen. In particular, I'd like to make a special mention to Oswestry Town Council, the Market Manager and their Maintenance Team who worked tirelessly to provide the stalls we require, set the stalls up and generally be fully on board with what we are looking to achieve.

A big thanks too, to Paul Evans and his team at P&S Electrical who organised and expertly delivered the power requirements. It simply wouldn't have been possible without them both. Also, to the many shops and businesses along Cross St, Bailey St and New St that sit alongside the festival - their co-operation is invaluable and I only hope they appreciate that the new visitors who come to Oswestry on this weekend, will return to see more of what they offer having had such an enjoyable experience of the town.

As for next year, we have considered extending along Church Street towards Cae Glas Park - bringing in other other food and musical elements. The festival should grow to serve the needs of the town and it's people, and no more. It would be very interesting to hear your views on their own experience of the festival and how their would like to see it develop.

If you would like to know more about "this jewel of a town" as a festival visitor from Coventry described it, the click on The Best of Oswestry.

If you would like to exhibit or get involved in some capacity next year - feel free to get in touch and let us know what you would like to do.

See you there! :)