Hampshire Food Festival

Celebrate the best of Hampshire’s food and drink at the Hampshire Food Festival. The festival, organised by Hampshire Fare, takes place from 1-31 July 2012.

Farmers, producers, restaurants, pubs, cookery schools, attractions, libraries and town centres all across Hampshire all get involved in this popular annual event.

The festival offers the chance to learn more about food production in Hampshire and to taste some of the county’s fine local produce.  

You can visit breweries, vineyards, orchards and lavender fields, take part in celebratory lunches and dinners, or attend butchery and fish filleting demonstrations.

For hands-on fun and discovery there are classes in jam, chocolate or cheese-making, in milling and baking, cider pressing or trout and venison farming.

With plenty of opportunities for sampling and with lots of exciting activities on offer, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.  

Every year has new highlights and there’s often a chance to see celebrities at work. Stars taking part in 2011 included renowned chefs Atul Kochhar, Antony Worrall Thompson and James Martin, as well as TV wine expert Olly Smith and vegetarian food writer Rose Elliot.

James Martin, who has lived and worked in Hampshire for 17 years, was one of the main supporters of the Hampshire Food Festival in 2011 and wrote the foreword to the festival brochure.

Sign up to the Hampshire Fare e-newsletter to find out more nearer the time, and don't forget to watch our new food video featuring events from the 2010 Hampshire Food Festival.