Pickled firecracker peppers, creamy mold-ripened cheese, coral rosé with a hint of lychee and creamy oysters that smell of the seashore – all the gems you’d expect from a forage through the French appellations or a culinary caper through the Italian DOCs, right? Wrong.
It might come as a surprise to many of us to discover that all of these foods – and a hearty hamper full more – are grown and produced right here on our doorstep in the South East, and local foodie Francis Gimblett has made it his delicious duty to help more of us discover the nourishing treasures in our own backyards.
His Haslemere30 Taste Fest on September 28 celebrates all that’s good, gooey and gorgeous about Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire food – with only those producers that are based within a 30-mile radius of the town taking part.
“Many of us have become disconnected with our local food culture and heritage and I wanted to organise a tasting festival that gave people the opportunity to meet their local producers and get a real mouthfeel for the region through its food and drink,” says Francis.
So, while food festivals are nothing new, Halsmere30 is offering something that little bit different – a truly immersive experience that boasts generous tastings and ‘how-to’ demos in cheese and ice-cream making, home brewing, spirit steeping and crab dressing.
“We’ll be running tasting zones with ‘10 tasters for £5’ sessions, where people can come along, and for their ticket price, try out their favourite wines and foods but get a good gulp of wine and a proper portion not just a tiny morsel of cheese,” says Francis. “By the end, you’ll have had a really good lunch!”
Local schools have also got involved and pupils will be entertaining the crowds with their own regional recipes, food science projects and tasting challenges.
Francis, who was responsible for the hugely successful 2012 Halsmere WineFest, has made sure the region’s drink producers get a good sip of the action too. Five of the country’s top wineries – including Bolney, Nyetimber, Stopham and Tinwood – will be taking part, and there will be golden summer ales from Surrey’s own Hogs Back Brewery Co and Surrey Cider from the Garden Cider Company.
“When we go on holiday, say Spain, Italy or France, we get a feel for a region by its food and wine, but when we come back we all underestimate what's on our own doorstep,” he says. “It’s all about putting people back in touch with their region’s tastiest bits and reinvigorating the demand for home grown produce, not only for exisiting producers but also to encourage new ones to take root.”
With 30 producers from a 30-mile radius already confirmed for Halsmere30, there’s at least 30-something delicious reasons to attend!
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