ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL 2007

This page contains a mixture of up-to-date news and information, press releases, and a selection of articles describing previous year's events. Where applicable Press Releases are available as MS Word downloads at the foot of each web page.

Click on a headline to read extended items in full (or where indicated by individual links)...

8th November 2007
Information for exhibitors - 2008 Festival
A huge thank you to all our exhibitors who contributed to the success of this year's Festival. If you wish to be considered for a stall for 2008, and are not currently on our database, please e.mail info@abergavennyfoodfestival.com. An on-line application form will be available in the New Year.

 

PHOTO GALLERY - 20th September 2007
CELEBRITY VISITORS JOIN THE CROWDS AT 2007 FESTIVAL
Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, author and TV presenter Kieth Floyd, the Patchwork Traditional Food Company's Rufus Carter, chef Angela Hartnett, and Primary Schools’ Cookery Competition judges and winners are the first to feature in our 2007 'photo gallery'. Click to view images

 

PRESS RELEASE - 19th September 2007
LOCAL CHILDREN STAR ATTRACTION AT ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL: The finals of this year’s Primary Schools’ Cookery Competition took place on Sunday 16 September in Abergavenny’s Victorian Market Hall. Performing to a rapt audience, Libby Smith, Lauren Deacon and Hannah McCormick delighted everyone with their culinary prowess. Libby prepared Chicken Kiev with rosemary new potatoes and salad, Hannah contributed salmon paté with hand-made oatcakes, and Lauren made a pasta bake. Read Press Release and view larger pictures...

 

NEWS ITEM - 19th September 2007
FESTIVAL 'BIG FOOD DEBATE' ON RADIO 4's 'FOOD PROGRAMME'
Chaired by BBC Radio 4's Shiela Dillon, the Abergavenny Food Festival's first conference debated the role of the festival and other similar 'foodie' events in shaping British food culture. The debate was recorded for the The Food Programme first broadcast on Sunday 16 Sepetember.

• Click here to listen to the broadcast online
• Additional information about 'The Big Food Debate' is available here

 

NEWS ITEM - 14th September 2007
ANGELIC VISION AT FOOD FEST'
Abergavenny Food Festival festivities kicked off with the annual Fanfare Community Supper in the Market Hall which featured the chance to see the eagerly awaited sculptures by local artist Bettina Reeves and her Arts Alive team. Click here for photos

 

NEWS ITEM - 11th September 2007
FOOD FESTVAL MERCHANDISE AT THE 'DOME'
Check out the Merchandise Stall for this year’s Festival t-shirts and aprons designed by Richard Hogg from Airside. In association with our merchandising partners Domino Records. Click here for more information/larger image

 

PRESS RELEASE - 6th September 2007
BUMPER BOOKINGS FOR THE BIG FOOD DEBATE
A capacity nationwide audience will attend the first conference in the history of the Abergavenny Food Festival to debate the role of the festival and other similar 'foodie' events in shaping British food culture. Read Press Release in full...

• Additional information about 'The Big Food Debate' is available here

NEWS ITEM - 23rd August 2007
BOOK SIGNINGS AT THE BOOK STALL IN THE MARKET HALL
Authors this year include: Anissa Helou; Jake Tilson; Allegra McEvedy; Giancarlo & Katie Caldesi; Joanna Blythman; James Fergusson; Andrew Whitley; Ian Walker; Tom Parker-Bowles; Simon Hopkinson; Franco Taruschio; Denis Murphy; Matthew Fort; Sally Butcher; Angela Hartnett; Gregg Wallace; Pete Brown; Ian Marchant; Sudi Piggott; Sophie Conran; James Osland; Mitch Tonks and Clarissa Dickson Wright.

• Click here to find out when author's are scheduled to be available (approx. times)

NEWS ITEM - 23rd August 2007
FESTIVAL SPEAKER FEATURES ON THE FOOD PROGRAMME
Baker and author of Bread Matters, Andrew Whitley was featured on a recent edition of BBC Radio 4's The Food Programme where he invited presenter Sheila Dillon into his kitchen to discuss the baking of low-yeast, slow fermented bread. Andrew will be appearing at this year's Festival on Sunday 16 September at the Angel Hotel (Wedgewood Room, 11.00am).

• Click here for details of Andrew Whitely's appearance at the Festival
• Click here to access BBC Radio's 4's Food Programme web page and to listen to the broadcast featuring Andrew Whitley (Originally broadcast on Sunday 19th August at 12:30)

PRESS RELEASE - 7th August 2007
Local children cook their way to centre-stage at Festival
The second round of the Primary Schools’ Children’s Cookery Competition took place on Wednesday 11 July. Read Press Release in full...

 

PRESS RELEASE - 13 JULY 2007
Feeding the Future
Described as "The most democratic of festivals, the most easygoing, the most celebratory" (Matthew Fort, The Guardian, Nov 2006), the ninth Abergavenny Food Festival will take place over the weekend of 15 and 16 September. Box Office goes live on Thursday 12 July.  To book tickets call the Borough Theatre on 01873 850 805 (Tues to Sat, 9.30am to 5.00pm).
Read Press Release in full...

 

PRESS RELEASE - 3 May 2007
The Most Democratic of Food Festivals
Head for the Welsh Borders over the weekend of 15 and 16 September for the ninth Abergavenny Food Festival.  The ‘Glastonbury of Food Festivals’ is known for its carnival atmosphere, with crowds thronging the streets enjoying the lively market ambience, complete with street performers and music. Read Press Release in full...

PRESS RELEASE - 16 April 2007
Distinctively different event highlights importance of
making market towns prosper
Festival Director, Martin Orbach, recently participated as a panel member at a one day ‘Retail Distinctiveness Event’, held in Alnwick in the North East (March 29). Read Press Release in full...

 

PREVIOUS YEARS' FESTIVALS IN THE MEDIA

Around Britain with a fork
Matthew Fort, The Guardian, Saturday November 18 2006

Sex and drugs and sausage rolls?
Carole Cadwalladr, The Observer, Sunday October 9 2005

Driving over leeks
Chris Stewart, The Guardian, Saturday September 18 2004

You can still visit last year's Festival website by clicking here