Food fans get teeth into festival
Families were given the chance to try new and unusual food and drink, listen to fantastic music and even learn a thing or two during the Cosford Food Festival.
Against a backdrop of tanker and fighter planes, thousands of foodies turned out to sample treats from near and far at the two-day event.
Last year saw 8,000 people attend and bosses at RAF Cosford Museum said they were expecting to at least match that in 2017.
With everything from exotic spices and gourmet chutneys to tea cakes and ice cream, there was something on offer for all the family.
Abi Betteridge, public events manager at the museum, said on Saturday: “We’ve had a really good turnout. Last year we saw our numbers double, and we weren’t sure what would happen this year but we’re certainly keeping up with those numbers. We have a lot of events we do at the museum, but this is to attract a new audience, people that wouldn’t usually have come to the museum. We’ve got all sorts of different vendors, more than 90, and a lot of new ones. Then we have our live cookery demonstrations. We’ll obviously be back next year – the dates should be announced before the end of 2017.” It’ll be bigger and better, and we’re going to just keeping doing what we’re doing.”
As well as the variety of vendors, the food festival had live cooking demonstrations, a circus skills play area for children and the RAF Stem Bus, which helps youngsters learn about science and maths.
Entertainment was provided by Bluebird Belles and The Dirty Rockin’ Scoundrels, who offered up music from the 40s, 50s and 60s. Richard and Jo Carless, along with their son Howie, thought the food show made a great family day out.
Richard, 40, said: “It’s a joyous occasion, terrific music and lots of food.”
“I think Boycie would be looking at these aeroplanes wondering if he could fit one on his forecourt. That’s the other thing about being here, these fantastic planes.
“A lot of people have come across, saying I can’t believe you’re here. I say I can’t believe it either!
“People have been very complimentary. I was very lucky to be a part of that series, and I’ve just come back from Spain and I’ve done a new series of Benidorm so people have been asking about that. All these years later, it’s very flattering people are still so taken with Only Fools and Horses.”
Although visitors to the event were happy with the variety on offer, stallholders were just as complimentary about the festival, with many saying it’s their favourite of the foodie calendar.
Charlotte Walters, of Dinkiez, who sell a variety of teacakes at events across Shropshire and the Black Country, said: “The footfall here is fantastic. There’s loads and loads of people coming through the door and people are enjoying themselves.”
Heather Williams from Heather’s Harvest, from Shrewsbury, added: “We’re having great fun. We come every year, so we know what to expect and it’s usually a massive footfall, lots of people and amazingly great food.
“It’s amazing – it’s organised well, there’s never a hold-up. It’s a brilliant venue.”
Meanwhile Pat Parkes, of the Shropshire Ice Cream Company from Telford, commented: “There’s a really nice atmosphere, and there’s a lot here to do for every member of the family. People are staying here all day, which is what everybody wants.”
Shelley Birch, of Babbaloos Bakery in Kingswinford, said the organisers’ selection policy ensured a great day.
“The atmosphere is the best thing about Cosford Food Festival,” said the baker from the Black Country.
“It’s really well organised, they’re very picky about who trades here. They want a lot of variation, whereas lots of food festivals just want numbers.
“Cosford wants different foods – they want to know everything about your food so that literally the best of the best turn up. That’s what makes it special.”
