Picnic and Panic at the 2009 Herefordshire Food Festival

A two-day programme of events aimed at everyone, from gastro-tourists through to family groups, has just been announced for this year's Herefordshire Food Festival – which will be held at Hereford Racecourse on October 24 and 25.

Now widely recognised as one of the biggest and best annual food festivals in the UK, the event will feature popular TV chef Gino D'Acampo, two food demonstration areas, a “slow food” section, a secure children's area where they can have “fun with food,” and plenty of opportunities for “grown-ups” to try-and-buy some of the region's finest local produce over one mouth-watering weekend.

And to "reduce food miles," free transport is being offered from Hereford Railway station to the racecourse.

Born in Napoli, D’Acampo inherited his grandfather's love of cooking and entered the Luigi de Medici Catering College at the age of thirteen.

He graduated with masters and continued to develop his skills through the kitchens of restaurants in Europe, including Perignon in Nice and as Head Chef at Sylvester Stallone’s Mambo King in Marbella. He arrived in England in 1995 where he worked at The Orchard Restaurant in Hampstead and the Cambio Restaurant in Guildford.

Gino is now the owner of a leading supplier of Italian ingredients to the UK food industry (Bontà Italia Ltd); and has appeared on UK TV Food, as a guest on Great Food Live, Saturday Kitchen, and Ready Steady Cook.  Visitors to the Herefordshire Food Festival, meanwhile, will be able to see him in action in The Celebrity Food Theatre, preparing some exquisite dishes using local produce.  Tickets to see Gino in action can be booked in advance, on-line.

And while local chefs and Young Chef winners will be demonstrating their culinary skills in The Food Theatre, more than 100 local producers will be on-hand to talk to people who are passionate about food in the nearby Food Pavilion

Other highlights for “foodies” will include Passionate About Fish – aimed at tempting the crowds with everything from fish filleting to preparing mouth-watering dishes; a bustling farmers’ market; and displays by both the Marcher Apple Network and Beekeepers Association – local groups of enthusiasts who are keen to share their knowledge of the history of the old variety of apple and pear orchards in the county as well as the role of the bees in pollinating the orchards.

Family groups, meanwhile, will be kept busy by numerous food craft activities for children and by a food adventure trail.

And organisers have also booked “The Panic Circus” to entertain the younger visitors to this year’s Food Festival.  Offering “entertainment in The Big Top for all ages.” The Panic Circus will let youngsters try their hands at circus skills, without the animals!

The Food Festival will also mark the conclusion of the 11th annual “Flavours of Herefordshire” awards scheme, which, recognises and rewards the use-and-promotion of local produce.

Further details can be found at www.visitherefordshire.co.uk.