Shropshire Star

Food and fun at Cosford festival

Food, fun and flying came together as families turned out in the blazing sun for the second Cosford Food Festival.

Published

A host of local food and drink producers gathered under the wings of vintage aircraft in the grounds of the RAF museum to show off a mouthwatering range of wares, and give demonstrations on how to make and cook the finest handmade foods.

There were demonstrations from chef Danny Silcock and artisan baker Robert Swift, among others, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight did a Dakota fly-past on both Saturday and Sunday, with the air museum also open to festival goers.

Heather Williams of Heather's Harvest, Shrewsbury, was there selling a range of jarred goods, including her Spiced Carrot Chutney which has won four awards.

She said: "The weather cooled off a bit on Sunday - it was really hot on Saturday. It's a good show, a great location with a lot for the kids to do which is what makes it a nice family day out - and business has been good."

Julia Wenlock of Toots Sweets demonstrated how to make chocolate fondant with a melting middle and an eaten mess with a twist, using chocolate meringues and basil.

She said: "It's been really lovely. The demos have been really popular, and the flyby was really good - it was amazing to see how everyone flooded the grass area just to look up.

At the Kidz Kitchen, Bridget Kimber and Cheryl Bradburne were put groups of up to 20 children through their paces.

Mrs Bradburne said: "We made Rocky Road bars with a poppy decoration on top and bread made with poppy seeds - everything has a poppy theme.

"All the money we make will go to the Royal British Legion and the children are having great fun. We had a two year old who made a lemon cheesecake yesterday."

Father Doug May, 42, had travelled from Cannock with his son Alistair, eight, who had been looking forward to the Kidz Kitchen before they even arrived.

He said: "It's been excellent so far, the kids are enjoying it. It like it because you get the local producers, people who are really proud of what they produce."

Tom Moore, barman at the Shrewsbury Arms in Albrighton, was there representing both the re-opened pub and the beers it sells.

He said: "We cooked gourmet burgers, New York chicken burgers, Mexican burgers, all sorts. We're also representing Wood's Brewery (of Wistanstow, near Craven Arms) - I've always been an avid supporter of Wood's, I've always enjoyed a nice pint of theirs."

Mandy Robinson of Robinson's Butchers and Delicatessen, Tettenhall, attended with her husband Stephen, who was demonstrating how to cut lamb.

She said: "We've started to do more shows, but this was our first last year, and we came back as it was really successful."

The festivities were capped off with live acoustic performances from Anthony Doyle, Rebecca Grace with JCjazz, as well as crafts activities with the RSPB.

LAST WORDS TOM. COSFORD FOOD FESTIVAL, RAF MUSEUM COSFORD. Artisan breads from Jayne Swift, left and Lucy Jenkins, from Swifts Bakery, Clee Hill. PIC BY BOB GREAVES. 27/7/2014
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