Foodies flock to festival at RAF Cosford

The first ever food festival at RAF Cosford Museum on Saturday and Sunday proved to have something to please the palates of all visitors.

More than 70 independent food and drink sellers, local businesses and brands were on hand at the event and a range of produce was on offer from baked foods, chutneys and cheeses to premium coffees and British game.

Continental cuisine from the likes of Spain, France, the Caribbean and India was among the attractions with the thirsty catered for by wines, ciders, beers and liquors which were on sale.

The sun shone on the festival's opening day, with the weather remaining mainly dry yesterday.

While the weather did not affect people's enjoyment of the show on the ground, a planned flypast on Sunday by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota had to be cancelled due to strong winds, meaning the aircraft could not take off from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. But the flypast did take place on Saturday.

Organisers said they were delighted with the turnout and would now be looking to turn the festival into an annual event.

Michelle Morgans, spokeswoman for the museum, said: "It has gone brilliantly. We had just over 3,000 visitors on Saturday and just over 3,500 on Sunday.

"We are absolutely delighted. To be honest, we didn't have any kind of expectations because we have never done anything like this before. We were hopeful people would receive it well.

"There has been a great atmosphere on both days and a brilliant turnout. We have managed to escape the showers. It started raining at 5.20pm on Saturday and the show had finished at 5pm. It was dry and sunny again on Sunday morning."

She said the event could become an annual fixture.

"The staff have really enjoyed the event and we have had great feedback from visitors as well," she said. "We are over-the-moon with the response and now hope to make the festival an annual event."

Throughout the weekend visitors were entertained with cooking demonstrations and exhibitors including Apley Farm Shop, Sugar and Spice, Robinson's Butchers and Delicatessen and Smiths Bakery.

Visitors were able to get tips from experts at a series of talks and cooking demos before sampling some of the food on offer.

Cookware stalls were also present for those who felt so inspired they wanted to recreate dishes at home.