Organisers of Market Drayton's Ginger & Spice Festival vow to make 2018 event even better

It comes after the inaugural event in the town received glowing praise from Environment Secretary Michael Gove and was announced the winner of the Love British Food 2017 competition.

The festival ran in September and championed the town’s culinary heritage and historical links to spices, food and gingerbread as well as promoting local food and drinks producers, suppliers and other food-related organisations and community groups.

The festival was the unanimous winner chosen by a panel of prominent judges led by Mr Gove, who will be presenting the organisers with a hand-crafted award.

Jubilant festival director Julia Roberts said: “What we did after this year’s festival was post event analysis and sent out questionnaires to consult the general public.

“The feedback was very positive and they want much more of the same next year.

“We were delighted with the turnout. Everything sold out what was paid for.

“The town council did back us with a grant of £300 which was really helpful towards promoting the event.

“The event celebrates the culinary heritage of the town as well as incorporates a mix of comedy and music. Next year there will be more pop-up restaurants and classes with experts preparing food.”

The next Ginger and Spice Festival will take place from September 26 to 29 next year. Ms Roberts said they will be making announcements in January about who will be headlining next year’s event.

“There will be lots of opportunities for volunteers and sponsorship,” she added.

The inspired programme of celebrations over four days at this year’s event included an eclectic mix of activities including ‘The Pickles Spice Trail’– an educational heritage trail and competition related to food tastings and questions found in tearooms, cafes, pubs, restaurants, shops and the museum.

As well as a pop up restaurant showcasing British alternatives to spices, there was a foraging walk around the town, a spicy street market, cookery demonstrations, educational outreach activities about spices for children and adults, live music, a comedy food show with George Egg, beer tasting, a gingerbread baking contest and more.

Commenting on this award-winning festival, Mr Gove said: “While all entrants showed tremendous imagination and enthusiasm for championing Britain’s high quality, great tasting food, the ginger and spice festival showed real ingenuity by getting the whole community involved in celebrating the area’s culinary heritage. They are a worthy winner.”

Councillor Matthew Erwin, mayor of Market Drayton, added: “Not only is this a great achievement for the team but also for the town itself. A pot-pourri of food, comedy and music was enthusiastically received and we look forward to next year’s event with mouth-watering anticipation.”