AFTER days of torrential rain, the weather decided to be kind to the organisers of this year?s Tavistock Food Festival. Chairman Jeffery Stackhouse said that when they were erecting the marquee a couple of days before, they feared the worst. But apart from a little light rain at the end of Saturday the weather was fine. This was a relief after last year?s deluge. Mr Stackhouse said the event, in its fourth year, had gone ?exceptionally well?. A record 9,300 visitors had poured through the gates, and all enjoyed sampling wine, cheese, cider, venison, chillis, ice-cream, chutneys and a host of other local produce. There were more than 100 exhibition stands offering the very best of quality food and drink from South West producers. Pyman Pates, of Plymouth, newcomers to the festival, said they ?couldn?t believe it?. ?We sold all our stock by 4.30pm on Saturday and had to restock for Sunday. The same amount of stock lasted us three days at Devon County Show. ?Tavistock is an incredible show full of serious ?foodies? who come here to do some serious buying,? they said. BBC Radio Devon broadcaster David Fitzgerald presented his show direct from the festival from 9am to noon on Saturday. The show featured live interviews with exhibitors, celebrity chefs and visitors and gave a flavour of what was on offer, attracting extra visitors. An additional feature this year was a cookery competition for primary schools, organised and hosted by master chef Peter Gorton. The winning recipes were cooked during the festival by Peter Gorton and judged by a panel of celebrity chefs. The winners were Compton School, Plymouth. The 12 celebrity chef demonstrations were a huge success and each session saw upwards of 275 food enthusiasts entertained by both local chefs and regional celebrities such as Michael Caines and the Tanner Brothers. The Kiddies? Kitchen proved a popular attraction and organisers are planning to expand this facility in 2008. The festival site filled Bedford car park, with a large proportion under cover. There was a demonstration theatre and a new large seating and eating area. The new layout, with an open walkway and food village, was popular with exhibitors and visitors alike. Duke?s Café was kept busy serving light refreshments and many visitors commented on how they liked the ?village square? atmosphere. The Cool Jazz Café served regional food products and two local guitarists provided easy listening music. The Children?s Hospice South West will receive funds raised by food demonstrations and hopefully a donation from the festival. Tavistock Lions and Round Table?s park and ride scheme from Crowndale Road proved successful. Mr Stackhouse said the signage will be improved for next year. By the end of the festival, more than 24 exhibitors had rebooked for 2008. Dick Spackman, a festival director, said, ?We put a lot of thought into designing a festival which pleases both exhibitors and visitors alike and I think this year has truly achieved that objective. We are now looking forward to our 2008 festival, which will be on July 26 and 27.?
