Food festival savours sweet taste of success
8:58am Thursday 9th September 2010 in News
BOLTON’S Food and Drink Festival has been hailed a massive success after it attracted 75,000 visitors — 25,000 more than last year.
The four-day August Bank Holiday foodie spectacular saw a series of live cooking demos from top celebrity chefs Gino D’Acampo, James Martin and The Hairy Bikers.
And council bosses have now vowed to make next year’s event even bigger and better after people flocked to Bolton from across the country.
Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, said: “It’s the biggest festival we’ve ever had in Bolton and the number of visitors shows it has been a major success.
“The feedback we’ve had from all the traders, the public and town centre retailers has been fantastic.
“All the celebrity chefs have gone down a storm and they’ve all said how much they’ve loved coming to Bolton.
“We are determined to make the festival one of the key foodie events in the country and continue to build on its success for years to come.”
The event, organised by Bolton Council and sponsored by Warburtons, Bluemantle and Love Food Hate Waste, had a speciality market featuring the North West’s finest produce while food from around the world took over Victoria Square.
Melanie Good, from the company Cheese, Cheese, Cheese said: “It’s gone really well.
“The people have been really interested and there’s been a great atmosphere and I’ve sold lots of produce.”
Thomasina Miers launched the festival on the Friday and the Hairy Bikers were the main attraction on the second day.
The TV culinary duo — Simon King and Dave Myers — said: “We had a wonderful time at the festival.”
Italian chef Gino D’Acampo entertained the crowds with his demos on the Sunday while James Martin was the main draw on Monday.
Gino said: “Festivals like this are probably the only chance I get to meet the public.
“The people in Bolton are brilliant and very friendly.”
James added: “I love this place, and coming to Bolton almost feels like coming home.
“The festival has got bigger and better.
“I love the interaction with people at festivals and it’s vital that people show their support for events like this.”
