Organisers of the festival taking place in the spacious grounds of Warbrook House in Eversley, near Hook in Hampshire, has lined up a diverse range of artisan, local and national food and equipment suppliers, as well as a host of foodie debates.

Craft Guild national vice chairman Lee Maycock said this year’s improvements included an outdoor showcase blending chef demos, including one on game from TV presenter and chef Mike Robinson and fresh produce from specialist herb and micro-leaf grower Westlands, with trends discussions and debates from expert speakers on a centre stage under a ‘big top’ marquee.

“This will be complemented by even more demos and foraging tours with our foragers Stuart Smith and Justin Ballard, incorporating clay pigeon shooting into their exploration of fungi, mushrooms and nature’s wild bounty as a new activity for the festival.”

He said a bigger farmers’ market for this year would be arranged in seven main areas – fish, meat, cheese, deli, fresh produce, drink and equipment – with mini workshops in each. “We don’t want it all to get so big it becomes just another corporate ‘trade show’, but it is great to be able to bring in more fantastic suppliers and experts in their field,” he said.

Everyone from chefs and caterers to farmers and growers are being invited to register for the festival, which will be chaired by food industry and media consultant Clive Beddall.

“The festival is a unique opportunity for food lovers across the industry to celebrate the seasons, wild food and harvest, and broaden their culinary knowledge with top chefs in a relaxed, friendly environment, getting away from the ‘stuffy’ conference approach,” added Maycock.

UCFF has a great line up of exhibitors this year including:
ACMS Trading (Kavis)
Active Food Systems / Synergy Grill
Carroll's Heritage Potatoes
Clifton Food Range
Continental Chef Supplies
Danebury Vineyards
Essential Cuisine
Futura Foods
Global Foodservice Equipment
Gram UK
Growers Direct
JDM Food Group
Koppert Cress
Peka Kroef
PGI Welsh Lamb
Reynolds Catering Supplies
Welco Foods
Westlands

To register for a place (£99 + VAT for Craft Guild members/£199 + VAT for non-members) visit www.cookeryandfoodfestival.co.uk or to find out more call 01293 854403 or email [email protected] and join the conversation on Twitter @cookeryfoodfest, #UCFF2013.