Michelin star chef Nathan Davies headlines this year’s Lampeter Food Festival which will showcase the wonderful variety of local food and drink producers in Ceredigion and former Dyfed counties on Saturday, July 29.
Held on the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) campus in Lampeter, the festival will be open free of charge from 10am until 5pm and is expected to attract around 10,000 visitors.
Patrick Holden, CBE, founder and chief executive of the Sustainable Food Trust and local farmer and producer of Hafod cheese, will perform the official opening at 12.30pm.
Using ‘Back to its Roots’ as its strapline is particularly appropriate for the festival at a time when sustainable food and farming have become even more important.
The festival explores how the relationships between pasture and plate, veg plot and cooking pot and people and their community resources are key to closing the loop in sustainable food and farming.
There will be a special ‘Blas Ein Bro’ feature this year with a dedicated area for ‘Taste of Local’ producers.
The cookery corner kicks off at 10am with Nathan Davies, owner of SY23 in Aberystwyth, who will also be promoting his debut book ‘On Fire’.
The cookery talent continues with the Tir Glas Young Chef competition winner, Slow Food Ambassador for Wales Gareth Johns, author and No Dig gardener Stephanie Hafferty, Huw Morgan from Coleg Ceredigion’s Catering College supported by current catering students, Alex Cook from Llandeilo and Gareth Richards from Cegin Gareth.
Additional events will be held in the University Old Hall and Library to inform and inspire.
The Old Hall programme includes: 9am – 11am: Ashley of Dancing Tree Sound is hosting a series of seated Wellness Gong Baths, to relax the body and quiet the mind. 11.30am – 12.15pm: Tir Glas staff members Carwyn Graves and Barny Haughton will host a Q&A session on the future of sustainable food and farming with an update on the developments. 1pm – 4pm:University departments are hosting The ‘Food Pirates’ charting a course for Sustainable Food Innovation and stirring up recipes for change.
The Library programme is: 12.30pm – 4pm: Gwerth Gŵlan / The Worth of Wool (presentation by Deborah Mercer at 2pm). 12.30pm – 4pm: Special Collection Exhibition – A Feast from Nature.
A children’s fun corner will be located near the Entertainment Marquee where visitors can choose from a range of musical interludes.
A festival raffle includes a top prize voucher worth £350 towards a Bluestone holiday, Sunday lunches for two at the Falcondale Hotel, Lampeter and the Wynnstay Hotel in Machynlleth, a copy of Davies’ debut book, a Cegin Gareth food hamper and an £80 voucher from the Harbourmaster Hotel, Aberaeron.
The festival promises to be a great day out for all ages with ample parking on Pontfaen field and a level, short walk through the town to the festival location on campus. Parking is provided on-site for Blue Badge holders.
For further information contact [email protected] or visit our website www.lampeterevents.co.uk .
