Hereford Food Festival

This was held at Hereford Racecourse, a lovely setting, overlooking the town and Hereford Cathedral.



My friend's husband on stage helping one of his protegees give her demonstration of her award-winning recipes. Rachel was SO nervous, poor lass.

The steak looked mouthwatering, and I can verify that the lovely pear dessert tasted every bit as good as it looked! I have the recipes so am going to try them out soon as we have a birthday coming up next month.


It was too busy to take photos of most of the stalls but I managed to sneak one in of this handsome chap - the Monkfish - who fortunately tastes far better than he looks!

Many stalls had sold out, which was excellent news for artisan and local foods. We had tastes of various things, and I bought some excellent Dragon Orchard cider and a Gregg's Pit perry which is just like champagne, and is going to be saved for Christmas.

The highlight for me was the Marcher Apple Network display of old apple varieties http://www.marcherapple.net/ I identified the old Welsh russet apple I have in the paddock (a leathercoat russet) and got to do a taste test on a very old apple called Pitmaston Pineapple, which I have yearned for for many years. I have decided to ask for young apple trees for my Christmas presents from the family this year, to be potted up and taken with us when we eventually downsize. I am having great fun choosing my shortlist.

These chaps were dressed up as French waiters, with false moustaches and even falser French accents!

It was a good day out and the Hairy Bikers demonstration was excellent! Everyone wanted to see them and apparently lots of people got turned away on the Saturday.

The food at my friend's house was absolutely sublime - I must try and emulate the wonderful array of curry dishes we had in the evening - I can manage the prawn dish and have the recipe for that, so am off to get prawns today . . .