Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1042" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Wells-Food-Festival-2023-CREDIT-John-Law.jpg" alt="Wells Food Festival somerset" class="wp-image-100547" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Wells-Food-Festival-2023-CREDIT-John-Law.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Wells-Food-Festival-2023-CREDIT-John-Law-800x556.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Wells-Food-Festival-2023-CREDIT-John-Law-1000x695.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Wells-Food-Festival-2023-CREDIT-John-Law-400x278.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Wells-Food-Festival-2023-CREDIT-John-Law-768x534.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo John Law</figcaption></figure>



Coming in hotter than spicy chilli marmalade (home-crafted, small batch, natch) – yet cooler than a paleta (Mexican ice lolly) – it&#8217;s the annual <a href="https://wellsfoodfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wells Food Festival</a>, taking place in England&#8217;s smallest city on Sun 13 October. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-it">What is it? </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1322" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/traditional-paella-from-the-street-food-stall-Goierri-Foods-PHOTO-John-Law.jpg" alt="traditional paella from the street food stall, Goierri Foods PHOTO John Law" class="wp-image-100548" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/traditional-paella-from-the-street-food-stall-Goierri-Foods-PHOTO-John-Law.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/traditional-paella-from-the-street-food-stall-Goierri-Foods-PHOTO-John-Law-800x705.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/traditional-paella-from-the-street-food-stall-Goierri-Foods-PHOTO-John-Law-1000x881.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/traditional-paella-from-the-street-food-stall-Goierri-Foods-PHOTO-John-Law-400x353.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/traditional-paella-from-the-street-food-stall-Goierri-Foods-PHOTO-John-Law-768x677.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Paella, Goierri Foods. Photo John Law</figcaption></figure>



It&#8217;s a foodie&#8217;s paradise, that&#8217;s what! Now in its 12th year, the Wells Food Festival, sponsored by Charlie Bigham&#8217;s showcases around 200 of the finest artisan food, drink and homeware producers from the South West and beyond. That&#8217;s not all; there&#8217;s street food, wine tasting, a children’s zone, live music and – for the first time – The Wells Food Festival Photography Competition. It&#8217;s free to enter, too. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-is-it">Where is it?</h2>



The Festival takes place from 10.30am–4.30pm along the high street, into the medieval Market Place and the town hall, along the Bishop&#8217;s Palace moat and into the recreation ground.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/00-wells-food-fest-map-458225186_868285025505323_7156262174081015350_n.jpg" alt="wells food festival " class="wp-image-100544" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/00-wells-food-fest-map-458225186_868285025505323_7156262174081015350_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/00-wells-food-fest-map-458225186_868285025505323_7156262174081015350_n-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/00-wells-food-fest-map-458225186_868285025505323_7156262174081015350_n-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/00-wells-food-fest-map-458225186_868285025505323_7156262174081015350_n-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/00-wells-food-fest-map-458225186_868285025505323_7156262174081015350_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/00-wells-food-fest-map-458225186_868285025505323_7156262174081015350_n-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/00-wells-food-fest-map-458225186_868285025505323_7156262174081015350_n-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-on-the-menu">What’s on the menu? </h2>



Every kind of artisan produce from top notch traditional favourites like charcuterie, cheese, sausages, pies and cakes to the more unusual. Microbatch miso, those Mexican ice lollies and edible seaweed, anyone? <a href="https://wellsfoodfestival.co.uk/artisan-market/artisan-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">See all the traders here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2114" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Traditional-jams-chutneys-and-preserves-from-GingerBeards-Preserves.jpg" alt="GingerBeard's Preserves Wells Food Fest Somerset" class="wp-image-100552" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Traditional-jams-chutneys-and-preserves-from-GingerBeards-Preserves.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Traditional-jams-chutneys-and-preserves-from-GingerBeards-Preserves-568x800.jpg 568w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Traditional-jams-chutneys-and-preserves-from-GingerBeards-Preserves-710x1000.jpg 710w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Traditional-jams-chutneys-and-preserves-from-GingerBeards-Preserves-284x400.jpg 284w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Traditional-jams-chutneys-and-preserves-from-GingerBeards-Preserves-768x1082.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Traditional-jams-chutneys-and-preserves-from-GingerBeards-Preserves-1090x1536.jpg 1090w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Traditional-jams-chutneys-and-preserves-from-GingerBeards-Preserves-1453x2048.jpg 1453w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Traditional jams, chutneys and preserves from GingerBeard&#8217;s Preserves</figcaption></figure>



A celebration of English wine. Meet the people growing the grapes and making the wine at the Aldwick Estate, Oatley, Road Green, Watford and Woodchester Valley Vineyards. Discover why English wine is booming (just taste the wine and you&#8217;ll see) and buy a glass – or a bottle – if you fancy more.



Street food and drink from around the world, from West Country venison burgers and posh cheese toasties made from Somerset cheese to Tibetan momos, Spanish paella and Trinidadian doubles. Wash it down with locally distilled gin, fermented kombucha, beer, coffee or cider from the oldest working cider mill in the UK. <a href="https://wellsfoodfestival.co.uk/street-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whet your appetite here.</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1064" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/authentic-Thai-street-food-from-Secret-Recipe-2-PHOTO-John-Law.jpg" alt="Thai food from Secret Recipe wells food fest somerset" class="wp-image-100551" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/authentic-Thai-street-food-from-Secret-Recipe-2-PHOTO-John-Law.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/authentic-Thai-street-food-from-Secret-Recipe-2-PHOTO-John-Law-800x567.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/authentic-Thai-street-food-from-Secret-Recipe-2-PHOTO-John-Law-1000x709.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/authentic-Thai-street-food-from-Secret-Recipe-2-PHOTO-John-Law-400x284.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/authentic-Thai-street-food-from-Secret-Recipe-2-PHOTO-John-Law-768x545.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Thai food from Secret Recipe</figcaption></figure>



Stuff for kids: activities organised by Wells Cathedral School, Millfield and 5th/7th Wells Scout Group in the Children&#8217;s Zone, apple cinnamon swirls baking sessions in the Fun Kitchen; and a Children’s Trail around the festival.



The swinging sounds of The Harlem Rhythm Cats on the bandstand and local musician Sam Evans&#8217; blend of swing, soul, folk, blues and reggae by the English wine marquee.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2114" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Ellises-Farm-Field-Kitchen-providing-Gloucester-Old-Spot-pork-flatbreads-and-burgers.jpg" alt="Ellises Farm Field Kitchen providing Gloucester Old Spot pork flatbreads and burgers Wells Food Festival Somerset" class="wp-image-100555" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Ellises-Farm-Field-Kitchen-providing-Gloucester-Old-Spot-pork-flatbreads-and-burgers.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Ellises-Farm-Field-Kitchen-providing-Gloucester-Old-Spot-pork-flatbreads-and-burgers-568x800.jpg 568w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Ellises-Farm-Field-Kitchen-providing-Gloucester-Old-Spot-pork-flatbreads-and-burgers-710x1000.jpg 710w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Ellises-Farm-Field-Kitchen-providing-Gloucester-Old-Spot-pork-flatbreads-and-burgers-284x400.jpg 284w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Ellises-Farm-Field-Kitchen-providing-Gloucester-Old-Spot-pork-flatbreads-and-burgers-768x1082.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Ellises-Farm-Field-Kitchen-providing-Gloucester-Old-Spot-pork-flatbreads-and-burgers-1090x1536.jpg 1090w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Ellises-Farm-Field-Kitchen-providing-Gloucester-Old-Spot-pork-flatbreads-and-burgers-1453x2048.jpg 1453w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ellises Farm Field Kitchen cooking up Gloucester Old Spot pork flatbreads and burgers </figcaption></figure>



Local artisan crafts, like candles, beeswax wraps and stuff hand made from wood.



The launch of Charlie Bigham&#8217;s brand new cookbook Supper with Charlie Bigham, containing over 100 of his favourite recipes. He&#8217;s going to be signing copies on the day with proceeds from sales going to <a href="https://chefsinschools.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chefs in Schools</a>, a charity helping transform school food and food education.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2248" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Charlie-will-be-signing-copies-of-his-new-book-PHOTO-David-Loftus.jpg" alt="charlie Bigham's Supper with Charile Bigham Wells Food Fest" class="wp-image-100540" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Charlie-will-be-signing-copies-of-his-new-book-PHOTO-David-Loftus.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Charlie-will-be-signing-copies-of-his-new-book-PHOTO-David-Loftus-534x800.jpg 534w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Charlie-will-be-signing-copies-of-his-new-book-PHOTO-David-Loftus-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Charlie-will-be-signing-copies-of-his-new-book-PHOTO-David-Loftus-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Charlie-will-be-signing-copies-of-his-new-book-PHOTO-David-Loftus-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Charlie-will-be-signing-copies-of-his-new-book-PHOTO-David-Loftus-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/Charlie-will-be-signing-copies-of-his-new-book-PHOTO-David-Loftus-1367x2048.jpg 1367w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Discover how communities can tackle the challenges of food-related social issues in the The Food for Thought marquee, with the help of charities and organisations like Healthy Somerset, Free Blood Pressure, Help for Homeless, the Shepton Community Fridge, Roots Connections, Wells Storehouse and The Blue School.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-wells-food-festival-photography-competition">The Wells Food Festival Photography Competition</h2>



Under 18s: take some photos along the theme of Apples &amp; Fruit and email to <a href="mailto:photocompetition@wells-cathedral-school.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photocompetition@wells-cathedral-school.com</a> along with your name, age and a photo caption by Sun 29 Sept. You could have your work on display in the town hall or win a prize.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-to-park">Where to park </h2>



Short stay: South Street, Union Street. Long stay: High Street (access via South Street), Palace Fields, Princes Road, Priory Road, Tucker Street, Whiting&nbsp;Way&nbsp;(Waitrose). All day parking: Palace Fields (access via Silver&nbsp;Street) Free parking: Mundy’s Meadow (Mountery&nbsp;Road), Old Mill (Cathedral&nbsp;Avenue). Free (limited time) parking: Morrisons (East Somerset Way), Tesco (Tucker&nbsp;Street).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-download-a-festival-map"><a href="https://wellsfoodfestival.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Festival-Map-2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Download a Festival map</a></h2>



See you there?

Tuck into the Wells Food Festival!

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