AN ANNUAL showcase for the East of England’s food and drink producers is under way.

The 18th Feast East festival is being staged at Chilford Hall, Linton, between Haverhill and Cambridge, and is open to the public from 10am until 5pm today and tomorrow.

Around 90 local producers from across the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire are represented at the event, around one in 10 of them exhibiting at the show for the first time.

Well-known local businesses returning for another year include Musks Sausages, St Peter’s Brewery and The Artisan Smokehouse who were interviewed at last year’s show and appeared on BBC Radio 4s Food programme

And as well as sampling and buying from the varied stands, visitors will also be able to enjoy demonstrations, throughout the two days from The Events Show Kitchen, headed by Hector Bunting who will be compering the event and allowing visitors to enjoy seeing the ingredients on offer at the show being used in innovative ways. There will also be other demonstrations throughout the weekend, including wine and beer tasting., as well as showcasing some of the best restaurants from across the region

Emma Owen, co-director of Oakleigh Fairs, which is organising the event on behalf of regional food and drink group Tastes of Anglia, said: “Feast East really is a one-stop shop for anyone who is interested in food, drink and related products – from the enthusiastic amateur, through to the gastronome and bon viveur as well as the professional trade buyer from across the industry from the independent to the multiple retailers. But really it’s about Real Food – whatever reason you need!’