A REGIONAL food and drink showcase is set to welcome a host of new producers as it expands to take in the whole weekend.

The 18th annual Feast East Food Festival is at Chilford Hall, Linton, Cambridgeshire, and opens to the public from 1pm to 5pm on Friday and over Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

The 18th Annual Feast East Food Festival, which takes place once again at Chilford Hall, is set to be bigger and better than ever with up to 90 local producers represented from across all six counties of East Anglia – Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire, organisers say. A tenth of these are first time exhibitors.

The event is a showcase for everything from damson coulis, to rapeseed mayonnaise and handmade chutneys as well as locally produced wines, beers and other spirits. Well known local businesses who are returning to the show include Musks Sausages, St Peter’s Brewery and The Artisan Smokehouse.

Show organisers, Oakleigh Fairs, who organise the show on behalf of Tastes of Anglia, are delighted to announce newcomers including Lakeland Creamerie who will be showcasing their gourmet Norfolk-made fresh-cream, My Specialities with their alcohol infused speciality marmalades, Crush Foods with as well as cold pressed rapeseed will also be bringing other infused oils, and the Great British Sausage Company with their award –winning 100% British sausages.

Also new for this year, is that the show will be open all weekend – including Sunday.

And as well as sampling and buying from the varied stands, visitors will also be able to enjoy demonstrations, throughout the two days that the show is open to the public from The Events Show Kitchen, headed up 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, 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.”

Tickets: Available at the gate or for advance tickets at discounted rates www.oakleighfairs.co.uk/feast-east/ or to register for trade tickets email: marilyn@tastesofanglia.com