Visitors to east Suffolk this weekend were able to sample some of the mouth-watering delights on offer at the seaside town’s food and drink festival.

The 16-day event, which started nine years ago, kicked off at Snape Maltings but will include more than 50 fringe events at different locations.

A variety of food and drink producers from around the county are taking part in this year’s event, which also includes talks and masterclasses from celebrity chefs.

Presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Food Programme Sheila Dillon is a regular visitor to the festival and was enthusiastic in her praise for this year’s event.

“The Aldeburgh Food Festival is a microcosm of what makes the Suffolk food economy so remarkable,” she said. “You see the entrepreneurial energy, imagination and astonishing quality all brought together to produce some of the very best food in Britain.

“It is this web of Suffolk producers and retailers working together that keeps money in the area – creating jobs, attracting young people into the food business and producing the key ingredients that bring tourists to the area – delicious food and drink.”

The festival’s president, Lady Caroline Cranbrook, said: “This year’s festival has been a fantastic success. All we had hoped for and more.

“It has been wonderful to see so many people of all ages enjoying the very best food and drink which Suffolk has to offer.

“The feedback from the producers who have attended nationally acclaimed festivals such as Abergavenney, Ludlow and even the BBC Good Food Show say that this Festival in their opinion is by far the best.

“What is also exciting and vitally important is that it the producers have made record sales. This means that the whole local economy is benefitting. More sales means more jobs – a win-win story.”

Awards for best new Suffolk product 2014 were given to Kenton Hall Longhorn Beef who won first place for their salt beef. Runners-up were Maximus Fish for their coffee cured smoked salmon and Fielding Cottage for their goat’s cheese. Award for best producer stand went to Hadleys Dairy Products.

Whet your appetite for the rest of the festival with a look through our gallery.