Dates for Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink 2017 have been announced which sees the event move to the Early May Bank Holiday. The award winning food and drink festival, which celebrates the very best produce of the south west will run from Saturday 29th April 2017 to Monday 1st May, running for all three days of the bank holiday. An established favourite for all foodies, the festival attracts an international audience with visitors attending from far and wide to buy delicious goodies, watch top chefs in the live Festival Cookery Theatre and get involved in workshops and demonstrations.

Returning to the dramatic Exeter Castle Courtyard and pretty Northernhay Gardens in the very heart of the city of Exeter, the Festival will kick off on from 6.30pm on Friday 28th April with the first of three nights of live music and delectable hot food and local drinks. From the Saturday, daytime events will kick off with demos from top chefs, workshops, children’s activities and more than 100 artisanal producers from the region in the Food & Drink marquees in Northernhay Gardens selling a range of mouth-watering products from traditional cheeses, meats, preserves and ciders to modern twists on gins, charcuterie, ice-cream, oils, coffee and much more. Visitors to the Festival can enjoy the opportunity to meet the producers and ask them about the food and drink they sell.

Each year, the Festival hosts a number of interactive workshops and food-themed activities for children and adults alike. A dedicated children’s programme includes Fun Kitchen cookery classes, farm animals, story-telling and craft activities. The Festival aims to help children understand more about their food, an awareness of where it comes from and instil a love of cooking. The Darts Farm Taste and Knowledge Teepee’s will once again host a packed schedule of informative and fun workshops, demonstrations and talks on topical food and drink themes.

Exeter Castle Courtyard will be filled with hot food stalls and stands selling local beers, ales and wines. Enjoy a delicious lunch while local musicians take to the stage to entertain visitors.

Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink is a not for profit event.  For more information or to buy tickets visit: www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk.