Food and Wine in an English Summer Garden

Glynde Place,

Glynde, near Lewes,

East Sussex

Tel: 01273 858224

Saturday 16th July – Sunday 17th July 2011

Doors open 10am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday

Over the last few years I've been introduced to some delicious English wine.  The first time I tried English 'champagne', courtesy of Puttock PR, the night was such a success we ended up at Buddies the all-night caf on the seafront at Brighton with some Publishers picked up at a Cuban dance-hall.  Good times, and I blame the English 'champagne' that began the night.  Couldn't tell you where the 'champagne' came from though.




The second time, I was a bit more on the ball, or less drunk and took a note of the wine that rocked my world, this time at Food For Friends in the Lanes.  The white wine was from the Bodiam estate and I loved it so much I persuaded one of my bessie's to travel into Kent with me on an excursion to the vineyard to buy more of the same.

So, with great expectations, I am really looking forward to this very English event, The Glynde Food and Wine Festival, held in the historic grounds of Glynde Place, over the weekend of 16th and 17th July 2011.

The Festival celebrates the best food and English wine produced in Sussex and the surrounding region. Set in the beautiful grounds of Glynde Place, a 16th century country house, it will be the biggest English wine gathering in the country and offers visitors a chance to be introduced to a range of award-winning wines.

The Festival founder Lord Hampden also believes the event will provide a platform for championing and showcasing the amazing array of regional food producers as well as the vineyards across the country, with a selection of locally made chocolate, chilli, cheese, chutney, charcuterie and cakes. Yum.

This year’s line-up - features a Chef Demo Stage with presenter and restaurateur John Torode, Edd Kimber (winner of Great British Bake Off), Dhruv Baker (Waitrose LIVE columnist), Peter Bayless, Valentine Warner, Olly Rowe and Celebrity MasterChef winner Lisa Faulkner, where there will be cooking demonstrations from the pros.

MasterChef winner Peter Bayless will be running cookery master classes in the old tea room - choose from pasta making in the morning at 10.30am and bread making in the afternoon at 2.30pm to take you to a new level of expertise, pre-booking online recommended.

There will also be wine tasting with a 45 minute tutored tasting in the house’s Marble Hall with Stephen Skelton MW and wine writer and broadcaster Joe Wadsack at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 3pm.

Children under 12 years will be admitted free and entertained by cookery author Amanda Grant who will be running her renowned children's cookery marquee called Cook School, the title of her latest children's cookery book. Amanda will be joined by local producers - including Imbhams Farm Granary and Garden Quails - together they will teach children where food comes from and how to cook.

For fast food options the Food Terrace, will be offering up hot dishes like hog roast and homemade crepes, there will be local beers and spirits available at the fully-licensed festival bar while the 'champagne' will be served at the sparkling wine and berries bar all accompanied by live music.

The Old Dairy on Glynde Estate is currently home to local producers that include Say Cheese, Flint Owl Bakery and Taste of Dreams (Cakes).

Entry:
Adults £8.50 or £7 online
OAPs - £7.50 or £6 online
Students - £6 or £5 online
Children under 12 are free
Cookery Master Classes - £25 – pre-booked tickets only
Tutored Wine Tasting - £7
Children’s Kitchen - £5
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