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Everything to know about Stowmarket Food and Drink Festival returning today




Thousands are expected to flock to Stowmarket today as the town centre is transformed into a foodie paradise for the annual Food and Drink Festival.

The town council-led event, running from 10am to 4pm, will see more than 70 food and drink stalls line the streets — offering everything from salt beef bagels and Korean corn dogs to buttermilk fried chicken, sourdough cheese toasties, homemade fudge, local wines and speciality lemonades.

The celebration of food and drink produced in the region will stretch across multiple venues in the town, including the John Peel Centre, Red Gables and the Food Museum, to create a family-friendly event with something for everyone.

Stowmarket Food and Drink Festival is set to return today. Pictures: Mecha Morton
Stowmarket Food and Drink Festival is set to return today. Pictures: Mecha Morton
Julie and Ivan Hiskey with five-year-old grandson Vinnie
Julie and Ivan Hiskey with five-year-old grandson Vinnie

Emily Clarke, community engagement and events officer for Stowmarket Town Council, said: “We have some brilliant new traders, activities and it’s so wonderful to see many familiar faces back for another year.

”The festival offers an opportunity to showcase Stowmarket with vendors and traders in multiple locations — offering some amazing local and regional food and drink.

”It’s sure to be a perfect day out for the whole family, food and drink lovers and those looking to try something new.”

Sally Austin, of Mabel’s Kitchen
Sally Austin, of Mabel’s Kitchen
Kiran John with her stall Foodiie
Kiran John with her stall Foodiie

Live music, organised by the John Peel Centre, will showcase up-and-coming acts to add to the festival atmosphere.

The centre will also host a free circus skills workshop where visitors can try plate-spinning, juggling and diabolo.

Meanwhile, today marks the final day of the Food Museum’s 28th annual Festival of Beer and Brewing, in partnership with CAMRA, which started on Thursday.

Beer fans can still enjoy a huge range of real ales, craft beers and ciders served from a main bar inside the museum’s medieval barn.

The Kitchen Theatre will return to the Food Museum. Picture: Mecha Morton
The Kitchen Theatre will return to the Food Museum. Picture: Mecha Morton

The festival is showcasing breweries from across East Anglia – including Bruha, Woodfordes and Humber Doucy – along beers from London-based breweries such as Howling Hops and East London Brewing Company.

The museum’s Feast Café will be serving hot dishes including tagine, loaded fries and wood-fired pizzas.

Drinks, snacks, wine, canned cocktails and soft drinks will also be available from the Horsebox Bar.

Jodie Eley and Andrea Davey, from Kitty Bakes
Jodie Eley and Andrea Davey, from Kitty Bakes

Chloe Brett, marketing manager at the Food Museum, said: “The beer festival is a favourite event in Stowmarket’s event calendar, showcasing some of the best local breweries and giving visitors an opportunity to try an array of real ales, craft beers and ciders.”

Families can also explore the museum grounds and enjoy everything from a giant sandpit and face painting to bread-making workshops, stone painting and nature journaling.

The Kitchen Theatre will return with live cooking demos from local chefs and a new picnic area behind Abbots Hall provides a quiet spot to unwind.

Red Gables is offering face painting, live music, a budget-friendly café and a variety of charity stalls.