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Thousands enjoy Stowmarket Food and Drink Festival with over 70 local and regional stalls




Thousands of people flocked to a popular food and drink festival in a Suffolk town that celebrates local and regional produce.

More than 70 stalls filled the centre of Stowmarket on Sunday including wood fired pizza, salt beef bagels, sourdough cheese toasties, locally grown wine, speciality lemonade and much more.

The free event included the addition of the Kitchen Theatre which showcased a line-up of top chefs preparing seasonal dishes in front of a live audience.

Julie and Ivan Hiskey with five-year-old grandson Vinnie. Pictures: Mecha Morton
Julie and Ivan Hiskey with five-year-old grandson Vinnie. Pictures: Mecha Morton

The featured chefs include Myles Craven from The Butt and Oyster in Ipswich, Sam Sturman from The Bull in Troston, Lee Cooper from The Auberge in Yaxley, Stuart Oliver from Kesgrave Hall and Mark Poynton from MJP Restaurants.

Some of the new vendors for this year’s festival included Manna Seoul, Twisted Treats, Bad Boi Burritos, The Sausage Dog Coffee Co, Field of Fizz and Prosecco, Tornado Potatoes, Wood Row Chocolate, Molly Moo’s Ices and Mabel’s Kitchen dog treats.

Molly Watling, community engagement and events officer for Stowmarket Town Council, said: “It was brilliant to see so many people enjoying this year’s festival even with a few showers in the afternoon - it felt like there was such a great community spirit.

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

“The festival offers a chance to showcase our town with vendors and traders in multiple locations, from the high street to the Food Museum and Red Gables presenting visitors with delicious food choices, activities or shopping at every turn.

“We were thrilled to have many favourite traders back and welcome some new faces too.

“It was fabulous to see people out and enjoying the delicious food and drink on offer, listening to music and enjoying the family-friendly activities”.

Drinkstone Ales - Susan Field, Colin Field and Cheryl Cairns
Drinkstone Ales - Susan Field, Colin Field and Cheryl Cairns

“Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event a success.”

Plenty of entertainment was on offer at venues across Stowmarket with a new addition this year - a sand pit filled with balls and buckets and spades.

The event also coincided with the final day of the Food Museum’s beer festival which started on Thursday.

John Ridealgh with his Humber Doucy Brewing Co, based in Bacton
John Ridealgh with his Humber Doucy Brewing Co, based in Bacton
Kiran John with her stall Foodiie
Kiran John with her stall Foodiie
Sally Austin of Mabel’s Kitchen
Sally Austin of Mabel’s Kitchen

It was the beer festival’s 27th year of offering real ales, craft beers and ciders from East Anglian breweries.