Even the strictest of diet plans and most disciplined of exercise regimes are being put to one side in Huddersfield this weekend as the town’s eleventh annual Food and Drink Festival sets up camp on St George’s Square, with over seventy stallholders from all over Yorkshire and beyond offering their finest produce to the thousands of visitors expected to pass through.
I was shown around by Viki from Kirkless Council which organises the festivities, and given the chance to sample some of the delights on offer.
Now, the Yorkshireman has always been an industrious and creative species. Nowhere at the festival is this more in evidence than at Yummy Yorkshire Ice Cream’s very own stall, where Jeremy gave me a few of their more radical flavours to try out. Rhubarb bellini ice cream? Dandelion and burdock ice cream (also made into a delicious cake over at ProperMaid‘s stall)? Pay them a visit and you’ll discover a wealth of untold possibilities.
Here in God’s Own Country, we are of course bold people, unafraid to give something a go no matter how daft it might be. Cue Simon from Leeds, the ‘Chilli Jam Man’ to you and me, whose range of chilli jams tests the very limits of human tolerance. His spiciest, hottest jams are the Yorkshire Dragon chilli jam (no jokes about ex-wives or step-mothers, please) and – top of the hot-o-meter – The Podfather (which won’t put a horse’s head in your bed, but will certainly grab hold of your throat and not let go). They’ve even teamed up with Yummy Yorkshire to make a Chilli Jam ice cream, which is an experience in itself!
The folk of Huddersfield must have thought Christmas had come early this month: the Food Festival arrives in town only a week after the town’s famous Ale Trail, on which locals voyage between the pubs trying out the local real ales. One of the highlights of the trail was the stop-off at The Sportsman pub close to St George’s Square. Landlady Sam has been hard at work brewing a special beer exclusively for the food fest, right in the pub’s very own basement. It’s certainly worth a try (especially after you give The Podfather a go!).
Sometimes, however, we in Yorkshire simply like to stick with what we know best. Fortunately on hand to satisfy our primal need is Andrew Jones whose pies are a local by-word for top quality regional fare.
All of this and so much more at this year’s festival. I arrived within the first hour of the opening, and Viki told me it was the biggest turnout they’d ever had. The crowds most certainly testified to that, turning out in droves to sit and enjoy something to eat, and even the workers in the banks and the shops nearby popping out for something to take back and enjoy at their desks! It was a joy to see so many people coming out to appreciate what’s on offer – and more importantly, to try it all for myself!
For further background as to Mark’s challenge check out ‘28 days later’