CREDITON’S fantastic Food and Drink Festival promises to tickle the tastebuds and quench the thirst of all those who go along.

It has put Crediton on the map as the place to come for great locally-sourced food and drink, not just during the Food and Drink Festival but all year-round.

Bigger and better each year, and now firmly on the town’s calendar of must-attend events, it is regarded as one of the best FREE community food festivals in the South West.

This year’s festival will take place from 10.30am to 3pm and 8pm to 11pm on Saturday, June 9 and from 12 noon to 3pm on Sunday, June 10.

It is the 10th anniversary of the event, which started in 2008 and it will again be held in the Town Square and in Market Street in Crediton.

SATURDAY

Saturday, June 9, from 10.30am to 3pm will see a deliciously varied range of stalls on the Town Square and Market Street, with cookery and food demonstrations in the main marquee. Look out for the Exeter Street Band performing from 10.30am, the Turning Tides band at 12.30pm and Sandford Singers at 2pm.

At 2.50pm the prize raffle draw will take place.

DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE MARQUEE

11am - Ruth Beckley of Ruth’s Real Food is a passionate believer in not wasting food and is cooking up a tasty dish using surplus food supplied by local shops. She will also give some hints and tips on what to do with everyday surplus items that we might have in our fridges.

12 noon - Mary Quicke of Quicke’s Traditional will show how milk transforms to cheese - and how it could go in any number of directions to make the multitude of cheeses we enjoy.

1pm - Sam Brook, head chef at Paschoe House will be cooking a newly-invented dish from start to finish: spiced sea bass carpaccio with wild garlic, watermelon, shimiji à la greque and with roasted garlic. From sketch to plate!

2pm - Gretchen Oldland (ex-Woolsgrove Cookery School and Hanlons) and Dan (the Fisherman) Garnett will conjure up some magic between them. Prepare to be surprised, educated and entertained.

SATURDAY EVENING

From 8pm to 11pm, on the Saturday evening, there will be Music in the Marquee with food and drink stalls.

Another great line-up has been organised by Andrew Vaccari, with two stars from previous food festivals, the "Moonshine Serenaders" and "Yellabellies", back to celebrate the Festival’s 10th Anniversary, plus a Gypsy Jazz band, new to Crediton.

SUNDAY

From 12 noon to 3pm everyone is invited to The Big Sunday Lunch.

This popular event returns with food and drink stalls around the Town Square and a Craft Fair in Market Street.

Visitors can buy their lunch or take along a picnic, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with some great local entertainment, including live music from the "Moon Jazz" house band, and at 12.30pm, a mad-cap performance from the notorious Sandford Mummers.

At 2.50pm the prize raffle draw will take place.

The stalls will be open from 10.30am to 3pm and 8pm to 11pm on the Saturday and 12 noon to 3pm on the Sunday.

Tim Harris, who founded the Crediton Food and Drink Festival and is still involved in its organisation, explained: “This great event would not have been possible without the support of our main sponsor, Ashgrove Kitchens (www.ashgrovekitchens.co.uk ) who have been with us from the start, along with the critical backing of Crediton Arts Centre (www.creditonartscentre.org ).

“Crediton Town Council has shown its commitment to community events via its support, and Claremont Maquees (www.claremontmarquees.co.uk ) and Crediton Dairy (www. creditondairy.co.uk ) have come on board as valuable sponsors.

“Finally, our volunteer organising committee that meets throughout the year and shows what a great team can achieve.?“Thank you all and have a lovely 10th Food and Drink Festival!”

It is recommended that those travelling to attend the festival park in the St Saviour’s Way car park (£2 for 10 hours), just south of the High Street.

The Town Square has level access and public conveniences. Well-behaved dogs on leads will be welcome.

For the latest information on stalls, events and music and other events throughout the year, visit the website: www.creditonfoodfestival.co.uk .

If you would like to join the festival mailing list, send an email request to: [email protected] .?You can follow the festival on “Twitter”: #CredFoodFest or “Facebook”: www.facebook.com/creditonfoodfestival

Market Street will be closed to traffic from Saturday, June 9, from 6am to 5pm on Sunday, June 10.