THE two-day, and very first Crediton Food Festival, held in the Town Square has been hailed as a "resounding success".

It was a culinary showcase of the excellence of local food and produce and gave those who went along the chance to sample the best the region has to offer.

There were cakes, meats, cheeses, ice cream, cider, vegetables, varieties of tea, savouries, beer and apple-juice and much more.

Saturday's main event was a series of cookery demonstrations, the highlight being a demonstration by Chris Archambault from Hotel Barcelona, Exeter with BBC Radio Devon presenter Judi Spiers.

Local chefs, Steve from Il Casita, Jim and Rosie from Cairney's, Gretchen Oldland from Woolsgrove Cookery School shared their knowledge with large audiences for each of the demonstrations.

A working kitchen was built on the stage specially for the event by local firm, Ashgrove Kitchens.

There were many stalls selling wares and Devon Women's Food and Farming Union showed a DVD about how food is produced.

There were displays and demonstrations including cheese making and local schoolchildren also took part.

On the Saturday evening there was a viewing of the film, "The Big Night" and on Sunday, The Big Sunday Lunch enabled diners to bring their own food and drink or enjoy some of the cuisine available at the festival.

There were street entertainers and the pleasant weather encouraged the crowds to attend.

Tim Harris, who was the driving force behind the Food Festival committee, which organised the event, said he would like to thank the people of Crediton and surrounding area for their support for the event.

He added: "Over the two days we had food demonstrations, a wide variety of local food producers as well as the joy of seeing so many people eating together in the square at the Big Sunday Lunch. "The number and range of people attending showed that this was not just for 'foodies' but a real community event.

"It demonstrates what great small businesses we have in the Crediton area, and why it is well worth supporting them."

He added: "I hope people will continue to buy and enjoy the local food on offer and that your support for the businesses that made the festival such a success will continue when Tesco opens, otherwise we will not be able to run such an enjoyable event in the future.

"We think that several hundred people who attended the event over the two days, of all ages and from many places across the UK as well as from our twinned towns in Europe."

• Crediton Police said that a small bunch of keys and a small child's coat were handed in following the Food Festival.

You can contact Crediton Police Station on 01363 772223.

Alan Quick