by Alan Quick

THIS weekend the Crediton Food and Drink Festival will include chef demos, fabulous music from local bands tomorrow evening (Saturday, June 17), The Moon Jazz and Blues Club House Band on Sunday, face painting, balloon modelling, hair braiding and fabulous, fresh local food and drink.

Tomorrow, Saturday, from 10.30am to 3pm, the Town Square and Market Street will be bursting with stalls offering a range of local produce to eat or drink on-the-spot as well as take-away food and beverages whilst the marquee will be the place to see the ever-popular demonstrations.

Saturday Demonstrations in the Marquee include:

11am - Ruth Beckley of Ruth’s Real Food is a passionate advocate of the Love Food Hate Waste campaign. She relishes making great food from leftovers and will be showing how to make a tasty, stylish family meal from the leftovers in your fridge.

11.45am - Andy Cross of Cox’s Butchers will be looking at slow-cook cuts from a forequarter of beef: chuck, shin brisket and a cheeky rib-eye! All those favourite comfort dishes.

12.30pm - Nicholas Hack and Tina King from Il Casita and The Cadeleigh Arms will be presenting beef on a budget using the cuts from Andy of Cox’s demo. Great ways to make the most of tasty cuts.

1.15pm - Dan the Fish Man (Clovelly’s go-to guy for fresh, locally caught fish) and Eran Hovav (Baobab Café) will be firing everyone up with some exotic ideas with fish. Be prepared for some interesting recipe ideas that will spice up your cooking.

2pm - Tracy from Candimama is looking for plenty of audience participation to make some sweet delights which you’ll find easy to repeat at home.

Saturday evening, June 17, 8pm – 11pm

Music in the marquee, food and drink stalls - A fantastic night of classic Americana from four splendid local bands— make sure you don’t miss it!

Ace roots harmonica player Rob Spence (formerly of “My Black Hat”) returns with his duo “Devon Delta”; the expanded five-piece “Wee Free Men” bring their quirky mix of bluegrass, old-time, cajun, skiffle and necro-folk; perrenial favourites “Far From the Delta” are back with their own individual take on dirty swamp blues; and the wonderful “Yellabellies” offer up-tempo country blues with a big twist.

Sunday, June 18, 12 noon — 3pm

The Big Sunday Lunch (and Father’s Day) - Buy produce from surrounding stalls to create or add to your picnic and take a seat to enjoy:

The Moon Jazz and Blues Club House Band will be playing some cool social music to accompany the excellent food and drink at the Sunday lunch.

The usual line up will include Tony Plato (drums), Marcus Vergette (double bass), Stuart Toms and Alistair Toms (guitars), Hayley Gregory (alto sax), Jamie Norgate (tenor sax), Andrew Vaccari (trumpet) and the beautiful voice of Jess Laver, plus some guest players in true off-the-cuff performances.

Tables and chairs will be provided for the Big Sunday Lunch, just take along your friends and family!

On both days, to entertain the children (big and small) look out for Emma’s face painting, Matt’s balloons and R and G’s colourful hair braiding (and for the more adventurous, temporary tattoos). Towards 3pm on both days is the Raffle for a legendary basketful of goodies.

FREE PARKING IN SAVIOUR’S CAR PARK

The Festival is also pleased to be able to announce, thanks to Crediton Chamber of Commerce and Crediton Town Council, that Mid Devon District Council has suspended parking charges in St Saviour’s Way Car Park tomorrow, Saturday, June 17.

All-in-all, there will be something for everyone, and just a reminder that entry to the Festival is free throughout the weekend.

To keep up-to-date, visit the website: www.creditonfoodfestival.co.uk .