Foodies festival 2017

There are some things that really make Brighton amazing, and in my opinion one of those things is food. This volume of eateries can only mean one thing; a lot of foodies. In come the amazing foodie festival. Brighton Girl was invited down this year to participate in the wonder that is foodie festival and it didn't disappoint.

The atmosphere

As soon as you walk into the foodie festival we were greeted by samples of drinks and the hum of a loud band; a perfect start to the weekend. The Brighton foodie festival was set out with the larger drinks stalls near to the front (including a tennis ball, bus and pirate ship) with a live stage with columns of stalls set out leading you to the kid's area and toilet at the back. You are greeted with groups of smiling people (even on the very wet and windy days) huddling their glasses of cocktails and piles of freebies. The atmosphere is almost like Brighton but smushed into the scenic hove lawns; everyone is happily chatting to strangers about "the best cheese to try", "you need to try that one" and "where is that from?" without the worry of judgement...we all love food here!

The food

For a massive foodie like me, it was, if I'm honest, a little daunting. There are so many amazing eateries with amazing smells and sounds it is hard to focus on one. As with ay good food festival goer, we made sure to do a lap before deciding what we would go for. What I love about the Brighton foodie festival is the variety; we were met with Sussex cheese with tasters galore next door to Quinoa crack; a new healthy cereal. Betsy's bakes just down from paella pans stacked with fresh seafood and saffron rice. 


We tried a variety of things but my favourite was definitely the tepanyaki octopus balls from Shoryu Ramen but I have heard that the curried goat and the Katsu Burgers from Mai Taiko were stunning as well. I would also highly recommend the Bonne Maman desserts; they were giving out free samples and the salted caramel creme was amazing. 

One thing that I loved was the occasional Brighton business and importantly for me the allergy options; we particularly loved the free-from ice cream van, Yorica! which even offered a pea-NOT butter ice cream, made entirely from soy but delicious.

The shows

For Brighton foodie festival there is no charge for any of the shows that are on you just have to get yourself organised and book yourself on, and we were lucky enough to see some amazing people.

In the Chef's theatre, hosted by Tony Rodd: 

Katy Kescow from Little Miss Meat free

Having just released a book 15 minute Vegan Katy made Harissa aubergine kebabs, she was really fun to watch and signed books and took pictures with everyone at the end. 

Juanita from Masterchef 2016, this we did manage to see. She cooked amazing spicy chicken wings served with a coleslaw and an avocado mayonnaise; which we could eat at the end. She even handed out strawberry and basil cocktails to all in the audience- we weren't quick enough for those, unfortunately. It was great to have a little insight into the Masterchef and she was open to talking about it and even encouraged audience members to join themselves

And in the Cakes and Bakes theatre:
Candice from GBBO, who although we couldn't fit into the tent where she was cooking I actually met walking around. She was amazingly friendly and chatty and took the time to have photos with everyone

Sarah Sibley from Bake with Sarah, As someone who is always looking for allergy friendly recipes this was great as Sarah made a vegan chocolate and jam cake- I got to try some at the end and it was delicious. The cakes and bakes tent had a much cosier and intimate feel to it, I think it was the absence of stainless steel replaced with lavender plant pots but it was great to be there; comfort and baking are always a winner!

Fay Millar from Brighton cakes. It was great to end the festival with a Brighton business woman. _ own's Brighton cakes with her business partner adele and made the most beautiful rainbow cake; it was actually the same cake that she had made YouTuber Zoella for her most recent birthday, with drippings of icing and meringue on top it was a dream cake. 

Thank you, Foodie festival for inviting Brighton Girl along, and Fanny Beckman for the beautiful photographs; find her over at http://www.fannybeckman.com