Diary August 2008

Masterclass: A taste of gourmet day intensive in raw culinary arts; Level 1

3rd August & 31st August, Saf restaurant, 152-154 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2 3AT

Whether you are a committed carnivore, a voracious vegetarian or simply a health conscious epicurean, this intensive day course is designed to appeal to anyone with an interest in pursuing the raw culinary to a professional level.

Details: www.safrestaurant.co.uk

Chef's Table at the Vineyard at Stockcross

4-8 August 2008, Berkshire

A line-up of Michelin-starred chefs from all over the country, hand-picked by executive chef John Campbell will be behind the pass at the restaurant for a night each, five nights in a row.

This year the culinary glitterati on the stove have amassed a whopping eight Michelin stars between them, and comprise the Square's Phil Howard, the Ledbury's Brett Graham, Gidleigh Park's Michael Caines, Nobu's mark Edwards and John Campbell himself.

Details: www.the-vineyard.co.uk/chefs_table.asp

A taste of sweet summer; An introduction to Saf pastry

5th August 2008, Saf restaurant, 152-154 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2 3AT

If your idea of a divine dessert is a strawberry and lavender gateaux with cacao berry consommé or chocolate amaretto cake served with vanilla poached sour cherries and vanilla cream, Saf’s pastry secrets promise to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Details: www.safrestaurant.co.uk

Great British Beer Festival 2008

5th-9th August 2008, Earls Court in London

The Great British Beer Festival at Earls Court brings together a wide range of real ales, ciders, perries and international beers. There will be at least 450 beers available throughout the festival including golden ales, fruit beers, stouts, bitters and some international real lagers. As well as a great selection of beer there is also cider and perry, all available in pint, half pint and third pint measures.

Details: www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=195496

Chilli Fiesta

9th-10th August 2008, West Dean Gardens, near Chichester

Guaranteed to be a hot day with 100 stallholders and more than 250 chillies - from Apache to Wild Fire and Banana to Carrot - and sweet peppers on display in the restored Victorian glasshouses. There will be food tasting, cooking demonstrations, chilli chocolate and ice cream and salsa of the dancing variety.

Details: www.westdean.org.uk/site/gardens/events/…

Worcester Beer, Cider and Perry Festival

14th-16th August 2008, Worcester Racecourse

Impressive list of mostly British beers and some of the country's best ciders.

Details: www.worcesterbeerfest.org.uk

Flavour Fest

15th-17th August 2008, Plymouth

100 stalls packed with tasty offerings from fine food producers across the South West; plus the city's own Tanner brothers in the demo tent and an Olympic village with global food offerings.

Details: www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/communityan…

Arbroath Sea Fest

16th-17th August 2008, Arbroath

The star fish is undoubtedly the Arbroath smokie - haddock smoked over hardwood - but past years have also seen trout specialities, suckling pig, venison and ostrich meat, available from the Smokie Trail, comprising 70-odd stalls along the harbour. Visitors can also sample locally-caught produce at the Gourmet Galley and enjoy demonstrations by some of Scotland's super chefs.

Details: www.angusahead.com/VisitAngus/VisitEvent…

2008 Isle of Wight Garlic Festival

16-17 August 2008, Isle of Wight

This year's Isle of Wight Garlic Festival promises to be the biggest ever with up to 20,000 people attending. At its heart is our world famous Isle of Wight Garlic but we showcase the very best of Island produce. This year Dunsbury Lamb makes its debut, served in a variety of ways. Over 300 stalls will sell food and a diverse range of arts and crafts inside larger than ever marquees.

Details: www.garlic-festival.co.uk/

The Chichester Festival Bites Café

21st August - 7th September 2008, Chichester

This year's Chichester International Film Festival (August 21 - September 7) not only offers close to 100 films from around the world including previews, premieres and recent releases (The Duchess, Breakfast with Scott, Angel, Edge of Heaven and Summer are some) but some of the finest food to be found in Sussex.

Details: www.chichestercinema.org/film-festival

Hull Global Food Fest

22-24 August 2008, Hull

The race is on to find the 2008 Apprentice Chef of the Year as part of Hull Global Food Fest. The competition, sponsored by the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitality Association, is now in its second year and promises to uncover another local culinary star.

Details: hullglobalfoodfest.co.uk/contact-hull-gl…

Foodies at the Festival

23-24th August 2008, The Sheraton Hotel and Festival Square, EDINBURGH

If you love food then this is the perfect opportunity for you to sample Scottish fayre, taste the best Scottish whiskies, enjoy fine wines and beers, and try your hand at mixing cocktails.

Details: www.foodiesfestival.com/edinburgh/

Make Time For Breakfast This National Breakfast Week

25th-31st August 2008

Next week is National Breakfast Week and Kellogg’s is challenging everyone in the UK to get out of bed five minutes earlier and start their day properly by enjoying breakfast at home.

Details: www.kelloggs.co.uk/wakeup

Really Wild Food and Countryside Festival

30th-31st August 2008, St Davids, Pembrokeshire

Join a hedgerow or shoreline walk to discover “free food” and then watch chefs transform the foraged bounty into everyday meals with innovative recipes.

Details: www.reallywildfestival.co.uk

UK’s Best Barbecue Chef cook off

30th August 2008, Priory Maze and Gardens, Cromer Road, Beeston Regis, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8SF

The search for the UK’s best barbecue chef reaches its pinnacle on 30th August at Priory Maze and Gardens in Norfolk for a final ‘cook-off’. Sponsored by Kettle® Chips, the competition promises to be a great family day out for lovers of fresh food.

Details: www.kettlechips.co.uk

The Tiger Beer Singapore Chilli Crab Festival

30th-31st August 2008, London's Truman Brewery in Brick Lane

The festival celebrates the crowning joy of Singapore, the Chilli Crab, which is Singapore's unofficial national dish. Drenched in a fresh tomato and chilli-based sauce, Chilli Crab is best enjoyed using fingers so you can prize out the succulent meat in the crab claws. There will be plenty of Chilli Crab on offer at the festival along with an array of other traditional Singaporean dishes which will get tastebuds tingling including Chicken satay, Char Kway Teow (a delicious rice noodle dish) and Hainanese Chicken Rice.

Details: www.tigerbeer.co.uk/chillicrab/

Forthcoming Events