Henley Food Festival

Look, touch and taste in South Oxfordshire

Over 15,000 people visited the first Henley Food Festival, which took place in the South Oxfordshire market town last summer. That has encouraged the organisers to stage a second festival again this year.

It takes place in Henley Market Place and Henley Town Hall over two days on May 11 and 12. Entrance to most parts of the festival is free of charge.

There will be cooking exhibitions from top chefs and the opportunity to taste food prepared by local restaurants.

Last year’s festival patrons included Raymond Blanc from Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Heston Blumenthal OBE from the award-winning Fat Duck, tv chef Antony Worrall Thompson and the chef, restaurateur and author Roy Ackerman CBE.

As a spokesman for the festival explained, "it puts the spotlight on the excellence of South Oxfordshire’s wining and dining experience."

A feature of the festival is the Cook Off competition that takes place in pubs in the area prior to the festival itself.

Sixteen amateur chefs, male and female, compete for the opportunity to win through to a live final. In 2007 the overall winner is offered a complimentary day for two people at the 'Mike Robinson Game and Wild Food Cookery School,' attached to the Pot Kiln in Yattendon.

To encourage flair and initiative, contestants are only allowed to spend £10 on ingredients. In addition, they will have access to oil, seasoning and herbs.

Two winners are chosen from each of four venues and judging is by the venue proprietors - Mike Robinson at The Pot Kiln, Graham Cromack at The Baskerville Arms, Paul Clereheugh at The Crooked Billet and Douglas Green at The Little Angel.

Those eight go forward into knock-out quarter and semi finals until only two remain to contest the final at Henley Town Hall, during the festival.