March heralded not only the start of Spring but also the welcome start of the food festivals. Over the weekend of 28th/29th March, Thoresby Courtyard welcomed the Spring Food Festival.
The outdoor stalls were mainly cooked food to go with the exception of the Deli Cheese, though to be fair I have been known to chew on a block of cheese or the grated stuff from the bag a’la Bridget Jones before now. On this occasion though I chose to be more refined, and with plenty to choose from, I decided to try the bean chilli from Caribbean Fusion and the chicken and chorizo paella from Black Sheep Food & Co. The latter was my favourite. Chicken and chorizo is always a winner for me with the rich oils from the chorizo infusing the dish. For more information visit black sheepfold.co.uk or visit twitter @lambandtatties for Caribbean Fusion visit Caribbeanfusion.co.uk or visit twitter @fusioncaribbean
Meanwhile indoors was the opportunity to stock up on goodies, whilst supporting local producers. First stop was a pasty and a sausage roll from Sisters Cuisine which we took home an had later with a dollop of home made garlic mash. Lovely golden pastry enveloping tasty, fresh fillings. For more information call 01623 798444
It was good to see Tempted by Chocolate again as well. Last time we bought their chocolate caramel discs. Being Easter we couldn’t resist buying one of their gorgeous handmade eggs. It didn’t quite make it to Easter but I have the pleasure in telling you it was absolutely delicious chocolate and looked exquisite. For more information call 07970 419494/ emailcarolyn@temptedbychocolate.co.uk/visit www.temptedbychocolate.co.uk
Speaking of chocolate, I was more than happy to try a sample of MarRon red wine with chocolate. So happy I bought to bottle to take home! Just when I thought I’d tried every possible way of eating chocolate it turns up in one of my other favourite things – red wine. The taste reminded me of the sugary chocolate syrup you drizzle on ice cream, sweet but without being a Port, which I don’t like, although unlike wine, I could only drink this in small quantities due to the sweetness. Made by family business MarRon, based in Lincolnshire, this alternative Easter treat has a percentage of 11%. The company also do personalised for the girl (or guy) who has everything. For more information visit: www.marronliquers.co.uk
I enjoyed chatting with the chap on the Chilli Bob stall. He was happy to discuss the products and let me taste samples of the Flavour Magic spice mix sprinkled on tomatoes. I bought home a packet of the Harissa from Morocco and the Togarashi from Japan which I look forward to trying. He also told me about this years Chili Fest which will be held at Orchard Farm on 11/12 July, which sounds like its going to be a great weekend. For more information visit: em-chillifest.co.uk or see follow @ChilliBobs on Twitter
I had to walk by the Artisan Bakers stall twice as I thought I had a problem with my contact lenses. Every cake on the stall was absolutely huge! I bought what I thought was a choux bun but I disapointed when I cut into it when I got home to find it was a normal bun, almost like bread even, with a sugar wash not the choux pastry I was expecting. What I thought was chocolate on top was in actual fact chocolate icing and inside the bun was a small amount of synthetic cream. In hindsight I suppose it was obvious it wasn’t what I was expecting as they weren’t kept chilled.
Beer was next. I took home a bottle of Sterling Pale from Flipside Brewery. As I mentioned in a previous review, I had the pleasure of a tour of their Colwick Brewery back in December. Possibly one of the coldest experiences of my life but interesting if you want to see the brewing process first hand. All the beers are named after coins and this light beer is one of my particular favourites of theirs. I’ve been known to have a few at their pub ‘The Old Volunteer’ too on Burton Road in Carlton, an altogether warmer experience. For more information visit: www.flipsidebrewery.co.uk
It might have been a damp day but a taste of farm pressed Cox and Bramley Apple Juice by The Extraordinary John Starkey reminded me of warm summer days so I bought a bottle in hope of a ‘bbq in the garden’ type day. Just the one mind, you can’t trust the British weather. The juice is a blend of England’s two most famous apples harvested in late September and October for maximum freshness in John Starkeys orchards in Southwell. The two are blended together to produce the supreme juice. For more information visit www.johnstarkey.co
After all my shopping I was ready for a drink so stopped by the Simply Cakes stall outside in the courtyard for a coffee. A sit down would have been nice but the tables and chair in the court yard were sadly still soaking from a heavy downpour, which we thankfully missed. At least it meant I wasn’t tempted to dunk the chocolate chip shortbread I’d bought from Simply Cakes. Simply Cakes make professional home made cakes for every occasion. Based in the East Midlands, they hand make and deliver a wide variety of individually designed cakes to weddings, parties and corporate events, priding themselves on high quality baked cakes using only free range eggs, butter and their own homemade jams. For more information call: 0115 9302451/07885 892238 or visitwww.simplycakesbycatherine.co.uk or email catherine@simplycakesbycatherine.co.uk.
The next food festival at Thoresby Court will be the Winter Food Festival in November in time to stock up for Christmas goodies. Make a note in diary for 14th & 15th November.
For more information visit: http://www.adelanta.co.uk/winterfoodfest.html
The producers and organisers did not know we were attending and we paid for our items in full.
By Tanya Raybould
