A FESTIVAL celebrating all that is delicious in Darlington, is set to return this spring.
The two day, Distinctly Delicious Darlington Festival of Food will be held in the town centre on 9 and 10 May and plans to build on last year’s success with an even greater number of stalls, demonstrations and events.
The event is the brainchild of business improvement district company Distinct Darlington and shines a spotlight on the town’s independent and artisan food producers.
Along with stalls selling everything from local produce to street food from a variety of countries, there will be workshops and demonstrations encouraging residents and visitors alike to experiment with new skills and cuisines.
Each day between 10am and 5pm the area’s food producers will be showcasing their wares from stalls at High Row, while a variety of street food will be available from midday until 5pm at West Row.
Throughout the weekend, chefs will be holding cookery demonstrations in the Big Tent in the Market Square, where visitors will also be able to taste local delicacies such as handmade chocolate, artisan cheese, real ales and freshly baked bread.
There will also be a programme of family based entertainment, with the event culminating in a repeat of last year’s highly successful Locomotion cake parade through the town.
Organisers are now calling on businesses, schools and community groups across the region to each decorate a cake to represent the 32 carriages pulled on the Locomotion steam train’s world-first journey in 1825.
Alex Hirst, manager of Distinct Darlington, said: “Last year’s event was huge success and this year’s promises to be even bigger and better. We have already had a fantastic response with many of the region’s best food producers signing up.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase the fabulous food being produced right here on our doorstep and have a lovely, family day out at the same time.”
For further information visit www.darlofoodfest.org or call Distinct Darlington on 01325 463002.