ONE of Darlington’s best loved businesses will be taking to the streets for the town’s second annual food festival.
The two day Distinctly Delicious Darlington Festival of Food will be held in the town centre on 9 and 10 May and so far 50 per cent more local food producers than last year have signed up to take part.
The event is the brainchild of business improvement district company Distinct Darlington and shines a spotlight on the region’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 demonstrations and tastings, encouraging residents and visitors alike to experiment with new skills and cuisines.
Among those showing off their wares will be family butchers Taylors of Darlington, which will be selling a wide range of its renowned pies and sausages from a pop up stall at High Row.
Director Paul Taylor Garthwaite said: “We saw how successful last year’s event was and the fantastic atmosphere there was in the town centre and decided we’d be mad not to take part.
“We’re really looking forward to it and, along with our pies and sausages, we’re also planning to serve our signature roast potatoes with a choice of savoury toppings, so we hope as many people as possible will come along and try them out.”
Thirty of the region’s leading producers, of everything from cakes and cordials to confectionery and cheese, will be joining Taylors, at High Row, between 10am and 5pm each day, while a variety of street food will be available from midday until 5pm at Joseph Pease Monument.
Throughout the weekend, chefs will be holding cookery demonstrations in a spectacular, domed Big Tent next to the Pease Monument at the end of High Row and 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.
The parade will recreate – in cake – the 32 carriages pulled on the Locomotion steam train’s world-first passenger railway journey in 1825 and marks the beginning of the 190th anniversary celebrations of this journey which will culminate in September 2015.
Alex Hirst, manager of Distinct Darlington, said: “We have seen demand grow so much this year that we have increased the size of the event to incorporate even more top-quality producers.
“We’re delighted so many businesses have come on board with such a diverse and exciting range of food and drink.
“This event promises to be a fun – and tasty – day out for all the family.”
For further information visit www.darlofoodfest.org or call Distinct Darlington on 01325 463002.