2009 Event Review
'As the sun shone down and the crowds poured in
- it was a winning recipe...'
(Stour and Avon Magazine)
8,000 Visitors attended the first Feast of Dorset, and showed what can be achieved when a large number of like-minded people get together to enjoy the good things in life.
Everyone who came contributed to a truly magical atmosphere...thank you all, and please come back next year.
We also want to thank our team of chefs and food writers: Mark Hix, who led the team, Rose Prince, Valentine Warner, Richard Corrigan, Anna del Conte, Mike Robinson, Matt Follas and Tiffany Goodal who presented the demonstrations in the Rangemaster Cookery Theatre.
A huge 'Thank You' also to author and actor Julian Fellowes, Dorset's Deputy Lieutenant and himself a food-lover, who hosted the Sacla Celebrity Question Panel (Mark Hix, Rose Prince, Anna del Conte and Richard Corrigan) and delighted the audience with his wit.
We also want to thank our team of experts who led the 'Walks & Talks' in the ground: Diana Guy for her talk in the Herb Garden; Jackie Cole and Rupert Sprague for their tour of the walled kitchen garden; Louise Marshall who thrilled bee-suited adults and children with her open-hive demonstrations in the Apiary, and Mark Hix and Valentine Warner for their 'Catch & Cook' fly-fishing demonstration on the Trout Stream, followed up with a trout and minnow dish which they rustled up in the cookery theatre (Valentine was still dripping wet and barefoot, having been up to his chest in the river).
Thank you also to our 50 exhibitors, who rolled out a banquet of mouth-watering local produce, crafts, meals, drinks and ice creams, and to Museum Wines and The Fish Club who dined 800 people in style throughout the weekend.
Thank you too to our sponsors, without whom the event wouldn't have worked: In particular we want to show our appreciation to Wyatt Homes, our lead sponsor, who produced a stunning tent with champagne and canapes for adults, and a variety of eco-educational activities for the kids. Thanks also to, Steele Raymond Solicitors LLP for their generous funding, and to Waitrose, Sacla, Cardsave, Rangemaster, Clipper Teas, Dorset Cereals and Otter Brewery for their valuable contributions.
On Saturday night the gardens were illuminated for a dazzling concert on the lawns where everyone relaxed to the music of Orlando Seal, Mano de Dios, Sophie Barker and others, with bars and healthy take-away food... the great atmosphere kept going.
We have been deluged with enthusiastic feedback. If you would like to make any comments about the event please do email us.
Feast of Dorset - the happiest and healthiest event of the year in Dorset - will run again on 18th and 19th September 2010....with camping for those who want to make a weekend of it.. We look forward to seeing you there.
2009 Event Feedback
(Graham from Trealy Charcuterie)
(Kath, Sturmister Marshall)
(Jackie, Tarrant Keyneston)
(Nick & Daphne, Wimborne)
(Geoff & Patty)
2009 Guest Celebrities |
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Mark Hix has written a number of books on British food. His latest two, British Regional Food and British Seasonal Food, reflect his interest in sourcing local food and traditional recipes. He opened his own restaurant, Hix Oyster and Chop House, near London's Smithfield Market, in spring 2008. Mark appeared in the second series of Great British Menu in spring 2007. |
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Valentine Warner is a cook, forager, fisherman, and above all, culinary adventurer. In his BBC Two series What to Eat Now he celebrated seasonal cooking, travelling around our rivers, fields, woods and shores, often preparing food he's just picked, caught or shot - but that we can all buy from the shops - while paying homage to the best farmed ingredients. |
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Richard Corrigan's passion for earthy and uncluttered food has won him international acclaim at Soho's Lindsay House. This same emphasis on purity of ingredients and honest presentation, has wooed critics and public alike with Richards re-opening of the sensitively refurbished world famous Bentley's Seafood Restaurant & Grill. |
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Rose Prince, writer of the well received and review The New English Kitchen and The Savvy Shopper, advises that you do 'not need to be a millionaire to eat the finest food on offer, nor do you need to spend for ever slaving in the kitchen.' |
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Julian Fellowes DL was suddenly propelled into the international limelight when his Gosford Park screenplay won an Oscar. He is also well known for his role as the Scottish laird in BBC TV series Monarch of the Glen. |
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Anna Del Conte is a highly respected writer on Italian food. She is the author of 12 highly regarded books on Italian cooking, including The Gastronomy of Italy, the first comprehensive reference book on Italian food in English. Anna has just finished writing "Risotto with Nettles - a memoir with food", 'a delicious, poignant memoir of an unusual life and the food she loves', due to be published in August. One of her biggest professional fans, Nigella Lawson said recently, "Easily the best Italian food writer around". |
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(TBC) Liz Earle co-founder of Natural Active Skincare, beauty editor, author of over 30 books and TV presenter, has became a well-known and respected authority in these areas. |
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Diana Guy won BBC Gardener of the Year Competition in 2004 and now specializes in consultancy and design. She also gives talks to clubs and societies and runs many workshops and courses. |
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Tamasin Day-Lewis, television chef, daughter of the poet Cecil Day-Lewis. She is currently on the Board of Governors at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She writes for the Daily Telegraph, Vanity Fair, Vogue and Food Illustrated. Tamasin has also written many extremely popular cookery books, such as "Where Shall We Go For Dinner?" and hosts a show for Living TV. |
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Mike Robinson is a regular presenter and guest chef on UKTV Food's daily live show Great Food Live and a regular chef presenter on BBC2's Saturday Kitchen. Since 2001, Mike has presented series for UKTV Food - Chalet Slaves in the French Alps, Safari Chef filmed in Kenya, 'Heaven's Kitchen' , 'Heaven's Garden', 'Heaven's Kitchen Cookbook' and "Heavens Kitchen at Large". He featured most recently in the series "Tales from the Country" showing on ITV. Mike's book - Wild Flavours - was published in September 2005. He also writes a popular monthly article on cooking in "The Field" magazine. |
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Sophie Michell started her professional career cooking full-time at fifteen years old. She worked in London restaurants including the Greenhouse, the Embassy, the Lanesborough and Zilli Fish Too. In 2001 she was nominated for Young Chef of the Year award. She has appeared in a variety of programmes, including Great Food Live for UKTV and Cook Yourself Thin, Ch4, to her current appearances on Market Kitchen for UKTV. Sophie is Food Editor for Grazias, writes a monthly column for Healthy magazine and has a monthly column with Top Sante. |
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As a student, Tiffany Goodall was very concerned with the quality of food, the cost and how to cook it resulting in her first book, 'The Students Kitchen'. This is to be followed by 'From Pasta to Pancakes, The Ultimate Students Cookbook' coming out in August this year. Once she had successfully completed a cookery course at the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland, Tiffany travelled on a culinary journey throughout Thailand, Australia, Singapore, Bali, Vietnam and India gaining a great insight on the differences of cultures and food. Tiffany recently worked with Marks and Spencer - hosting demonstrations to very engrossed audiences. |
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2009 Masterchef winner, Mat Follas, 42, of Beaminster, Dorset, has already opened a new restaurant, The Wild Garlic. He is passionate about fresh and healthy food (especially seafood) and teaching families about sourcing and foraging good produce. |
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Jackie Cole is a journalist, stylist, plants woman and vegetable gardener. She started her career with 'Vogue' and 'House & Garden' before moving to the 'Observer' as home editor. She now works freelance, designing gardens and writing about interiors and gardens for magazines in the UK and France. She spends every spare minute in her gardens, dividing her attention between her potager in France, allotments in London and the kitchen garden at Deans Court. |
2009 Program
Rangemaster Cookery Demos
Bars and Dining
Grand Bazaar Producers
Wild Food Section
Turnbull's Cheese Tent
After Dark Music
Walks and Talks
Artisan Pavilion
Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Children's Activities
Wan Ling Tea House in the Rose Garden: Tea Tastings at 11:30, 14:30 and 16:30 on both days, Tea Ceremony Class Workshops during the day and Tea Talks at 15:00 & 17:00.
Book Signing with our Celebrities and their latest publications
Archery for the whole family
Falconry displays twice a day with public participation
Apple Identification
Beekeeping Demo & Talk
Cider Making Demo & Talk
South Wessex Opera Company A 30-strong chorus singing a wide selection of popular opera choruses, with soloists thrown into the mix.
2009 Cookery Theatre Program
Saturday... with BBC Food Presenter & Chef Tiffany Goodall
10:00-10:15 - Mayor Opening Festival with Mark Hix
10:15-10:45 - Olive Tree Cookery School
11:00-12:00 - Julian Fellowes leading Sacla' Question Panel (Mark Hix, Anna Del Conte, Rose Prince, Tamasin Day Lewis)
12:15-13:00 - Rose Prince & Richard Corrigan: Veal
13:15-14:15 - Wild Venison Master Class with Mike Robinson
14:30-15:15 - Sophie Michell Aphrodisiac Menu
15:30-16:15 - Mark Hix, Richard Corrigan & Matt Folias: Seafood
16:30-17:00 - Chococo Chocolate Extravaganza
Sunday
10:15-11:00 - Long Crichell Children's Pizza Making
11:15-12:00 - Pam Corbin: Preserves
12:00-12:45 - Chococo's Children's Chocolate Class
13:00-13:30 - 'Catch & Cook' Demo with Mark Hix & Valentine Warner (plus Fish Filleting Demo)
13:45-14:30 - Richard Corrigan & Tiffany Goodall: Bloody Mary Cottage Pie
14:45-15:30 - Valentine Warner & Sophie Michell: Goat Curry
15:45-16:30 - Surprise Ending
2009 Producers
| Acetaia Dodi UK Ltd. | Balsamic Vinegar |
| Capreolus | Hot/Cold Smoked Meats/Savouries |
| Chococo Purbeck chocolate | Chocolates |
| Clipper Teas | Teas |
| Coffee Fairy Ltd. | Coffee |
| Cornish Salt Co. | Salt |
| David's Chilli Oil | Chilli Oils |
| Dorset Farms | Ham, Bacon, etc. |
| Gourmet Goats | Goat Meat, Skins |
| Great Aunt Lucie's Icecream | Ice Cream & Toppings |
| Long Crichell Bakery | Range of Breads, etc |
| My Natures Maid | Organic/Gluten Free Beer |
| Nicky Llewellyn Flowers | Flowers |
| Olives et al | Tapas |
| Peggies Cupcakes | Cupcakes |
| Perbeck Ice Cream | Ice Cream |
| Pete's New Forest Butchers | Sausages, etc. |
| Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc Ltd. | Fruit Cordials |
| Pots of Pleasure | Unique Gifts |
| Pyman Pâtés | Pâté |
| Rococo | Chocolates |
| Seed Company | Rapeseed Oil |
| Spill the Beans | Healthfood |
| Stream Farm | Beef/Chicken/Lamb/Trout/Pork/Apple Juice/Spring Water |
| Thoroughly Wild Meat Co. | Lamb & Beef Products |
| Trealy Farms | Charcuterie |
| Veru Truly Sicilian | Pasta Sauces, Marmalade & other Artisan fine foods from Sicily |
| Village Kitchen | Patisserie |
| Wan Ling Tea | Tea |
| Woolsery Cheese... | Cheese |
2009 Wild Food Section
| Bruno | Canapés & Tagine |
| Farmyard (Picnic) Café | Veg Food & Cakes |
| Gourmet Farms | Venison Burgers |
| Pizza Dragon | Wood Oven Pizza |
| Storm Fish Restaurant | Cockles, Mussels, etc. |
| The Traditional Beef Co. Ltd. | Meat Boxes |
| Thoroughly Wild Meat Co. | Salt Marsh Lamb & Matured Beef Products |
2009 Turnbull's Cheese Tent
Table 1: Woolsery - Annette Lea
Woolsery is Turnbull's flagship hard goat. Annette makes all the cheese herself and sells it at farmers' markets around the West, local delis and Waitrose. Woolsery won the Cheese Prize at the Blackmore Vale Magazine's 2008 Dorset Food Awards. Made in Cerne Abbas.
Table 2: Daisy & Co - Richard Harbord
Richard & Caroline Harbord have a "Good Life" small holding in north Brewham, near Bruton. Rich and creamy, these cow's milk camembert-style cheeses are wonderfully reliable and breathe summer sunshine. Most popular of the flavoured cheeses are chive, pepper and smoked cheeses. Made near Bruton.
Table 3: Windswept Cow - Marion Field
Cow's milk fresh ("Original") and blue ("St Aldhelms")
Marion is the kind of farmhouse cheesemaker that have all but died out, she's an artisan and traditionalist in the most admirable sense of the words. Windswept Cow was a runner up for the 2008 Dorset Food Awards. Made in Purbeck.
Table 4:
Montgomery's Cheddar - Jamie Montgomery wins more awards for his cheddar than anybody else, including the 2009 Blackmore Vale Somerset Food Awards.
Montgomery's Chedder is older than most and still rocking the taste buds. This is the Mick Jagger of the cheese world.
Dorset Blue Vinney - Michael Davies makes the only authentic Dorset Blue Vinney at Woodbridge Farm near Sturminster Newton. DBV is Dorset's only heritage cheese unique to the county and has a long and convoluted history including illicit midnight cheese deliveries and stilton smugglers
Duckets Caerphilly - Originally a Welsh miners cheese from the town of the same name. For many years Chris Ducket was the only man making this Welsh icon, although in Somerset. These days, Welsh artisan caerphilly makers have learnt their trade from Chris. Sadly Chris died earlier this year, but before he passed away he had the chance to teach one last student, Jemima Cordle, who has taken over the cheese and it is for sale once again.
Table 5: Montgomery's Ogles Shield heated on a Raclette
Nick Oglethorpe and Jamie Montgomery set out to make a cheese that had similar properties as the French raclette. Melt it on a slice of bread, and you have the best cheese on toast this country can produce. We will be using a raclette machine during the festival - come and try it...!
Table 6: Sheep's Milk Cheese
Sheep's cheese is increasingly popular, as an alternative to cow's milk. Favourites from the West Country include:
Beenleigh - lazily called England's Roquefort
Wigmore - England's finest ewe's cheese, also an excellent mould ripened cheese.
Millstone - A local hard cheese from Wootton Organic Dairy near Shepton Mallet.
Table 7: Foreign Cheeses
12kg Gorgonzola - The biggest gooest we can find.
40kg Comte - 12 month old.
Table 8: Wine and much much more...
Come enjoy a multitude of tastings in Turnbull's Cheese Tent:
Wines from Museum Wines to accompany the day's cheese offerings.
Tracklements are a Wiltshire family owned company that make the finest range of relishes, chutneys, pickles & mustards in the UK.
Fudges Biscuits from Stalbridge, are still made by the Fudge family, making good Dorset biscuits like your mother used to. We will showcase the new "Duo Packs" specifically designed to accompany cheeses.
And finally... She's big, She's beautiful, She's Milly - the Blackmore Vale Dairy Cow. Come and squeeze her udders and experience milking the old fashioned way. In a time when children think milk comes from a tetrapack, Milly is there to educate and amuse.
2009 After Dark LIVE Music
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Sponsored by 
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Daytime Saturday After Dark Saturday Evening Daytime Sunday |
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Mano des Dios
Mano des Dios was formed some 2 years ago and began by doing covers, ragtime, gypsy and rumbas at parties, private gigs and clubs. Their friendship and style has evolved through their shared passions for the rhythms, romanticism and songs which make up their sound today. |
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Sophie Barker
The sublime Sophie Barker- regarded as one of the finest live acoustic performers around- perfect,ace (Time out) Sophie Barker is a singer/songwriter and has had a rich and varied career working with Grooverider, Groove Armada, Zero 7 and The Egg. These collaborations have earned sales of a single album going over 1,000,000 copies worldwide, another that went platinum and a No 2 in the UK charts. She also became the voice of BA recording and singing on John Denver's 'Leaving on a Jet Plane'. 'Earthbound' is a collection of her own songs, some written and produced with Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins). 'Lullaby' is a CD for children and the start of 'The Rainbow Collection', which, as a charitable trust raises money to fund various global educational projects, the first being the rebuilding of a school in Kenya. A regular at the best festivals in the country, this year Sophie has already played at Glastonbury, Camp Bestival and Kimberley.http://www.sophiebarker.com |
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Orlando Seale
"The perfect end to the evening was Orlando Seale...the songs are masterpieces to which you could either laugh or cry. This man combines Noel Coward, Gershwin, Cole Porter, Randy Newman, Tom Waits, David Byrne and Morrisey, and succeeds in being different to all of them. See him and his amazing band at your earliest opportunity." Peter Coulston (seatwave) Orlando is a songwriter, artist and actor. For the last two years he's been working on a raft of songs about love and salvation in supermarkets, the lost and found on the underground, and beautiful morons everywhere. He has created a manic-depressive orchestra that goes from intimate to epic. Influences include Piaf, Bowie, Pulp, The Cure, Jeff Buckley, Elliot Smith and Messiaen. Orlando and his band have been performing at some of London's best small venues: the legendary Troubadour, the 12 bar, the Betsey Trottwood, Hoxton Hall (with the Pan I am), the Great Brain Robbery at the Paradise. They have recently played the 'Abril no tan cruel' festival in Madrid, the Winterwell festival, the Fete de la Musique in Paris, and several American dates in SLC and Los Angeles. |
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Tarka Sands
Multi-instrumentalist Tarka Sands began his solo career performing in cosy candlelit clubs around the UK. He has subsequently continued to perform as a solo artist at the uk's loveliest festivals, but has also diversified by playing and touring as a member of The Sophie Barker Band. Tarka has also appeared on bass many times with psychedelic funksters The Egg. In the vein of classic singer-songwriters, his sound is acoustic, mellow, sweetly soulful and even incorporates an unexpected cover here and there... |
All bars will be open and food will be available in the Wild Food Orchard and at the Fish Club. Also the Coffee Fairy will be serving a variety of coffee. |
2009 Walks & Talks
Saturday
11:00 - Falconry Display (Falconhigh)
12:30 - Beekeeping for Children
13:00 - t.b.a.
13:30 - Nikki Llewellyn on Flowers & Food
14:00 - Beekeeping for Children
14:30 - Falconry Display (Falconhigh)
15:30 - Forage Walk & Talk
16:00 - Apple Identification
16:00 - Beekeeping
Sunday
10:15 - Beekeeping for Children
11:30 - Falconry Display (Falconhigh)
12:15-13:15 - Fly Fishing Demo (Mark Hix & Valentine Warner)
14:00-14:45 - Diana Guy on the History of Herbs
14:00 - Beekeeping for Children
14:45 - Falconry Display (Falconhigh)
15:00-15:30 - t.b.a.
15:15-16:00 - Jackie Cole on the Kitchen Garden
16:00-16:30 - James Crowden on Cider Making
2009 Artisan Pavilion
| Ali Sharland | Cullinary Design & Antiques |
| Ann Oldfield | Silversmith |
| Dorset Garden Party | Garden Tools & Gifts |
| Gillian McCormick | Stained Glass Garden Decorations |
| Highly Strung | Handmade Designer Jewellery |
| House of Hud | Boots, Bags & Home Furnishings |
| Julie Byngham Designs | Cards and Painted Trays |
| Kate Kirkby | Gothic Mirrors |
| Norreys | Quality Leather Boots & Shoes |
| NV Culcutta | Ethically produced Handbags |
| Pots'n'Pans | Kitchen Equipment |
2009 Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Specialist Teas by Clipper Teas.
A visit by Keith Allen (ACTOR - The Sheriff of Nottingham in the 'Robinhood' Series).
French Patisserie by the Village Kitchen.
Psychic consultant Vivian Hope is a Psychic genius with a wealth of skills including tarot, palmistry, dream interpretation, mediumship, crystal ball, astrology and psychometry. Reviewed by the Guardian, Evening Standard, Timeout, Miss London and the Daily Express. From 10a.m. - 5p.m. on both days in the Mad Hatters Tea tent.
2009 Childrens Activities
Alice in Wonderland Crèche including Face Painting:
Saturday
10:00-12:00 - Mask & Willow Workshop
12:00-12:30 - Puppet Show
13:30-15:30 - Felt & Corn Dollies Workshop
15:30-16:00 - Puppet Show
Sunday
10:00-12:00 - Lavender Pouches & Streamers Workshop
12:00-12:50 - Story Telling
13:30-15:00 - Willow Butterflies & Candles Workshop
15:00-15:50 - Story Telling
Other activities include:
Decorating Gingerbread Men with Tamsin Allen
Food Foraging Walks
Kids Chocolate & Pizza Making Demos
Fully protected Beekeeping Experience
Workshops
2009 Exhibitors
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