Celebrity chef James Martin has heralded Bolton Food and Drink Festival as the “best” of its kind in the country.
The event is organised by Bolton Council, in association with Aldi, and organisers have said the event was a huge success after the town welcomed thousands of visitors, despite the rain over the Bank Holiday.
The festival finished its four day extravaganza on Monday, with headliner James Martin. It was a family affair for James who brought his mum. He said, other than Strictly Come Dancing, it was the only other “gig” his mum had come to, with him, in 24 years.
James was also surprised with a showstopper cake by Bolton baker Kay Gajra to celebrate his tenth appearance. The cake took Kay over a week to make.
“This is the biggest and best food festival in the UK,” he said. "It’s a great event. Ten years ago it didn’t look anything like what it is now. It has morphed into a giant of a food festival – it’s got better every year and it’s one of the few festivals I do. The cake is gobsmacking – I wouldn’t know where to start with a cake like that. Kay has a huge talent.”
People flocked in to sample food and drink from more than 200 traders, watch top chefs in action and enjoy live music and entertainment over the four days.
The Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Linda Thomas, said that the festival had been a huge success. She said: “It is hard to imagine, but somehow this festival gets better each year. Official figures are still being calculated but we know despite the weather people were still out in their thousands enjoying our fantastic festival. It is a testament to everyone involved in organising it that it is such a big hit with the public. It is a real family event and it has been great to see people of all ages having a good time.”
Virgil Simpson, Logistics Director at Aldi UK, added: “It was fantastic to see the Bolton community again for drinks and nibbles at our fourth year of sponsoring the event. Our gins and real ale tastings, along with our Exquisite range of wines went down a treat with festival-goers. We also discovered Bolton's 'Star Bakers' with the cake competition that showed us what delicious creations can be made with Aldi ingredients.”
The festival hosted its first ever cake competition on Monday and the overall winner was Becky Wareing. Emily Newcombe won the under-16 category and Lisa Elliott won the adult category.
Cakes were a big theme of the festival - Michael Caines launched the festival on Friday and was joined by baker Rose Dummer, from Channel 4’s Extreme Cake Makers. She unveiled an Egyptian-themed cake to celebrate the opening of Bolton Museum’s new £3.8m Egyptian Galleries on September 22.
Michael said: “I’ve been doing Bolton now for at least eight years and what I enjoy about Bolton is seeing this community festival evolve. The community spirit is just fantastic. There’s something for everybody.”
Great British Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain entertained audiences on Saturday, and along with cooking hosted a Slattery afternoon tea. She said: “This is my first festival this year and I’m very excited. Bolton has a lovely atmosphere, very different from anything else I’ve done. Since I came in 2016 it has grown so much.”
On Sunday, crowd pleaser Ainsley Harriott had captive audiences at his shows. It was his second visit to the festival and as well as cooking, he hosted a pasty and beer event with Matt Carr and beer sommelier Annabel Smith.
Ainsley said: “If you haven't been to this year's Bolton Food and Drink Festival, then you have missed something special. Come on down next year, you'll have the time of your life – the festival always happens around Bank Holiday August.”
And there was also lots to keep the children occupied – Stone Soup theatre performances in the Albert Halls, free Egyptian themed activities in The Market Place Shopping courtesy of Bolton Central Library and Museum Services and an interactive free cookery kitchen in Crompton Place.
Along with celebrity chefs, the weekend saw a host of free demonstrations in Bolton Market and in Crompton Place from the likes of Luis Troyano, Masterchef winner Simon Wood and local favourite Alain Job.
Other highlights included a gin festival, live music from Bolton’s finest bands and musicians at the Festival Stage on Le Mans Crescent and Real Ale Bar stage on Victoria Square. The festival’s first Sunday evening supper club was also hosted by comedian Steve Royle with chefs Andrew Nutter and Simon Wood.
Cllr John Byrne, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Sport, said: “This is the first time we combined comedy with cooking and it worked a treat. Everyone had a fantastic night and we’re already looking forward to next year.”
Traders were also pleased with the event. David Howells, from the Cumbrian Pie Company, said: "This is my fourth year here. It is always very well organised and attracts a great crowd. Along with Christmas markets, this is the best and most profitable event we do all year.”
Bolton is twinned with Paderborn in Germany and Le Mans in France, and a delegation were in town for the festival over the weekend. The Deputy Mayor of Le Mans, Catherine Brule Delahaye said: “Fantastique and extrardinaire. Such an original festival with very high quality food and a great variety.”
For more information visit www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com, follow Bolton Food and Drink Festival page on Facebook, @boltonfoodfest on Twitter or @boltonfoodfest on Instagram.