THE third Tonbridge Food and Drink Festival attracted more than 16,000 visitors to Castle Lawn over the weekend of May 26-27.
Around 60 stallholders dished up a range of treats from around the globe, while also showcasing some of the finest produce from the region.
Alongside Kentish cheeses, cakes and confectionery there were Balkan kebabs, Ghanaian stews, Thai curries and Mexican burritos.
There were English wines, sensational fruit juices, beer made from bread, spicy hot sauces and cooling ice creams.
The extravaganza was organised by the team behind Tonbridge Farmers’ Market, which won the Taste of Kent Award for Kent Farmers’ Market of the Year in 2017
As well as the rich variety of options for casual diners, the Cookery Theatre laid on masterclasses by local chefs and foodies such as Will Devlin of the Small Holding in Kilndown and Bruce McMichael of the Lemon Grove in Tunbridge Wells.
Jo Banks’ Alive with Flavour Hands-On Tent offered children the chance to be involved and learn about food.
There were chocolate pizzas in association with Temper Temper in Southborough, while kids could also create their own Eton mess and make ‘under the sea’ sugar paste characters.
Many children also submitted entries for the ever-popular Great Tonbridge Cake Off.
Howard Porter of Tonbridge Town Team, who helped set up the event, said: ‘We are enormously pleased with this year’s Tonbridge Food and Drink Festival, which gets better and better each year.
‘We were lucky with the weather, with the thunderstorms conveniently taking place overnight, but the people of Tonbridge are, of course, the real stars.’
He added: ‘The enthusiasm in the town for this and the other events that take place throughout the year is always striking, which gives us the confidence to carry on pursuing exciting ideas that will help to put Tonbridge on the map as one of the most exciting destinations in Kent.’
PICTURE: FULL TO BURSTING: 11,000 visitors came to the festival on Saturday alone
