Some of the best artisan food producers in Wales descended on Southerndown Beach last Saturday to show off and sell their products. Members of the public were able to sample and buy the foodie goodies, as well as attend talks and product demonstrations.
The Food Festival was put on by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Slow Food movement’s South East Wales branch. ‘Slow Food’, named as the opposite of fast food, began in Italy in 1986 to preserve Europe’s culinary traditions and small-scale producers in the face of the globalisation of American dining.
Vale MP Alun Cairns was one of the food lovers at the event, sampling Tomas a Lilford beer brewed in Llantwit Major and Melin Ia Ice Cream from Penarth. Although Mr Cairns was unable to sample as much food as he would have liked due to his runners diet, he did knock back consecutive shots of olive oil at a demonstration of the difference that exists between different varieties.
Mr Cairns said, “The Food Festival was a good job well done by organisers in the Vale Council and the Slow Food movement. Hundreds turned up and enjoyed the tastes and demonstrations on offer.
“I certainly learned much more about the different varieties of Olive Oil, which I hope will impressive my wife after my next shopping trip!
“If you missed the event I would well recommend looking up and using local food and drink producers in the Vale. Food and drink with a local provenance tastes just that bit better knowing that you are supporting your neighbours and the local economy.”