On a glorious, sun-soaked, baking hot Sunday (12 July), the historic Market Place in Aylsham became a passport to world flavours. The fragrant blend of spices and herbs from Asia mingled with the smoky richness of African cuisine, while the sweet scents of the Caribbean competed with the irresistible aroma of paprika, onions and garlic wafting from European favourites. Every corner offered something tempting, making it impossible to leave hungry.
Organised by Slow Food Aylsham in partnership with Aylsham Town Council’s Events Team, the festival attracted hundreds of food lovers eager to swap the traditional Sunday roast for an international feast. Visitors sampled authentic dishes from South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Hungary and Mexico, alongside a tempting selection of regional specialities, turning the traditional Sunday lunch into a culinary adventure.
With tables and chairs set out across the Market Place and inside the Town Hall, diners were able to relax, soak up the sunshine or cool off and enjoy their meals while listening to the upbeat sounds of local duo Fiasco, featuring Kate Munro and Samantha Norman, whose live performance provided the perfect soundtrack to the afternoon.
There was plenty to keep younger visitors entertained too. Face painter Katrin from CrazySkins proved as popular as ever, transforming excited children into colourful flowers, fierce tigers and an array of exotic animals, adding an extra splash of colour to an already vibrant celebration.
From fiery flavours and global favourites to live music and family fun, Aylsham’s International Street Food Fair once again demonstrated that some of the world’s best journeys can begin with a single bite.
Slow Food Aylsham is indebted to the following street food vendors for their continued support for this event:
Chef Norgate | Claire’s Crepes & Bakes | Durban Grill, S African | Hungarian Street Food | Maghrebi, N Africa | Owies | Surfing Sombrero | Take Thai | The Lick Caribbean