It was full houses all round for the three-day 20th anniversary Food Festival organised by Slow Food Aylsham – despite the threat of Storm Amy.
The Snail Profiterole, part of the Festival Dinner.
The Festival Dinner at Aylsham High School was fully booked with 100 guests who braved the rain and wind to enjoy the three-course Italian-themed meal (in recognition of the Slow Movement’s historic Italian legacy) and a storming musical interlude featuring two stars from the school musical, Matilda – Edie Cropper and Lennon Hall-Galley.
Guest speaker, Shane Holland, Executive Chair Slow Food UK, praised the people of Aylsham for their support of Slow Food and making the Festival the success that it has become.
“It’s towns like this who understand the value of good, clean, food and supports its local producers, farmers, and traders, that help grow the local economy,” he said.
“And, of all the schools that I’ve visited up and down the country, none compare with Aylsham High School for its commitment to community involvement.”
Despite Storm Amy, which deterred nearly all Market Place traders for the Saturday Food & Crafts Market, visitors to the Town Hall were greeted with a varied selection of home-made cakes and pies to classic Norfolk wines and cheeses as well as local crafts, and music by local folk band Joan’s Silver Pin and children’s face painter, Rose Weaver.
Then it was time for people to relax at the Big Slow Sunday Brunch – also a sell-out – but not for the tireless Slow Food team and their helpers, who fried more than 70 eggs, grilled scores of sausages and multiple pounds of rashers, tomatoes and many, many mushrooms and served about a dozen litres of fruit juice.
Miriam Betts, aged 8, helps her father Arthur at the Food & Craft Market Cheese stall.
But it was worth it.
The many gracious “thank yous” we received made it all worthwhile.
After all the washing up was done – special thanks to Gavin and son Jamie and Andy – and the Town Hall was cleared of the bain-marie, toasters, tea and coffee cups, tables and chairs, to make room for the Aylsham Players for their rehearsals, it was time to go home for a long lie down.
NB: Item for next Slow Food Aylsham meeting agenda: Food Festival 2026?
Slow Food Aylsham would like to thank all those who
Face painter Rose Weaver adds a splash of colour to this visitor’s face.
took part in this year’s Food Festival – Aylsham High School and students, the town traders (see below), community groups, and the many volunteer helpers – to help make it a most memorable anniversary year.
