One of the UK's largest regional food festivals is happening in Leicestershire this weekend. The East Midlands Food Festival will take place at Melton market on Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2.

The festival, which is returning for its 18th year, will feature around 180 exhibitors, with produce including Melton Mowbray pork pies, Stilton and Red Leicester cheeses, locally-produced gin and rum, beer, wine and cider and all manner of baked goods, both savoury and sweet.

A highlight of the event will be a street food zone with hot dishes from around the world. Greek, Indian and Thai cuisine will be among the options available.

READ MORE: Leicestershire's best Indian restaurants and takeaways according to Leicester Curry Awards 2022

In addition to the food and drink stalls, chefs including TV’s Rachel Green will be giving live cooking demonstrations. On Saturday, Melton's 'Mr Pork Pie' Stephen Hallam will talk about the history of the pie, and give a pie-raising demonstration, and Mike Miller of Loxley's Larder will show how to make salami at home and The Cooking Maharaja will be making samosas, complete with Bollywood music, and Teresa Bovey will demonstrate dishes that are easy on the waistline.

Stephen Hallam helps visitors to make traditional Melton Mowbray pork pies
Stephen Hallam helps visitors to make traditional Melton Mowbray pork pies

Stephen Hallam will return with another pork pie demonstration on Sunday, and Rachel Green will make tasty dishes from pumpkins. Also on Sunday, Teresa Bovey will focus on festive feasts, and ChilliBob will be hosting a chilli challenge.

Children will be able to take part in activities such as butter making and chocolate lollipop making in a special zone for youngsters, as part of activities designed to both entertain and educate them about food. There will be performances by the EAGA Gospel Choir and Melstrum Ukulele Band, as well as Melton Musical Theatre, the latter on Sunday only.

Organiser of the festival Matthew O’Callaghan said: “Right on our doorstep you have an amazing variety of food and drink from across the East Midlands and beyond. There’s loads of goodies to try and buy and take home, and there’s plenty to eat on-site from a mouth-watering selection of street food, the largest selection in the region. We’ve also gone out of our way to attract exhibitors who cater for vegetarians, vegans and those who are sensitive to certain food ingredients.”

The event takes place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are £6 per day, per person in advance or on the gate. Children 16 and under enter free but must be accompanied by an adult.

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