Something for everyone as Cosford Food Festival draws big crowds

Spicy chilli mayonnaise, deep fried soft shell crab, steamed hirata buns, kebabs, gourmet vegan food and cake meant there was something for every palate at the festival, which ran yesterday.

Queues were forming before the gates opened and the car parks were filling up by mid morning with people turning out in force to sample the delights of the 90 exhibitors who had set up their stalls.

Amongst the entertainment were the Shawbury Military Wives, The Dirty Rockin Scoundrels and the ever popular Bluebird Belles.

Michelle Worthington, public relations manager at the RAF base said she was delighted with the turnout for the festival - which was celebrating 100 years of the RAF.

Now in its sixth year, the food festival attracts food producers from all over Shropshire, the West Midlands and beyond.

And while it remained cloudy, everyone was too busy enjoying themselves to notice the slightly overcast skies.

Michelle said: "The rain we had on Friday actually freshened up the air which helped in the tents and marquees.

"The festival has grown year on year - this year we had double the amount of potential exhibitors than we required so we had the tricky situation of narrowing them down. But I am really pleased with how it has gone. We expect to have had between 12,000-14,000 visitors which will be fantastic.

"It is a unique setting for the festival and means that people can come in and have a look around the food tents and then make their way in to the museum. I can't think of any other festival around here that offers such variety."

Preparing for the day was Stu Harmer, a former RAF chef who was busy getting ready for his slot in the Tips and Tasters tent. He was getting the ingredients ready for a Burmese dish of hot and sour pork meatballs in a sauce of peppers, chillies, lime and fish sauce.

"I am really looking forward to my demonstration," said Stu, who had travelled from his home in Wiltshire especially for the festival.

Taking a break with a slab of cake were Greg James, 32 and Shaz Hansrod, 27, both clinical scientists from Birmingham. "I just thought it would be a really nice day out," said Greg. "We hadn't been to a food festival before and it has been great."

Offering tasters to passersby was Jay Webley from The Chilli Alchemist, a Bristol based company. “This is my first time at this festival,” said Jay, " and I have to say I am very impressed. Other traders told me that it was really good so I decided to give it a try, and I am pleased I did. We make marinades, sauces and mayonnaises and they have gone down really well.”