LUCTON School became the centre of the county's culinary world when the school hosted the inaugural Lucton Food Festival recently.

Boasting around 30 local producers, growers and brewers, festival goers were treated to a chance to sample and purchase some of the finest food and drink from across the region and surround areas.

Chairman of the organising committee, David Bicker-Caarten, said "We had some wonderful exhibitors on the day offering a wide selection of goods including, artisan breads from the Hedonist Bakery, the finest British salami from the Forest Pig Charcuterie and delightful home-made ice cream from the Kelsmor Dairy to name just a few."

Visitors to the festival were also treated to a host of demonstrations and workshops. "The workshops were a great addition to the day and something we want to build on for next year. We are very grateful to The Pampered Chef who hosted a demonstration of all the latest kitchen tools and gadgets and to Rayeesa's Indian Kitchen and The Riverside Inn, Aymestrey who both led cookery masterclasses."

David feels the key to the festival's success was based on its broad appeal, adding, "As a parent I felt it was important that children should be involved and for the festival to be something the whole family could enjoy, so it was wonderful to have the Shack Revolution and the Applebox Cake Studio running children's workshops and helping to get them enthusiastic about food and local producers."

"We've been bowled over by the level of support that the festival has had from the local community. It was an absolutely superb day and we are so grateful to everyone who attended. We hope that next year we will have even more exhibitors and workshops, so watch this space."