Summary / highlights of Liverpool Food and Drink Festival 7th-8th September 2013
As Sefton Park played host to the 2013 Liverpool food and drink festival, foodies and critics alike embarked upon it's grounds to feast their senses on a vast array of culinary delights. I was one of the excited masses. A huge array of stalls awaited hungry punters and food and wine was in abundance.
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Cocktails of all flavours available to sample
The cocktails on offer to sample and purchase were numerous. If unlike me you had chosen to use public transport to attend the festival, you would most likely leave Sefton Park feeling somewhat inebriated. I, on the other hand purchased some cheeky little bottles to consume at home. They say that patience is a virtue and let me tell you, the samples were worth the wait by the time I had got my new purchases back home!
A marvellous find for me was the alcoholic offering by Rubis; an indulgent blend of fortified wine with a premium chocolate flavour on offer for the price of £10 per bottle, £19 for two or £28 for three (Of course I bought three). Everyone needs a bit of chocolate in their life. The fact that it was in liquid form and alcoholic was a no brainer and a definite selling point for me. Check out the Rubis website.
The park was split into zones and the ones that I spent most time at were the: Orange zone for spirits and wine, brown zone for chocolate (obviously) and the red zone which was home to restaurants, bars and the cookery demo tent. The aesthetic beauty and the presentation of each of the stalls was second to none and it enticed potential testers and purchases. From designer vodkas, to the gorgeous chocolate and even oysters, there was something to tickle every discerning taste-bud.
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| Gorgeous displays of Roberto Cavalli vodkas |
Nisha Katona - Merseyside's finest was around all weekend to host each of the cookery demonstrations which took place in the red zone's demonstration marquee. In addition, she delivered her own demonstration on Saturday afternoon and created two tantalising dishes; prawn curry per the Hindu style of cookery as well as a chicken curry dish which followed the Islamic model of cooking. Nisha runs a curry clinic on Twitter and can be followed @nishakatona
Unfortunately, I was unable to catch all of the demonstrations but was happy to see: Gizzi Erskine - the glam author of "Cook yourself thin", Levi Roots - charismatic creator of Reggae, Reggae sauce, the talented Shelina Permaloo - winner of BBC's masterchef and the fabulous Nisha Katona- curry evangelist and author of "Curry in a hurry"
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| Gizzi Erskine with Nisha Katona |
Gizzi encouraged the audience to be adventurous with their cooking and said that it really is OK to eat Carbohydrtes from time to time. She explained the importance of moderation and said that she allows herself one day a week when she can eat whatever she likes.
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| Curry Evangelist Nisha Katona & Masterchef winner Shelina Permaloo |
Shelina discussed her passion for cooking and her desire to help others cook. She told the audience where her passion for cooking came from. A truly talented chef who is passionate about helping others deliver recipes like the ones in her acclaimed book
"Sunshine on a plate". For Tweets from Shelina, follow her on @shelinacooks
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| Nisha Katona hosts cookery demonstrations on Saturday & Sunday in the marquee |
Nisha was a fabulous host and asked quality questions about each chef's personal vision as well as focusing on the recipes being demonstrated. Her eloquence and charismatic interaction with each celebrity chef kept the audience engaged and allowed them to get a sense of what the chefs represented whilst simultaneously disseminating all of the technical detail of the cooking processes. I admired Nisha's level of focus and professionalism. To me, she was the perfect choice as a host for the cooking demonstrations for the duration of the festival.
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| The team at Coppa Cocktails showcasing the Coppa ready to serve cocktails. Visit the Coppa Cocktails website or contact by email |
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Service with a smile from the Coppa cocktails team.
The chocolate cellar is a big favourite of mine. They were situated in the brown zone - home to the chocolates on sale for the festival. This local business always has a large presence at food festivals across Merseyside and rightfully so. The chocolate cellar always offer a great range of hand crafted chocolate at reasonable prices. The level of skill and intricacy involved in producing chocolate products of high standards is not to be underestimated. You are always guaranteed a warm welcome from the ladies at the chocolate cellar.
For award winning chocolate and luxury gifts, visit the chocolate cellar website and follow on Twitter @ChocolateCellar
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| Warm welcome from the ladies at the Chocolate cellar |
Being of Jamaican descent, Raggas Caribbean restaurant is a firm favourite of mine. I often frequent their restaurants at Lark Lane and Smithdown Road in Liverpool despite it involving a round trip that takes almost an hour. I was therefore glad to see Raggas at the festival.
Their offerings for the weekend included Jerk lamb burgers which were extremely tantalising to the taste buds. They served up a fiery tongue tingling kick which made the taster hungry for more. In addition to these delightful buns of caribbean delight, the stall offered jerk chicken wraps with a chilli sauce which also provided some welcome warmth and heat amidst the inclement North West weather.
For the best in Caribbean cuisine visit the
Raggas website
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| Firm fave - Raggas Caribbean takeaway - with Gareth Griffin |
A few of the other stalls exhibiting at the festival
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| Oyster bar |
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| One of the many cocktail bars |
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| Reggae Reggae van |
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| Nisha Katona interviewing Levi Roots |
The festival was a great chance to sample foods and drinks from different parts of the globe. The friendliness of the exhibitors and the great culinary mix offered compensated for the dismal mix of UK weather. The festival go-ers spirits were definitely not dampened, instead their bellies were full and their larders enriched with new delights. Bring on LFDF 2014!
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