Kingston Food Festival celebrates local produce

A week-long celebration of gourmet and local food and drink is set to take place in Kingston next week. 

Kingston Food Festival, which runs from August 6 to 12, will include Kingston Restaurant Week, daily children's food events and workshops, a food trail and a head-to-head Cocktail Mix Off where Kingston’s mixologists shake it up for a coveted award.

The highlight of the week, however, will undoubtedly be the Big Kingston Market on August 11 and 12. The market will featuring more than 70 producers and growers from Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex, alongside demos from top chefs on the Live Food Show stage.

For those who want to delve a little deeper, a programme of tastings and masterclasses will be available covering popular topics such as English wines, cheeses and chocolate.

Ros Morgan, chief executive of Kingstonfirst, the company behind the festival, said: "We anticipate another big favourite of the week will be the English Beer, Wine and Cider Festival featuring artisan and award-winning drinks from London and the south east region. From noon on Friday 10 until 10pm on Sunday 12 August, head to the riverside. It's the perfect Kingston summer day out."

Entry to many events is free of charge. Tickets for masterclasses and details of Kingston Restaurant Week participants can be found on www.kingstonfoodfestival.com.