A BANGER OF AN EVENT ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

2008 SWEETCORN FAYRE: 26–28 SEPTEMBER

Beer and bangers as well as sweetcorn will be on the menu when the Isle of Wight stages its second Sweetcorn Fayre at Arreton Barns in the rural heart of the Island from 26th-28th September. Designed as an integral part of British Food Fortnight, the event celebrates the end of the sweetcorn harvest, and brings together local producers and restaurant chefs who are committed to ‘cooking local’. It is sponsored by Wightlink (0871 376 1000 www.wightlink.co.uk), which will launch its free Eat Wight1 recipe booklet at the festival.

WHAT IT COSTS

Cross the Solent with event sponsor Wightlink, whose day return car ferry tickets cost from £35 for a car and four passengers (visit www.wightlink.co.uk/specialoffers for details of special ferry offers). Alternatively get a real taste of Wight on a weekend food break at the Hambrough where Michelin-starred Robert Thompson has just taken over as chef/patron. A two- night Wightlink package, departing from either Portsmouth or Lymington on 26th September, costs £298 per person and includes ferry travel, dinner, bed and breakfast in a deluxe room. Sweetcorn Fayre visitors on Sunday 28th September will be charged £2 entry, which includes entry to the Shipwreck & Nautical Museum and a cob of Farmer Jack’s sweetcorn, but other days are free.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SWEETCORN FAYRE

Sunday is the main food day: Visitors can meet local producers in the Farmers Market, chat with farmers about seasonal flavours, and taste food being cooked by the people who produced it. The popular Farmer Jack’s Food Theatre will feature demonstrations by top Island chefs, who will create quality dishes with the finest local ingredients. The grand finale features the 2008 Sweetcorn Eating Competition where competitors battle it out to consume cobs of corn in record time!
 

The Sweetcorn Fayre kicks off on Friday 26th September with a Beer Festival which will run throughout the weekend, featuring Island brews from Ventnor Brewery and other local brewers. Friday night will also see the Farmer Jack’s 2008 Sausage Competition decide who can produce the best Isle of Wight sausage.

On Saturday 27th September the Children’s Food Festival offers kids the chance to meet real live farmers and learn about local, seasonal food and healthy eating while enjoying games and food tasting fun. There are a host of food activities for visitors to get involved in over the weekend, plus craft displays, llamas, and old fashioned fayre ground rides.