Reaction to the Real Food Festival 2008
by Sarah LComplete Media Group launched the Real Food Festival on 24th - 27th April 2008. Here is a selection of reactions to the successful event.
“The Real Food Festival was every bit as diverse and exciting as I had hoped. At long last, we have a national stage for the small producer, more concerned with flavour and sustainability than bagging a quick buck. It showed that British artisan producers –as well as those from around Europe – are thriving and there is a proper market for real, slow food. This is good news not just for these farmers and producers but for our taste buds and bellies too.”
Tom Parker Bowles
“The Real Food Festival was a real treat. It was fun. It was a fine showcase for some great produce from small producers. And it made some serious points as well. You can’t say that of the Ideal Home Exhibition”.
Matthew Fort, The Guardian
“I very much enjoyed the Real Food Festival, thanks again for the invitation”.
Carina Perkins, Meat Trades Journal
“Liked the sawdust, the sheep shearing, the Barney Haughton demonstration. Great set up for students to cook etc, all the exhibitors were good, debate was excellent, all in all a good show”.
Mitzie Wilson, Editorial food consultant
“I thoroughly enjoyed the event, especially chance to talk direct to the producers. There were some great characters, and clearly everyone had a real passion for their produce”.
Catherine Jackson, Channel 4
“It was very enjoyable. Spoke to loads of producers, learnt a lot during the workshops, and came away with dozens of story ideas to pitch to editors!”
Sejal Sukhadwala, Freelance
“Many thanks – the debate was excellent”.
James Parker, Multiple Buyer & Retailer Magazine
“I enjoyed the tasting and thought the show was fantastic - met lots of interesting producers”.
Jackie Mitchell, Freelance
“I loved it, it was really great. I came on Thursday evening to the opening party which was excellent”.
Harriet Arbuthnot
“I thought the Real Food Festival was great. The theatre was very engaging and I talked to a handful of really interesting producers about biodynamic wine. It didn’t seem too busy either which was a plus, as often the stress of jostling through big crowds at food festivals can spoil your experience.”
Helenka Bednar, Freelance
“Wonderful to have the chance to chat to the producers, and try lots of stuff. Thought the demonstrations and more hands-on cookery classes looked great fun. Much better than other food shows I’ve been to - seemed to cut out a lot of the dross and actually have really nice exhibitors”.
Eleanor Maidment, Square Meal
“I thought Real Food Festival seemed great and a really good mix of small producers - lots were unfamiliar to me. I really liked the way the Festival was laid out, with the sawdust etc. Thought Barny’s hands-on demos were a great idea. Also liked the fact that refreshingly different line up of chefs doing demos not usual celeb mob”.
Sudi Pigott, Freelance
“Loved the sawdust/loose material flooring, and the effort to create a farmers market look and feel. There were plenty of tasty nibbles around to try and enjoy and we found most stallholders very helpful and quite informative when asked about their products. All in all a very enjoyable day out, and looking forward to the next one”.
James Hunter, Evening Standard
“A wonderful time and met so many great people. Also enjoyed the debate. My Mum and I both agreed we could have spent the whole day and the evening there”.
Wendy Lloyd-Gawin, BBC Radio London
“It was great opportunity to meet face to face with a lot of new and exciting producers. The festival had a great atmosphere and we made contact with many people whose produce and passions were a perfect fit for Market Kitchen, a daily show all about real food and how to cook it. Look forward to next year’s being even bigger and better”.
Janice Gabriel, Market Kitchen
“It was great to see so much excellent produce under one roof. The Real Food Festival is like the supermarket of my dreams”.
Toby Young, GQ, Independent on Sunday and The Spectator
“It was a great festival - there was an excellent range of producers, I was really impressed with the non-corporate image and I picked up some wonderful ideas for my new shop. Well done”.
Anthony Worrall Thompson, celebrity chef
It was great! I loved the variety of foods on offer.
Jo Hill, Delia Online
“I thought the Real Food Festival was excellent. I really enjoyed it and I’m hoping it’s going to take place again next year so I can tell a few friends and family to go! The debate was really interesting, and I loved the fact that there was so much food to try and so many producers to meet. I picked up some ideas for freelance features and made some good contacts too.”
Fiona Griffiths
“It’s a real privilege these days to be able to taste a great cheese and then speak to the person who made that cheese. Add some great bread - and a great baker on hand - and a dozen oysters - and oyster-openers to chat up - and you’ve got my idea of real food. Because real food can only come from real people. There is only one way to tell if food is real and that is if it tastes good. It tastes good because it has been properly made, hand-made, made with care by people who are concerned about more than just making a quid. In that sense, the Real Food Festival is a true celebration.”
Jill Dupleix, The Sunday Times
“The Real Food Festival was an absolute triumph - so many committed and dedicated people, all passionate about their products and how their ingredients were sourced. It was fantastic to see producers there who wouldn’t normally be able to afford a space at a big London festival - and really interesting to hear them talking about how they’d made their businesses such a success. The cookery demonstrations and classes were excellent, and the food debate was inspiring as well as educational. Everything I tried was totally delicious - the five kinds of sticky toffee pudding alone were worth the entry price.”
Felicity Spector, Channel 4 News
Tags: Complete, London, Real Food Festival