Inaugural food festival looks set to be a winner (From Cotswold Journal)

Inaugural food festival in Chipping Campden looks set to be a winner

11:00am Sunday 13th January 2013 in News By Freya Leng

A NEW week-long food festival celebrating the best of the north Cotswolds is heading to Chipping Campden.

The inaugural Bespoke International Taste Extravaganza (BITE) 2013 will be launched by Gregg Wallace at the Cotswold House Hotel, in Campden, with a special five-course opening dinner on Sunday January 27.

The festival will include exclusive dinners with the country’s top chefs, cooking tips, secrets from the experts, live demonstrations and an all-day food event in the Market Hall.

There will be a host of cooking celebrities including the Fabulous Baker Brothers, Great British Menu judge Prue Leith, Will Holland, chef and patron at La Bécasse, along with travel guide guru Alastair Sawday.

Indunil Upatissa, head chef of the Noel Arms, will be teaming up with Ivor Peters, founder of the Urban Rajah, to host a curry masterclass.

Gregg Wallace will also be judging a competition to find a Junior Masterchef at Chipping Campden School on Monday, January 28, with the winner having produced a dish from ingredients sourced/grown within a 15- mile radius ofthe school.

Festival organiser Julian Ebbutt said it was a first for the town.

“There’s nothing like it,” he said. “The intention is to celebrate everything that’s great around here.

“We chose this time of year as there’s not a huge amount going on.

“We wanted to celebrate what the people of the north Cotswolds can do. Hopefully it will become part of the festival calendar.

“We are hoping it’s going to be the first of many years.

Next year, we would like to roll it out to other hotels and restaurants.” The events, at the Cotswold House Hotel and the Noel Arms, will run until Sunday, February 3.

This is not the first time the two hotels have supported community events.

Staff provided food for the street party for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June last year, catering for more than 400 guests.

“I think it showed what we can do when the town works together,” added Mr Ebbutt.

“Campden needs a bit of self-promotion. It’s one of the prettiest places.”

To see the full programme and book tickets to events log on to www.thebite.co or call Cotswold House Hotel on 01386 840330.