Manger a Trois tickets now on Sale
Tickets for the three Manger a Trois evenings are now on sale! All tickets are priced at £25 each are available from the Festival office on the second floor of Hilton House (above the Lounge) in Market Square. "We have received many enquiries about the Manger a Trois evenings and tickets are sure to be sold very quickly," said Jill Hood, Festival Administrator. "We will also be selling tickets in the town each Saturday between now and Festival. My advice is to get your tickets early to avoid disappointment."
The three events this year are the 'Chef's Signature Specials' on Tuesday 30th September featuring Thai Lanna, Istanbul Palace and The Mill; 'Little Venice' on Wednesday 1st October featuring Pasta di Piazza, Brindley's Floating Restaurant and La Dolce Vita; and 'Musical Meander' on Thursday 2nd October featuring Granvilles, The Crown and Anchor and The Lounge.
Diners will be treated to a three course meal but each course will be taken in a different restaurant! And each night the event's sponsors, Peter Plant the Jewellers, will be handing back the cost of two tickets to the holders of the lucky numbered tickets! So make sure you take your ticket with you!
Colin Taylor to act as Cookery Demonstration compere.
Food and Drink Festival organisers are delighted to announce that Colin Taylor has agreed to act as compere for the demonstrations which will take place throughout the Festival.Colin is renowned for his wicked sense of humor and wit, unfortunately for us last year ,he had already committed to working elsewhere when we approached him to appear at The Stone Food and Drink Festival.
"Janine Machin is coming back to Stone and will be compereing some of the demos," explained Jill Hood, Festival Administrator. "But unfortunatley Janine can't be with us all the time. So we are delighted that Colin has agreed to share the compereing duties. Colin is well known as a compere at several recent events in the town. He did a superb job as Master of Ceremonies at Andy Whitehall's Sparathon and also as compere for the hugely succesful Music Festival a few weeks ago."
Colin will be compere for the opening ceremony on Friday 3rd October and for the rest of the day in the Trentham Estate Demonstration Kitchen. He will also assist at various times over the weekend.
Wine Tastings every day!
 If you appreciate fine wines you are in for a treat! Or if you just want to learn a little more about the wines in general then this is for you. Andrew Wilson of Old School Wines in Tittensor will be giving tutored Wine Tastings in the Titanic Tasting tent every day at 2.30 pm.
On Friday 3rd October he will be hosting a 'blind' tasting of "Champagne and Sparkling Wines" with tutored instruction. There will be at least eight wines to be sampled and, judging from previous similar tastings, this one is bound to be popular.
On Saturday 4th October, Andrew will take you on a tour of New Zealand wines during "Sauvignon Blanc and beyond". Red and Whites, North and South Islands - this promises to a diverse and fascinating session.
On Sunday 5th October, Andrew will be showcasing his favourite Italian wines in "Beyond Chianti". Andrew will be illustrating the fine wines from the smaller wine producers.
All tastings will involve sampling at least eight wines and will last for about an hour. Tickets, price £7.50, are available from the Food and Drink Festival office in the Market Square.
Beers announced for Roger Protz's Tasting
Roger Protz will be treated to the best of locally brewed bottled beers when he gives his Tutored Tasting session on Friday 3rd October. Niel Fardon, known locally for his wide knowledge of the local brewing scene, has put together an exciting list of bottled conditioned beers from nine Stafforsdshire and three neighbouring breweries.
"I have deliberately tried to make this year's Tasting a more local affair. There's a wide range of styles and I'm sure Roger will find my selection interesting!" said Niel. "I wish to thank the breweries who have donated their products. I'm sure Roger will appreciate the great strides our local brewers are making in this difficult trading environment."
Breweries who are supplyng beers for the Tasting Session are Blythe Brewery from Hamstall Ridware; Staffordshire Brewing Co from Leek; Peakstone Rock Brewery; Titanic Brewery; Beowulf from Chasewater; Burton Bridge Brewery and Museum Brewery both from Burton; Storm Brewing from just over the border at Macclesfield; Lions Tail Brewery in Cheswardine and Spinning Dog Brewery from Hereford. How's that for an impressive selection.
Tickets for the Roger Protz Tasting Session are available from the Food and Drink Festival Office in the Market Square. Cash or Cheque only made payable to Stone Food and Drink Festival. Enquiries 07736413097
Local artist creates Food and Drink masterpiece!
 Emma Joustra has quickly established herself as a highly talented and distinctive local artist with her very unusual Stone scenes. Her prints of the Farmers' Market and the Stone Festival are well known and are already on sale at her stall at the monthly Farmers' Market - so the Food and Drink Festival Working Group was delighted when Emma agreed to produce a picture of last year's Gourmet Food Marquee on Westbridge Park.
"We provided Emma with a host of photographs of the event and of people who had been involved. From these Emma has produced the most amazing picture. She says that it was the most complicated she has done to date and I can understand why," said Jill Hood, Festival Administrator. "It is fascinating identifying people in the picture. We shall be using the picture in our publicity for the Festival and prints wil be on sale in the Gourmet Food Marquee."
 Peter Plant Jewellers to sponsor Manger a Trois
Peter Plant, the High Street jeweller, has become the sponsor of this year's Manger a Trois - and it is sponsorship with a difference! Not only will Peter be funding the printing and administrative costs of the three Manger a Trois evenings but he will also be handing back the sum £50, the price of two tickets, to a lucky winner each night!
All tickets will be numbered and each night Peter will draw the lucky number from the hat. The diner with the matching ticket number will win the £50.
"We are delighted with Peter's offer of sponsorship. The Manger a Trois events are always very popular and this chance to win the cost of the tickets will really add a special sparkle to the evening for all the diners," said Jill Hood, Festival Admionistrator.
Full details of each Manger a Trois event can be found on the Manger a Trois page of this website.
Minibus Trail to run again
The Minibus Trail's former sponsors have left town but the Minibus Trail to country pubs lives on! Concerned 'trailers' were worried that the closure of the Stone branch of our former sponsors meant that the event would be cancelled this year. However the Food and Drink Festival Working Group decided that the event was so popular and of such benefit to surrounding country pubs that they would ensure that the Minibus Trail continued this year.
"This event will probably not break even this year but it would be a tragedy to cancel it," said Richard Stevens, Festival Chairman. "I am hopeful that we may still receive some sponsorship but whatever happens the Minibus Trail will survive."
Keep looking at the Real Ale Trail page for further details.
Bring the kiddies with you to the Festival
(Sponsored By Canal Cruising.)
 Stone Food and Drink Festival is designed to ensure that there is something for all the family and this year the youngsters will have plenty to choose from. The local branch of Inland Waterways will be running several fun activities each day in a special children's play area.All sponsored by Peter and Karen Wyatt at Canal Cruising.
Under the banner of WOW - Wild over Water - there will be treasure hunts, painting competitions, hat making, brass rubbings and much, much more.
Julie Arnold, the WOW organiser on behalf of the IWA, said "We attended the Festival's Farmers' Market last year and had a marvellous time so it is great to be invited back to provide some special activities for the youngsters."
In addition to the WOW activities, the youngsters will also be able to enjoy some kiddies rides and other activities.
And children get in free!
 Real Ale Trail enlarged
One of the most popular events during Stone Food and Drink Festivals has always been the Real Ale Trail involving pubs in and around Stone. This year the Real Ale Trail will be even more interesting with more pubs involved and a wider choice of locally produced real ales.
All pubs are being asked to showcase at least two local brews and several local breweries are providing beers, help and support.
Dave Dougmore, Festival volunteer who has co-ordinated the Trail, said "I am delighted with the response that we received from local breweries and publicans. We are still putting the final touches to the Trail but it is obvious that this year there will be a much wider choice of quality real ales available in more pubs in and around the town."
Full details of the Real Ale Trail can be found on the Real Ale Trail page on this website.
March Hare Kitchens team up with Touchstone Wines
That well known partnership of March Hare Kitchens and Touchstone Wines will be in evidence again at Stone Station during the Festival when James Gillespie of Touchstone Wines will be introducing Richard Boote to Stone. Richard is one of the leading figures in top London restaurants on wine and will be giving a tutored wine tasting on the comparisons of old world and new world wines on the evening of Friday 3rd October. On Saturday evening,4th October, James will be giving you the chance to taste wines from Spain and Portugal James will guide you through the evening talking about the differences of the two countries wines. Sunday, 5th October, March Hare Kitchens and Touchstone Wines will be hosting a joint lunch time event and matching wines to game.
 Moddershall Oaks are with us this year
Moddershall Oaks will be with us for the first time this year. We're thrilled that they are promoting their health spa and restaurant during the Festival. Head Chef Barry Connely will be on their stand in the Gourmet Food Marquee. Come along and talk to them - they have lots to offer!
Combined churches to hold end of Festival celebration
This year’s Stone Food and Drink Festival will conclude with a celebration of food and drink, led by the churches in and around Stone.
The 'Sunday Joint' celebration will feature some of the finest, locally selected ingredients designed to inspire you this harvest-time. A joint First School Choir and musicians from across the town’s churches will join together to provide celebratory song while other ingredients (still being cultivated!) include, drama, video and conversation with the people who play a crucial part in providing the food and drink that we enjoy. All this will be topped with a light look at the source (or sauce?!) which can add so much flavour to all that we enjoy.
The Sunday Joint will take place Sunday 5th October in the Trentham Estate Demonstration marquee, from 5-6 pm and will provide a fitting accompaniment to the Food and Drink Festival’s packed programme.
Brewing comes back to Stone!
Do you remember the days when Stone was famous for its two breweries? Did you think that brewing had gone for ever? Well, we've some good news for you! Brewing is set to return to the town in September and the old Bent's Brewery site is back in business!
Ian Bradford and Ron Makins have set up Lyme Stone Brewery and are busy installing equipment at this very moment in a ground floor unit off Mount Road. Ian is a former head brewer at Titanic Brewery and is promising that the first barrels of Stone brewed ale will be available for the Food and Drink Festival.
Jill Hood and Richard Stevens, Festival organisers, were given a conducted tour of the premises and were impressed by the commitment to producing a quality product." I can't believe that within a matter of weeks we have had news of Titanic taking over the Royal Exchange and Lyme Stone Brewery setting up in Stone. These developments have really put Stone on the Real Ale map," said Richard.
Roger Protz, editor of the Good Beer Guide will be visiting the brewery during his visit to Stone.
Lyme Stone Brewery products will be available for sale during the Food and Drink Festival from October 3rd to October 5th.
Titanic Brewery to sponsor Beer Tasting marquee
 Titanic Brewery, the Burslem based brewery, has confirmed a major sponsorship deal with the Stone Food and Drink Festival. In October all beer and wine tastings will be held in the Titanic Tasting marquee on Westbridge Park next to the Gourmet Food Marquee.
"This is wonderful news," confirmed Richard Stevens, Festival Chairman. "Roger Protz, editor of the Good Beer Guide, will be here on Friday 3rd October and we have wine tastings by Andrew Wilson from Old School Wines of Tittensor; Francis Peel of Whitebridge Wines and James Gillespie of Touchstone Wines already arranged. Now that we have a dedicated tasting tent we shall be able to arrange further events."
Titanic Brewery buy the Royal Exchange
Stone Food and Drink organisers Jill Hood and Richard Stevens were the first to be told the news! The Royal Exchange in Radford Street has been bought by Titanic Brewery and will be refurbished and open for business in time for the Food and Drink Festival in October.
Jill and Richard met Titanic director Dave Bott yesterday to discuss the Food and Drink Festival but were immediately let into the secret. "Dave was delighted to let us be the first to know. He signed the deal off the day before and he thought it was so apt that we should be his first contacts from Stone. He is really excited and was so keen to tell us about his plans," said Jill.
"We met in the White Star in Stoke, another Titanic pub, and if the refurbishment is anywhere near that standard then the Royal Exchange is going to be a very popular venue," said Richard. "And whilst they will obviously stock Titanic's own beers, they will also sell other real ales." Interesting times ahead for real ale fans!
An award for Stone chef
Stone restaurant, La Dolce Vita, is celebrating the success of one of it's chefs in the recent "Young Chef of the Year" awards. 20 year old Jake Lowndes won third prize against stiff opposition from across the region. Organised by the Restaurant Association, Jake competed against chefs from The Belfry, The Moat House at Acton Trussell, Alton Towers and several other well known restaurants.
"We are very proud of Jake's achievement," said Peter Nullis, proprietor of La Dolce Vita. "Jake has a real passion for cooking and, although very nervous, he obviously impressed the judges with his dishes. I'm hoping to persuade him to appear at the Food and Drink Festival in October to demonstrate his award winning dishes again."
TV's "Jimmy's Farm" book in for Festival!
 BBC 2's 'Jimmy's Farm' are coming to Stone for the Food and Drink Festival! "I am so excited," said Jill Hood, Festival administrator. "They've booked a stand in the Gourmet Food Marquee and will be with us for the three days. I'm not sure whether Jimmy himself will be able to be here but there is a rumour that the other star of the show Dolly may turn up!"
The Gourmet Food Marquee will be on Westbridge Park from Friday 3rd October to Sunday 5th October.
Stone Gazette to publish Festival programme
Stone Food and Drink Festival are delighted to announce that the Stone Gazette will again be producing and publishing the official programme for the 2008 Festival. The Gazette has been the official publisher of the programme since the Festival began in 2005. "We are so pleased that the Gazette and it's editor Paul Mitchell are willing to support us again this year," said Richard Stevens, Festival Chairman. "The Gazette has a wide distribution and a very loyal readership. We are very grateful for Paul's help and advice." The programme will be included as an insert in the September edition.
 Roger Protz will be back!
Another coup for the Stone Food and Drink Festival 2008 was announced today. Roger Protz, editor of the Good Beer Guide and probably the country's best known beer taster and judge, will be making a return visit to the Festival in October.
Roger is the long-standing editor of "The Good Beer Guide" and has written 15 books on Beer - the most recent being his encyclopaedic "Complete Guide to World Beer". Head judge and M.C. at this year's Champion Beer of Britain Awards in London, Roger contributes regularly on beer for The Times, The Guardian and BBC Radio 4's "Food Programme".
Roger will be giving a tutored beer tasting featuring local bottled ales on Friday 3rd October. Further details will be announced later
Janine Machin to make a Festival Return
 Festival favourite Jaine Machin will be making a return visit to compere cookery demonstrations during the 2008 Food and Drink Festival. Although now living and working in Cambridge, the former BBC Radio Stoke presenter jumped at the opportunity to come back to Stone.
"Janine has established herself as a firm favourite with Stone audiences," said Jill Hood, Festival administrator. "Last year she went on stage and performed like a trooper despite feeling extremely unwell. No-one would have guessed that behind the bubbly and vivacious performance she was surviving on anadin and Night Nurse!"
Janine will be compering demonstrations on Saturday 4th October in the Trentham Estate Demonstration Kitchen marquee on Westbridge Park next to the Gourmet Food Marquee
Trentham Estate confirm sponsorship!
 An early boost to the 2008 Food and Drink Festival has been received with the news that the Trentham Estate will again be sponsoring the Demonstration Kitchen. This year demonstrations will take place in a dedicated marquee on Westbridge Park next to the Gourmet Food marquee.
"Trentham's continued support is fantastic," said Jill Hood. "This year, Trentham have agreed to sponsor the entire kitchen which will involve the building of the kitchen units themselves. Having the demonstrations on site at Westbridge Park will provide us with greater flexibility and will also allow disabled access."
2008 Festival dates confirmed
The Stone Food and Drink Festival Working Group has just announced the dates for the 2008 Festival. The Festival will be held from Friday 3rd October 2008 to Sunday 5th October 2008 although there will be several events and promotions in the preceeding days, including the Real Ale Trail and the Manger a Trois.
Richard Stevens, Chairman of the Festival, said that the Friday to Sunday timing had worked well in 2007 and had enabled visitors to travel to Stone over the weekend. "It was a pity so few of our local retailers opened on the Sunday but those who did reported good trade"
"It is also unfortunate that the Crown Hotel has taken a wedding booking for the first weekend of October. However we are confident that we shall be able to make alternative arrangements for cookery demonstrations. It may be an opportunity to hold the demonstrations alongside the Gourmet Food Marquee on Westbridge Park.," explained Richard.
"There's one thing we can be sure of ," said Richard. " We'll do our best to make sure that the 2008 Food and Drink Festival will be even better than last year. And that's not going to be an easy task!"
 Just brilliant! "Ludlow - watch your back"
The tents are down, the fencing's gone and Westbridge Park looks like a park again! It's difficult to believe that a couple of weeks ago it was the scene of the biggest event to ever take place in Stone. And what a success the 2007 Food and Drink Festival was! Thousands of visitors descended on the town and enjoyed three wonderful days of festival going.
A very big 'Thank You' to everyone who helped to make this year's Festival such a great success.
And a special thanks to Paul Gilmore of Restaurant Gilmore near Uttoxeter for his unsolicited testamonial at the Taste of Staffordshire awards last week. He explained during his speech to several hundred guests that he had just attended the Stone Food and Drink Festival and that it was the best Festival he'd seen. And he issued a warning to Ludlow - hosts of the country's leading Food and Drink Festival. "Ludlow - watch your back!". Wow! What a commendation!
So there's no pressure on us for next year, is there?!
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