The first Surbiton Food Festival runs from 4th to 19th May 2013.  It brings together our cafes, pubs, restaurants, award winning farmers market and retailers to show how great Surbiton is for the food lover.  Most of the businesses involved are independents, and it is important that they thrive so that Surbiton has something different to offer.  It also brings our community together in 3 special events.

• The Seething Freshwater Sardine Festival – Sunday 5th May 1-6pm at Claremont Gardens.  Food stalls and entertainment
• Surbiton Village Fete – Saturday 11th May 12-7pm & Sunday 12th May 12-5pm at St Andrew’s Square.  A traditional village fete with cookery competitions, demonstrations,food stall, beer & cider festival, entertainment and competitions.
• Community Sports Day & Teddy Bear’s picnic – Saturday 18th May 1-4pm at Victoria Park.  Traditional races and story telling.
• There are lots of other events for young and young at heart.  See the website for details.

Before and throughout the food festival, for £5 anyone can buy a ‘passport’ with great offers.  So many of our great businesses In St Mark’s Ward are involved and giving excellent offers to all passport holders.

• Pubs – The Lamb, Duke of York, The Black Lion, Surbiton Flyer, Gordon Bennett, Waggon & Horses
• Restaurants – The French Table, Da Lucio, Joy, Naturally Chinese, Magic Wok
• Cafes/coffee shops – Pickled Pantry, The Press Room, The French Tarte, YMCA, Lebanese Deli
• Retailers – Regency bookshop, Ex-cellar, Hoi Polloi, Main Kitchen Supplies

There are also 2 food based competitions:

• The Rhubarb and Leek Challenge – Create a recipe using either (or both!) of these classically British ingredients then take it to the farmers market on Saturday 18 May before 10.00am where it will be judged by a mystery celebrity.
• The Seething Pasty – Legend has it that we know the ingredients but not the recipe so everyone is invited to try their hand in making the new Seething Pasty with judging on Sunday 12th May 4pm at the Village Fête.

I love the idea of the Surbiton Food Festival and I’m pleased that Kingston Council is able to support it.  Our businesses are working hard to ensure as bespoke, independent traders they give us excellent service and we should support them whenever we can.  I picked up my passport at the farmers market this morning, so can’t wait to use the offers in it.

says Cllr Liz Green

For more information visit www.surbitonfoodfestival.org and see you there.