Full of sights and smells to tempt even the most steadfast penny pincher the Suffolk Show’s food hall is brimming with local food and drinks producers.
From well known names to newer, smaller businesses, the hall was buzzing with excitement as attendees flocked to try out all the products on offer.
Everything from sausages to brownies and chilli oil to cheeses was available for visitors to try and test before purchase.
It is also an opportunity to find out more about where the ingredients for the products come from and how they benefit from using local ingredients.
Amongst those displaying their wares was Fruits of Suffolk who produce jams in a range of flavours.
Co-owner Liz Hubert said the Suffolk Show provided a fantastic platform to get out into the community and meet new people.
“It’s lovely to meet so many people and it gives them a chance to try and build up that dialogue, being able to explain the difference between mass produced and locally produced,” she said. “We source as much locally as possible.”
Another local brand hoping to impress was Rendlesham based Salubrious sauces.
Jim Fennell, who described himself as the company’s chief ‘saucerer’, said the Suffolk Show was an important place for less established businesses to find their feet.
“I love it,” said Mr Fennell. “It’s really exciting and it’s just nice to see familiar faces and new faces. We are still a young company so it’s good way to build up the brand and it’s important to build the brand locally.”
Drink producers also filled the hall offering everything from locally produced wine and cider to vodka and gin products.
Also exhibiting were students from Woodbridge School who were selling copies of their East Coast Eats cook book, their enterprise project for the year.
“It’s very nice talking to people,” said project member Nathan Little, 17. “Most of these people have been doing it for a long time.”
As well as being able to purchase local food visitors to the show were able to learn from many of the county’s chefs.
A number of Suffolk’s restaurants sent along representatives to the Cookery Theatre including Jonathon Nicholson from The Bell at Saxmundham, Justin Kett from The Swan Hotel in Lavenham and Chris Lee from the Bildeston Crown.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here