Food festival showcases the best of Bakewell

It rained, it shone, and it rained some more – but the unpredictable weather didn’t discourage the thousands who flocked to the Bakewell food festival at the weekend.

Coach-loads of people from as far as Penrith arrived in the town in droves for the second annual event, which showcases the finest food from across the region.

Organiser, Sue Smethurst said: “It was fantastic, the town was really, really busy – even busier than last year.

“The festival is about putting Bakewell back on the map and getting people to see what a lovely town it is.”

Some 50 stalls serving up everything from chutneys and cakes to chocolate kebabs and authentic pad Thai packed out the town’s streets, with baking demonstrations and talks taking place across two days.

Chris Brown, 35, was at the festival with his wife and two children. He said: “There is a good range of food, and it’s good to get out and about to local places.”

Keith Daily, owner of the Derbyshire Winery – who produces tipples in Bakewell – said: “These events are fantastic. I am Bakewell born and bred so it is nice to see the regeneration of markets here.”