Thousands enjoy a taste of Lancashire at the National Festival of Making
A fantastic array of Lancashire-made produce, from cakes to cheese, gin to honey, and more, was on offer in the Taste Lancashire Market at the National Festival of Making on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July; as part of Marketing Lancashire’s established food and drink campaign to champion and highlight the county’s world class food and drink.
he festival has become a firm fixture in the cultural calendar of Blackburn, and this year was a record breaking year for this nationally significant festival, that celebrates makers and producers and combines art, manufacturing, making and communities.
The tastebuds of visitors were well and truly tickled in the Taste Lancashire Market, where they were able to meet some of the county’s top artisan food makers, learn more about production, enjoy samples and then buy delicious Lancashire made food and drink Curated by Marketing Lancashire, the Taste Lancashire food and drink market has been a popular feature of the National Festival of Making since 2018.
Vikki Harris, Marketing and Partnerships Director of Marketing Lancashire, said:
“Marketing Lancashire is a proud and active supporter of local food and drink, showcasing Lancashire’s innovative, artisan producers in popular and high profile events locally, nationally and internationally.
“New and returning visitors were able to meet the faces behind the produce and learn first hand about their process and products. As well as returning favouries, the market showcased new businesses like Ookin Coffee, owned by Lancastrian Olympian Holly Bradshaw and Tim Booth.
“The National Festival of Making is a brilliant and engaging event that has something for everybody and the Taste Lancashire Market full of tasty, lovingly crafted products, made in Lancashire, is always a big attraction.”
This year’s Taste Lancashire Market provided visitors with honey from The Bee Centre in Chorley, who wowed the crowds with a live beehive on their stall and happily answered many questions from fascinated visitors. There was chocolate rum from multi-award-winning Lucela’s Premium Spirits of Blackpool (winner of World’s Best Chocolate Liqueur title and a coveted Good Taste Award), Gin and Limoncello from Three Wheel Gin of Morecambe, Mrs.Dowson’s delicious ice cream, fresh from their Ribble Valley farm, a selection of cheeses from Broughton-based Bowes Dairy, Mouthwatering puddings from Poulton-Le-Fylde’s Pudalicious, tasty chutneys from Bacup-based Heritage Kitchen, and fabulous cakes from Lancaster-based bakery Lone Wolf.
Rachael Spence, Lone Wolf founder, said: “We look forward to holding a market stall at the
Festival of Making every year.“The atmosphere is always buzzing regardless of the weather, the other stall holders in the Taste Lancashire Market are always lovely and we have loads of fun working the event. It allows us to network with other local small business and we sell out every year with excellent feedback. The event organisers and staff are always amazing and on hand should you need anything. We can’t wait to apply for next year!”
In addition, the Taste Lancashire Market featured an informative stall from the Blackburn and Darwen Food Alliance, helping visitors to understand the impact of food waste on our environment.
Visitors could also pick up the latest Visit Lancashire magazine, an 80-page essential guide packed full of places to visit, things to do, places to stay and of course restaurants and eateries where you can enjoy Lancashire’s incredible food, drink and hospitality.
Download the Summer in Lancashire Guide here or visit www.visitlancashire.com to find great ideas for the summer.
To know more about Taste Lancashire and for more ideas on places to eat, local producers, recipes and places to shop go to www.visitlancashire.com/taste. You can download Visit Lancashire’s new Sweet Treats Guide here.