I am bringing you something a little different on the blog today. A chance to win press-pass tickets to this year’s Taste of Dublin event. As a blogger, I love anything remotely press-related. It’s nice to feel a bit ‘exclusive’ sometimes, isn’t it?
So I said ‘yes’ to joining the blogger team with Chill and the guys at Taste to bring you my thoughts on food festivals, and let you know how you can enter their awesome foodie giveaway.
Food at Glastonbury, 2015
I love festivals and last year I rounded up the food I ate at Glastonbury. The food offering there is honestly amazing. Even the tea and toast stalls up their game to bring you something truly delicious, satisfying yet effortlessly simple. If I had to pin down the best thing I ate there, it would be of of these vegan Sushi wraps from Happy Maki.
They remind us that ‘sushi’ actually means seasoned rice, not raw fish, and focus on a healthy and sustainable way to enjoy these incredible flavour combos. I had the hoisin ‘”duck” and it blew my mind. Look out for them at this year’s British Street Food Awards. I really, really hope they win!
Foodie’s Festival, UK wide
I also did a round-up of last year’s Foodies Festival in Tatton Park, which I’m going to again this July. I am honestly not sure how I managed to eat so much food in one afternoon (clearly I’m a secret fatty) but if I had to choose, my highlight would be this gorgeous burger from Rad Burger Co.
A ground chuck steak patty with grilled halloumi, smoked streaky bacon, rocket, mango chutney and garlic mayo. Served with rosemary fries and more mayo. Honestly, a taste sensation. Who knew mango chutney would work on a burger? Epic food festival scran. Hope to see them again this year.
Castlefield Food Festival, Manchester
Last weekend I spent the day at Castefield Food festival in Manchester, which was great foodie hot spot; street food stalls from the likes of Albert’s Pizza, Mei Mei’s street food cart, Zouk Indian street food kitchen and loads more.
There was also a thoroughly entertaining cook-off between Jo Cooksey, founder and editor of Taste Today and Mark Garner, Manchester food critic and founder of Manchester Confidential et al.
Jo made a Mogolian beef stir fry using beef from The Butcher’s Quarter in Manchester’s NQ and Mark rustled up a chicken and banana curry which he had apparently been attempting to perfect for 10 years…
So as the cooking (and banter) continued, it was nearly time for both to bring their cook-off dishes to the table. The audience were to decide the winner…
My verdict; Jo’s dish was vibrant, tasty, so fresh and the beef was tender and juicy – which is tricky to achieve sometimes when stir-frying beef. The noodles added great texture and there was some real goodness in there from the greens and veg. Overall a very well balanced and delicious feast.
Mark’s dish did pack-a-punch spice-wise. The chicken thigh was tender, although I do think it could have done with another 5 minutes on the hob. The banana made it weird though. I have to be honest. It was gross.
The votes were in, as counted and verified for complete and utter fairness by Manchester chef and presenter of the cook-off, Robert Owen-Brown, Jo’s beef was crowned winner. Nice work, Jo!
Win Tickets to an Irish foodie adventure in Dublin, from 16-19th June with Chill
So, food festivals are fun. Like, really fun. There’s usually a whole lot of booze involved too, and even possibly sometimes sunshine.
If you fancy your chances at winning tickets to this year’s Taste of Dublin festival in June, all you need to do is answer this foodie question on Chill’s website: www.chill.ie/company/customer-rewards/taste-of-dublin-2016/
Full T&C’s are on the link and it closes on 31st May 2016. Winners announced on 1st June 2016. Good luck!
