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Taste Of Birmingham Food Festival  11-13th July 2008

Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston

This four day culinary extravaganza showcased the best of local restaurants, local farmers and suppliers, and entrepreneurs. The idea was to highlight the culinary expertise present in Birmingham and give recognition to some of its great restaurants and suppliers.

Sprawled across the central area of the park were wine and cheese tasting tents, cooking displays and marquees serving food from the best restaurants in Birmingham. Simpsons in Highfield Road, Edgbaston served up small tasters of such dishes as Scallop Dumplings, Mushroom Wellington and Chocolate and Orange Biscotti. Festival goers could purchase these dishes with a certain amount of crowns, which was the festival currency. People had to exchange their money for crowns upon entry to the festival, which seemed rather strange and pointless to me, especially as all the vendors had to pay a fee for exchanging these crowns back into hard currency after they were taken.

People flocked around the few stalls with free samples, such as cheese and olives, which were excellent. However, there weren’t enough free samples and too many local sellers were unwilling to promote their produce with samples. I think it would help them much more in the long term to provide a few free samples. People might feel a bit short changed having to pay for everything inside after spending twelve pounds on a ticket. It was also strange to see that Purnell’s, probably Birmingham’s most famous restaurant, was not represented at the festival at all.

However there were some excellent displays, interesting stalls (the game stall being a personal favourite) and gadgets, like the self twirling pasta fork. So, interesting and a nice atmosphere, and some beautiful food and drink, but a little strangely organised and I would have liked to see a bit more value for money in the experience as a whole.

Adam Moffatt

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