James Martin Cookery Demonstration Experience

On the 26th August I went to see James Martin do a cookery demonstration, as part of the annual Bolton Food & Drink Festival. The cookery demonstrations take place in the Festival Marquee and it is a ticketed event.

During the cookery demonstration James made three dishes, and they were: -
1.) Chicken in a French White Stew
2.) Cod in White Sauce with Radish, Bacon and Thyme
3.) Vodka Panna Cotta with a Raspberry Sauce served with Sugared Donuts

James is brilliant at doing cookery demonstrations, as he lets you into all the secrets of 'Saturday Kitchen', as well as providing the audience with a good giggle along the way.

After the cookery demonstration they was a book signing and photo opportunity, which I happily took part in.

Review: Yorkshire Punch

This is the nicest drink I've ever come across, and I've craving this again for months.

Yorkshire Punch has a base of purified water, which is then infused with Mother Nature's finest herbs and natural ingredients. All of the ingredients have been specially chosen due to the added health benefits of each individual ingredient.

     The natural ingredients for Yorkshire Punch are bilberry, camomile, caraway, celery seeds, cinnamon, cloves, elderflower, ginger, lavender, fennel seeds, hops, poppy seeds, rosemary and thyme.

To drink Yorkshire Punch I'd recommend that you half fill a tumbler glass, and then place it in the microwave for between 30 seconds to a minute; depending on the Watt of your microwave. I'd also recommend that you have this about an hour before you go to bed, just so then you give this little of natural goodness time to work its magic.

To purchase Yorkshire Punch; please visit www.quiggins.co.uk. They only come in a quantity of either 6 or 12 bottles.

For 6 bottles of Yorkshire Punch is £34.50 plus delivery charges

For 12 bottles of Yorkshire Punch is £54.50 plus delivery charges

Review: The Chocolate Cafe

I'm going to review the products that I purchased from The Chocolate Cafe, during the Bolton Food & Drink Festival.

Milk Chocolate Rocky Road Bar
This is the finest & best Rocky Road chocolate bar I've ever come across.
     The base is milk chocolate, which is 34% cocoa solids, and 23% milk solids. Then the base is topped with chocolate coated cereals, chocolate fudge and marshmallows.
     The milk chocolate is very smooth and creamy, and with every piece of you eat; the experience will vary depending on how much of the topping you get on each piece of chocolate.
    This is my all time favourite chocolate bar, and I would highly recommend The Chocolate Cafe to even the most loyal of choc-a-holics.

Champagne Truffles
The Chocolate Cafe's Champagne Truffles are my little luxury, & I personally don't think that there's better on the market.
    The Champagne Truffles are made with 70% dark chocolate, 34% milk chocolate, 28% white chocolate, 23% milk solids, cocoa and infused with the very finest Marc de Champagne.
   These are a joy to eat, as all the chocolate is smooth, creamy & velvety, and then you'll feel the fizz and then taste the champagne.
   All I can add is that it's Heaven in truffle form.

If you would like to visit The Chocolate Cafe's website, it's www.chocolate-cafe.co.uk

An Interview with The Chocolate Cafe

Paul & Myself showcasing The Chocolate Cafe's finest work

I would like to introduce you to Paul, who is the owner of The Chocolate Cafe, which is based in Ramsbottom.
      The Chocolate Cafe prides itself on hand making all their chocolate bars, by using the very finest cocoa & other ingredients, as well as inventing new varieties of chocolate combinations that will excite palette.

If you would visit The Chocolate Cafe website it's www.chocolate-cafe.co.uk

What do you like about Bolton in general?
It's my home town and it is very special. It's all about the people!

How did you first hear about the Bolton Food & Drink Festival?
I first heard about the Bolton Food & Drink Festival from Stuart at The Vineyard Wine Merchants in Ramsbottom.

How does the Bolton Food & Drink Festival stand out from other food festivals?
The festival is right in the heart of the town which means you get a varied selection of visitors; from dedicated foodies to local people doing their weekly shop.

What is it about the Bolton Food & Drink Festival that keeps attracting you back year after year?
It is a very friendly and well organised festival, for us it feels like home.

How long have you been selling your products at the Bolton Food & Drink Festival?
We have been at the festival since 2009.

What do you think will be the Chocolate Cafe's best selling product while at the festival?
Historically our handmade chocolate bars have always sold very well. Our best seller is usually our Milk Chocolate Rocky Road or Dark Chocolate Habanero Chilli.

What makes the Chocolate Cafe stand out from the rest?
We take the finest Fino de Aroma cocoa from Colombia and blend it with the very best British ingredients. Quite simply we think our chocolate tastes better.

If you could choose one product to every customer; what would it be?
If I could choose one product to recommend to each customer it would be our Milk Chocolate Salt & Vinegar bar. It epitomises everything about us in that it's quality, innovative and fun.

Would you recommend the Bolton Food & Drink Festival to family, friends & other businesses?
Yes.

An Interview with Signature Soaps Ltd

Brian & Myself showcasing some of Signature Soaps best sellers

I would like to introduce you to Brian, who is the owner and artisan of Signature Soaps Ltd.
      Signature Soaps prides itself on making products using all natural ingredients. All the products that are sold by Signature Soaps are all hand made with love & care, and are a pleasure to use at anytime of year.

If you like to visit the Signature Soaps website it's www.signaturesoaps.co.uk

What do you like about Bolton in general?
Its a friendly town, not too big or too small and well situated for travel to larger cities and down the motorways.

How did you first hear about the Bolton Food & Drink Festival?
From the market team as a loyal trader on the monthly local produce market.

How does the Bolton Food & Drink Festival stand out from other festivals?
The fantastic variety of traders situated over the nucleus of the town centre creates a vibrant atmosphere. The council make a great effort to put on a whole range of entertainment in addition to the world famous chefs that demonstrate at the festival. The very fact that it attracts more and more visitors year in year out speaks volumes.

What is it about the Bolton Food & Drink Festival that keeps attracting you back year after year?
As a local producer it gives me a great opportunity to showcase my products, especially my food related chocolate soaps, traditional soaps and specialist cook's soap and goat's milk soap. They are all made from food ingredients, including 80% single origin dark Belgian chocolate!

How long have you been selling your products at the Bolton Food & Drink Festival?
For the last 4 years.

What do you think will be Signature Soaps best selling product while at the festival?
My traditional cold pressed soaps, which are suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin types.

What makes Signature Soaps stand out from the rest?
I hope the sheer quality of our products and our commitment to customer care excellence.

If you could choose one product to sell to every customer; what would it be?
Either or forming shower/ bath wash or our cold pressed soap.

Would you recommend the Bolton Food & Drink Festival to family, friends & other businesses?
Yes, it makes a great family day out with something for everyone.