With two months to go until the first Guernsey International Food Festival, bookings have opened for the various events. The festival, which will take place all over the island from 18th-27th September, will showcase Guernsey's delicious local produce and unique dishes with special dinners, tours and interactive events. As well as cook offs and live cooking demonstrations, there will be a talk from star guest Prue Leith, foraging workshops, themed gastro events and the first dedicated Guernsey Beer & Cider Festival. For further details: www.visitguernsey.com/food-festival

Top events include:

Prue Leith - My Life on a Plate

Saturday 19 September, 2.30pm - 3.30pm

Town Church, St Peter Port

Prue Leith's talk My Life on a Plate, will cover her highly successful career and latest novel The Food of Love, a wartime story of love and loss.Talk costs £10 with bookings at: www.guernseyliteraryfestival.com

Guernsey Gourmet Bus Tour

Saturday 26 September, 9-5pm

Hop aboard the Gourmet Bus for a whistle-stop tour of Guernsey's finest producers. Highlights include fishmonger, Seafresh, where the catch of the day will be seen coming off the boats with a talk from the fishermen; the stunning Rocquette Cider Farm, family run Fresh Guernsey Herbs and Randalls Brewery. A local produce lunch will feature island made Torteval Cheese and Haut Maison fruit liqueurs. Tour costs £55 in advance from www.guernseytickets.gg.

Wild Foraging Workshop

Sunday 27 September, 10am-noon

Gather wild food, taste it raw - then transform the foraged ingredients into a recipe worth remembering for a family picnic or dinner party. Identify sea herbs, sea vegetables and sample a treat made up from foraged foods. The cost is £20 in advance from wildguernsey@yahoo.co.uk.  

Big Guernsey Market

Saturday 19 - Sunday 20 September, 10am - 6pm

Crown Pier, St Peter Port

This will be the Channel Islands' biggest food and drink event of the year. Head to stalls from local producers including Haut Maison fruit liqueurs, Fresh Guernsey Herbs and Torteval Cheese for tastings. Be sure to visit hot food stalls from the island's leading restaurants such as Old Government House and Bella Luce or the hog roast from Porky's, the local pig farmer. Don't miss the Beach BBQ Cook-Off, where local chefs will compete to produce the tastiest barbecue dish.

Seriously Seafood Supper

Friday 18 September, 7pm for 7.30pm supper

La Fregate Hotel (lafregatehotel.com/01481 724624)

La Fregate has arguably one of the best restaurant views on the island, overlooking St. Peter Port, Herm, Sark, Jersey and even the coast of France on a clear day. The Seriously Seafood Supper features a welcome drink on the terrace, followed by an exquisite three course dinner of local Guernsey seafood created by La Fregate head chef Neil Maginnis. The supper costs £55 with bookings in advance at La Fregate.

Guernsey Beer & Cider Festival

Saturday 26 - Sunday 27 September, Noon - 8pm (Saturday), noon - 6pm (Sunday)

Market Square, St Peter Port (marketplaceguernsey.co.uk)

Enjoy local beers and ciders from island producers including Randalls, Rocquette and White Rock Brewery, alongside a selection of international craft beers, at the first Guernsey Beer & Cider Festival. The festival will feature live music throughout the day and hearty hot food available from the Market Bistro. Free entry. 

BOOK IT!

Tour operator package

Channel Islands Direct is offering a four night stay in Guernsey during the Food Festival from £229pp by sea or £285pp by air. This includes accommodation at the four star St. Pierre Park Hotel, which is centrally located just outside of St. Peter Port, and breakfast. Regional airport departures are also available for a supplement. For bookings: www.channelislandsdirect.co.uk/ 08444 937 486 

Independent package

La Barbarie Hotel is offering a three night Food Festival package for £268.50. This includes accommodation, breakfast, Champagne and Guernsey Fudge in the room on arrival, two dinners including a Seafood Extravaganza with fresh Guernsey lobster, king prawns, langoustines, prawns, fresh local crab and oysters. All bookings must be made direct with La Barbarie quoting "Foodie Breaks".  For bookings: www.labarbariehotel.com/ 01481 235217

Return flights from London Gatwick to Guernsey with Aurigny start from £94. For bookings: www.aurigny.com/ 01481 266465. Regional departures are available. Guernsey is also accessible by ferry. Condor Ferries operates a year-round fast ferry service from Poole to Guernsey on the new Condor Liberation with prices starting from £49.50pp for a car and two passengers each way. For bookings: www.condorferries.com/ 0845 609 1024. 

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