Returning for its second year, the ten day Guernsey International Food Festival will showcase the Bailiwick's delicious local produce and unique dishes in special feasts, tours and interactive events. The festival will be spread over the entire island of Guernsey as well as the sister islands of Herm and Sark from the 23rd of September to 2nd October 2016.

Sark

Alongside the mainland festivities, neighbouring Sark will be celebrating its abundance of autumn fresh local produce with its Sark Food Heroes Weekend. Taking place from 23rd to 25th September, Stocks Hotel will offer visitors the chance to meet some of the island's food producers and farmers who will be exhibiting their local produce and discussing food on the island over the two days.

In attendance will be Sark lamb farmer, Dave Scott, Sark lobster and scallop fisherman Phil Long, free-range egg and salad ingredient supplier, Molly Bull, Sark Island Dairy owners and operators, the Nightingale family, and many other food heroes from the island. There will also be an opportunity to tour the hotel's Sark Permaculture garden. Chefs from the hotel will demonstrate the preparation of the local ingredients in the exclusive Stocks farmhouse kitchen, followed by an evening menu to sample all the ingredients in action. 

From the 30th September to 2nd October, renowned forager John Wright of the River Cottage will be teaming up with Stocks Hotel for the return of the Sark Foraging Weekend. The weekend package offers personally guided foraging forays of the island's diverse shore and hedgerows led by expert John, two nights' accommodation in a superior double or twin room at Stocks Hotel, a hearty Sark farmhouse breakfast each morning and a three-course special dinner featuring foraged delicacies. The total cost is £395 for single occupancy or £250 per person when sharing a double or twin room. For more information, bookings or to see pictures from the previous year, please visit: www.stockshotel.com/rooms-suites/foraging.

Herm

Three miles from the coast of Guernsey, the mile and a half long island of Herm will be showing its big appetite with the Autumn Gourmet Weekend taking place on Friday 30th September and Saturday 1st October. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful island's autumn gourmet experience at the White House Hotel, dining in the two Rosette Conservatory Restaurant with two six course gourmet evening meals with wine pairing, Full English breakfast on both mornings, and a Sunday lunch served prior to departure. The Autumn Gourmet Weekend is £285 per person based on two adults sharing a room. For more information please visit www.herm.com  

The full line-up of events and activities will be revealed over the coming weeks and months. Foodies are advised to follow @GuernseyFood on Twitter for updates.

Getting There:

Guernsey

Direct flights to Guernsey operate year round from London City, Gatwick and Stansted, as well as many regional UK airports with Aurigny (www.aurigny.com), Blue Islands (www.blueislands.com) and Flybe (www.flybe.com).

Return flights from London Gatwick to Guernsey with Aurigny in September 2016 are available from £100 per person and flight time is one hour.

Condor operates ferry services from Poole and Portsmouth, and takes around three and seven hours respectively. Return car ferries from Poole to Guernsey in September are from £190, carrying two passengers (www.condorferries.com).

Sark

There are daily ferry crossings from St Peter Port, Guernsey with up to five ferries per day and a journey time of 45 minutes. Return adult fare is £28.50, return child fare is £13.20, and special early bird fares at £24.25, (£6.90 for children) depart at 8am. Infants travel free. www.sarkshippingcompany.com

Herm

There is a catamaran service from St Peter Port, Guernsey with a journey time of 20 minutes. Standard return fare is £12.50 per adult, £6.50 per child and £1.50 per infant. Tickets are purchased at the wooden kiosk in St Peter Port harbour.

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For further general information on Guernsey, please visit www.visitguernsey.com

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