The weekend of Saturday 06 and Sunday 07 September sees the welcome return of the month-long Horsham District Food and Drink Festival taking place in Horsham's historic town centre and at venues across the district's market towns, including the 'Festival within a Festival' in and around Steyning.

The launch event and much loved Big Nibble Festival Market hosts over 40 producers and purveyors of local produce in the historic Carfax area of Horsham town centre, as well as a lively and entertaining programme of chef demonstrations featuring e.g. Stephen Edwards (winner of Masterchef the Professionals) and Tristan Mason (Michelin star chef/patron Restaurant Tristan). New for 2014, the Gastro market features a selection of producers and traders specialising in food or services locally and from around the country.

Tapping into nationwide enthusiasm for baking, Sunday's Great Horsham Bake-Off competition returns for a second year as amateur cooks battle it out in classes testing their baking, presentation and technical skills. Attracting over 200 entries last year, teams of professional judges have a challenging time choosing the winning entries for adult and children's classes.

The annual showcase of local produce covers award winning artisan producers, micro-breweries, vineyards, farms, farm shops and independent retailers as well as a growing number of eating places that source and serve local ingredients.

To participate, business have to be growing, rearing, producing, selling or using local produce as ingredients within Horsham District or on the periphery. Additionally they must be making a special offer or organising an event as part of the festival e.g. free glass of wine with a meal, brewery tours or farm open days. 

Cabinet member Roger Paterson said 'This wonderful event provides a springboard for year-round local business support, the lifeblood of our rural economy. In the 12 years since Horsham district council launched the first event I've seen local businesses gain recognition through regional and national awards, home based businesses expand their production and Horsham district become the foodie capital of Sussex.”

Popular with Sussex residents and visitors alike, a special offers booklet lasts throughout the Festival and accompanies a separate directory of Horsham District food and drink businesses, 'Your Local Food & Drink Guide 2014/15, which lasts a full 12 months. Using it, lovers of local food and drink can find suppliers and producers from the Horsham District and the surrounding area all year round.

For the full line up of what's happening when and where, get Your Local Food and Drink Guide and Festival Offers Booklet from participating businesses, venues such as District Libraries, Markets and Leisure and Arts Venues or online at www.horshamlocalproduce.co.uk

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Contact for further information:     Leigh Chambers (01403 21526)

Note for Editors:

• Horsham District Council launched the original Food Festival in 2003. Local councillor Roger Patterson championed the event as a means to revive the rural economy following the foot and mouth outbreak where, although there were no outbreaks locally, footpath closures and media coverage had a devastating impact on Horsham District businesses. 
• Organising the original Food and Drink Festival unearthed an array of talented and dedicated local food & drink businesses based in the District, not only in rural areas but also Horsham Town. Many more have started up over the 12 years making the district Foodie heaven for those passionate about local produced food & drink. 
• Horsham District, the second largest in West Sussex, is 85% rural with 6 market towns and many picturesque villages.  The main urban centre is Horsham town.
• Since 2006 when they were first established, a large proportion of finalists and winners in the annual Sussex food and drink awards have been located in Horsham District. 
• Many businesses located in Horsham District have achieved national success in the  Great Taste Awards (e.g. Bookham Harrison Foods; Horsham Gingerbread; Wiston Estate); and competitions like the National Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2014 (e.g. Fishmonger of the Year Veasy & Sons; Greengrocer of the Year  -  The Sussex Produce Co – Steyning).
• The Steyning & District Food and Drink Festival is in its 2nd year and is billed as the 'Festival within a Festival'. Over 40 businesses and events contribute to the overall success of the Horsham District Festival. Find out more at www.steyningdistrictfooddrinkfestival.co.uk  
• Recognised for its business-friendly focus, Horsham District Council won an award for initiatives like Horsham District Food & Drink Festival and Microbiz. 
• The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and its campaign to 'Keep it Local' sponsors' the Festival.
• Horsham District Council organises the annual food and drink festival with the generous support of the following local sponsors and participating businesses: Gold Sponsor - Crates Local Produce; Carmela; Spofforths; Foundry Press; West Sussex County Times; The District Post; FSB – Federation of Small Businesses; Spirit FM; West Sussex Gazette; Weekend; West Sussex County Council.