I spotted a sign for Christchurch food and wine festival in the car one day on our way back from Southampton and I am so glad we did. It meant Darren and I were about to spend our Sunday afternoon browsing the stalls of local food merchants and taste some of their offerings. The weather was the only let down which managed catch us out a few times, however whilst the heavens opened we huddled under a marquee which was giving out free cheese testers. How very convenient.
The food and wine festival is an annual event whereby local foodies from around the UK gather and transform the quiet town of Christchurch into a bustling street market. There was all sorts of food on offer from confectionery to venison and crocodile burgers. The streets were absolutely full to the brim with hungry buyers who were all eager to taste the delicacies on offer.
After doing several laps of the food stalls Darren settled on a burger, of course. I can't remember 100% what burger he settled for, but I have a feeling it may have been lamb. Which ever one he went for it certainly didn't last long as he projected all the satisfactory "mmmhhhmmmm" noises.
I had high hopes for some exciting vegetarian stalls preferably featuring a falafel, halloumi and avocado concoction however there were none to be seen. By this point the weather had started to chill and I was moving into some serious hangry territory. I was just about to give up and get some lunch from Waitrose when I turned the corner and much to by delight I spotted a tiny alleyway which had some vegetarian stalls tucked away. I ordered a falafel wrap with tomato salsa which in retrospect was over priced. However, I was really hungry so it suited me just fine.
We are hoping to go again next year and I am really keen to take the train down so we can try the local gins and mojitos as they looked incredible. In the meantime Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival is scheduled to return to Bournemouth Square from 20th - 29th June so I am looking forward to seeing how that compares.
