ORGANISERS of the first-ever New Forest Food and Drink Festival are celebrating the success of the mouth-watering event.

TV celebrities such as Greg Wallace and Simon Rimmer joined thousands of local foodies who flocked to more than 120 events staged at top eateries across the district.

Billed as a gastronomic orgy, the week-long festival featured 15 themes that showcased the best food and drink available in the area.

The chairman, Anthony Climpson, said: “After a year of planning it was fantastic to see so many of the Forest’s food community join together to ensure the week was the success it deserved to be.

“The good weather meant many of our visitors were able to explore this unique British environment in between enjoying the diverse events we organised.

“Our aim was to draw people into the Forest at a time when things can be quieter, to really show them everything we have.

“In many ways autumn is the New Forest season, as the amazing food and drink that were produced and served during our festival showed.”

One of the main events was held at the Rhinefield House Hotel in Brockenhurst where Gregg Wallace, presenter of Masterchef, hosted a four-course dinner featuring locally-sourced food.

Guests were treated to a surprise menu, with Gregg describing each course just before it appeared. Fellow celebrity Simon Rimmer, star of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, hosted a vegetarian banquet at Burley Manor.

A festival spokesman said: “Guests learned all about complimentary and contrasting foods that make your palate pop – and his reasons for choosing each dish on that particular evening.”

One of the other events was held at the Beaulieu Road sales ring, where New Forest ponies are bought and sold in the autumn.

Those taking part included the New Forest agisters, who are employed by the Verderers to deal with animal-related issues.

About 1,300 foodies flocked to the festival finale at Brockenhurst College, which hosted a producers’ market plus a series of demonstrations by chefs from across the Forest.