COINCIDING with the 10th annual Christchurch Food and Wine Festival, the Captain’s Club Hotel in Dorset has devised a weekend of culinary treats like no other.

Their two-night VIP package includes luxury river-facing accommodation on Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, a private breakfast with celebrity chefs Chris and James Tanner, VIP access to the food festival and cookery demos and a complimentary bottle of Champagne.

This year the festival will bring a host of celebrity chefs to the area including Lesley Waters, Gary Rhodes and the Tanner brothers.

The 4-star Captain’s Club weekend break costs £399 and is based on two people sharing. For further details contact Cheryl Davies on 01202 491358 or email office@captainsclubhotel.com.

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BAGEL Heaven in Westover Road, Westbourne, opened its doors earlier this month and it seems Bournemouth’s first ever bagel bar has been a hit with local foodies.

Margaret and Paul Hitchman, who run the bar, began their love affair with the bagel when they went on their honeymoon to the States.

“Since then we have searched the UK for Britain’s perfect bagel and are bringing the best and most delicious to Bournemouth,” says Margaret.

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Bournemouth residents are being encouraged to vote for Boscombe Beach as the UK’s favourite picnic spot in this year’s Warburtons Picnic Awards.

Warburtons is hosting the third annual awards in the build-up to this year’s National Bread Week, which runs this week and celebrates the Great British picnic and the Great British outdoors.

Up against nine other picnic spots across the South East, Boscombe Beach will battle it out in the regional heat to become the South East’s Best Picnic Spot and will also be given the chance to represent the region in the national final.

The overall winner will receive £1,000 cash bursary for the site and a plaque to ensure all visitors know it’s the UK’s favourite place to picnic. Each regional winner will also receive a £500 bursary towards the maintenance of the site.

To vote for your local picnic spot, log on to welovebread.co.uk and register your vote today.