MOUTHWATERING offerings are being promised to foodie fans visiting the international food market in Christchurch this weekend.

The bountiful market kicks off this year’s Echo-backed Christchurch Food and Wine Festival, which runs from Friday with the final of the Junior Cook of the Year contest, until the following Sunday, May 17.

Locally produced chocolate, cheese and cider will be on sale alongside continental treats including bratwurst, Turkish delight, olives, paella and pizza.

The French market will be selling biscuits, cheese, fresh vegetables and fruit and competing with the Italian market, which is taking to the streets of Christchurch for the first time in the food festival’s history.

Shoppers will also be jostling elbow to elbow with fellow food-lovers for the Dorset farmers’ lamb, venison, cider and bread as well as locally made sausages, ice cream, jams and oysters.

The event will be officially opened by Gary Rhodes and festival patron Lesley Waters on the balcony of the Mayor’s Parlour in the High Street at 10am on Saturday.

Following the grand opening of the festival, cookery demonstrations with Gary Rhodes and Lesley Waters will take place in the Rangemaster theatre in Saxon Square at 11am and noon.

On Sunday, The Tanner Brothers will be tempting the taste buds of passers-by when they give two demos at noon and 2.30pm alongside some of Christchurch’s own local chefs.

For the younger creative cooks, the Kids Kitchen at Druitt Hall will give them an opportunity to try out some food they may not have tried before under the expert guidance of food writer and nutritionist Ester Davies.

The free workshops will start at 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.15pm and 3.30pm all weekend.

  • For more information go to christchurchfoodfest.co.uk or call 01202 471780 for a programme.