Top 5 Food & Drink Events in May
I've been trawling through the events pages again planning my month ahead and I can safely say we have a real smorgasbord of Hampshire and Surrey food and drink events to choose from this month. It wasn't easy, but I've narrowed it down to my top five below.
As for our tours, we'll be out and about in both counties. Our Hampshire Tour runs on Saturday 12th May while our Surrey Hills Tour is on Saturday 26th May. It's going to be such a lovely time to hop on a tour - with Spring well and truly settled in now, the countryside and the vineyards will be awash with glorious green!
Here's what else is happening in May:
Surbiton Food Festival
5 - 20 May 2018, Surbiton, Surrey
As a former Surbiton resident and an active participant, this is a festival that I really enjoy. There are a whole host of events to take part in, including a Village Fete and Dry Hopped Beer Festival on 12-13 May (where we'll have a stand - come and say hi!) and a tongue-in-cheek "Freshwater Sardine Festival" on 6 May that has to be seen to be believed.
Surbiton Food Festival >>Sparsholt Countryside Day
12 May 2018, Sparsholt College, Hampshire
This popular annual event includes a food festival, at which many of our favourite Hampshire food and drinks producers will be exhibiting, as well as demonstrations from some of Hampshire's top executive chefs, including Andy Mackenzie of Lainston House and Luke Matthews of Chewton Glen
Sparsholt Countryside Day 2018 >>
A little silliness and a whole lot of fun at the Freshwater Sardine Festival
Salad celebrations at the Alresford Watercress Festival
Alresford Watercress Festival
20 May 2018, New Alresford, Hampshire
It's the big one, when thousands of people flock to Alresford to celebrate Hampshire's favourite salad leaf. There will be over 80 stalls lining the street showcasing some of the county's very best food and drink producers, while the hardcore watercress lovers among you might like to try your luck in the World Watercress Eating Championships.
Alresford Watercress Festival >>The Great Solent Gin Festival
26-27 May 2018, Southampton Common, Hampshire
At this year's Common People festival in Southampton, the organisers have dedicated a special garden space to the celebration of Mother's Ruin. There will be over 50 gins featured, carefully selected from the UK and around the world, with a handful of gin masterclasses to boot. The ticket price also gives you full access to the music festival. Sounds like the perfect day out!
The Great Solent Gin Festival >>Surrey County Show
28 May 2018, Guildford, Surrey
This huge annual show always has a lot to offer Surrey foodies. In the Food Tent this year you can hear talks from celebrity chef Brian Turner, as well as a host of local favourites including Albury Vineyard, Bake With Jack, chef Dan Britten and butcher Simon Taylor. There will also be ferret racing, duck racing and donkey rides. Brilliant!
Surrey County Show >>