THOUSANDS of people flocked to the Speech House near Coleford on Sunday to get their teeth into a wide range of locally made treats.

The Forest Showcase food festival also gave local people the opportunity to get some top tips from a range of local chefs.

For the first time, the Showcase featured a ‘talks and tastings’ tent which included a ‘mad science’ show demonstrating some unusual uses for everyday kitchen ingredients.

In the cookery theatre the day started with chefs Woz and Loz cooking breakfast.

Yvette Farrell from the Harts Barn Cookery School at Longhope demonstrated how to cook for people with food intolerances and Dan Blewitt showcased vegan food.

Head chef at the Speech House Hotel, Gareth Jenkins, championed local produce and the potential of what’s available on our doorstep.

Andy Robertson, a tutor at the Harts Barn Cookery School at Longhope, demonstrated autumnal desserts and Don Bridges of the Pudding Shop reminded everyone that Christmas isn’t too far away by asking ‘What’s in your Christmas pudding?’

At the end of the day, the chefs created dishes from local and foraged ingredients.

There was also an opportunity to get ‘hands on’ with foraging with sessions offered by the Rewild Project, one of a number of projects supported by the Foresters’ Forest.

Elsewhere, there was a chance for parents and children to get involved in cooking their own healthy meal, including making pasta.

Among the visitors to the show was Kath White of Cinderford who said she and her family had enjoyed a great day out.

She said: “It’s been really interesting to see all the different producers from the local area.

“I never knew there were so many people producing gin around here.

“The kids have really enjoyed it too – there has been plenty to keep them occupied.

“We’ve also been really lucky with the weather – the sunshine has really helped,” she added.

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