Brockenhurst College hosts New Forest Eats ‘n’ Treats food and craft festival

The New Forest Eats ‘n’ Treats festival at Brockenhurst College last Sunday featured a day of food demonstrations, crafts and entertainment for all the family.

From 10am- 4pm visitors were able to tour artisan food stalls, craft workshops and a pop-up food court.

The event, run in conjunction with Go New Forest and New Forest Marque, represented the official conclusion of New Forest Food & Drink Week.

Demonstrations included masterclasses by former Ritz Pastry Chef Alan Collier from the New Forest Cookery School, which is based at the College.

Also, award-winning chocolatier and former Brock student Kerry Witt ran a chocolate demonstration as well as a children’s chocolate-making activity under her brand, Chocolate by Miss Witt.

Not only that, guests were able to sample food and drink from stalls including Burley Fudge Shop, Southbourne Ales, Naked Jam, Beachcomber Gin, Hockey’s Farm and Ahh Roma Coffee.

For something more substantial, New Forest Pizza Co. and Clark’s Kitchen were on hand serving food throughout the day, along with a variety of other food stalls including vegetarian and vegan options.

Craft stalls sold a range of locally-produced products such as candles, bags, bunting, wooden toys and clay figurines.

In addition, a line-up of local musicians performed live during the event.

Anthony Climpson OBE, Chief Executive from Go New Forest, said: “There’s no better way to end our second ever New Forest Food & Drink Week than the Eats ’n’ Treats event at Brockenhurst College.

“It’s a brilliant showcase of everything our local producers, chefs and hospitality and retail businesses have to offer our residents and visitors,” he added.

Head of Marketing and Communications at Brockenhurst College, Rebekah Donawa, commented: “This event was yet another fantastic opportunity for us to engage with our local community, and also a chance for visitors to tour our professional-standard learning facilities for hospitality courses.”

Free demos throughout the day:

• Chocolate by Miss Witt
• Lymington: Naked Jam – Multi-Award Winning Preserves & Jams
• Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa
• New Park Manor Hotel
• Captain’s Club Hotel and Spa
• Former Ritz Pastry Chef Alan Collier from New Forest Cookery School
• Cocktail making and samples from Pothecary Gin.

Music

• Lee Rasdall-Dove Music – Embrace the passion of a well-travelled singer/songwriter who pours his life experience into every song.
• Kitty O’Neal – As heard on BBC Introducing and in venues across the South. Kitty mixes folk influences with a love of RnB and electronic sound – giving a unique and ever-evolving sound, paired with an emotive performance.
• Martha Paton – Martha is a South London based singer/songwriter specialising in folk and country-infused pop music. Influenced by artists such as Laura Marling, Margo Price and First Aid Kit, Martha also writes little chocolate-box songs about the city and suburbia.
• Charlie Hole – Singer/songwriter coined by Rod Stewart as an ’emerging talent’. Relax and enjoy his ‘beautifully crafted words over effortless melodies’.