Nelson and Colne College has been announced as the Gold Sponsor for Nelson Food and Drink Festival on Saturday September 19th.
The college, an integral part of the local community for more than 40 years, will play a key role in the landmark event and will be hosting a stand on the day.
Taking place from 10am to 4pm in the centre of Nelson, the Food and Drink Festival will be the culmination of a four-month campaign to raise the profile of the town’s array of independent shops and businesses.
Farringtons Restaurant and Bistro, at Nelson and Colne College, will launch the Nelson Food and Drink Festival by hosting a pre-event dinner.
A host of food stalls will fill the town centre around The Shuttle monument, stacked with tasty treats ranging from traditional Lancashire favourites to Asian delicacies and other international flavours.
A series of live cookery demonstrations will be hosted by celebrity chef Richard Fox, who starred in ITV’s “Men Brewing Badly” alongside actor Neil Morrissey. As well as cooking his own signature dishes, Richard will work with local chefs and a team from the college’s Catering Academy sharing their culinary expertise.
Other attractions on the day will include street entertainers and hands-on activities for youngsters, including a cake decorating competition. The festival also has its own website at www.nelsonfoodfestival.co.uk which will continue to grow in the run-up to the event.
As part of its Gold Sponsor commitment, Nelson and Colne College will launch the Food and Drink Festival in fine style by hosting a pre-event dinner at its acclaimed Farringtons Restaurant and Bistro, part of the college campus. It will take place on Friday September 18th, with a special menu to celebrate the area’s finest produce.
Debbie Howard, from the college’s Catering Hospitality and Events department.
During the Festival itself, staff and students from the College’s Catering department will also be available to talk to. In the next academic year, the College will be open every lunch time from Tuesday to Thursday, as well as Thursday evenings – giving local residents the chance to experience for themselves the superb talent that is right on their doorsteps.
Due to the training they have received, Nelson and Colne College students have gone on to work in Michelin star venues, including Tom Kerridge’s “Hand and Flowers”, Raymond Blanc’s “Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons” and Heston Blumenthal’s “The Hinds Head”.
Debbie Howard, from the college’s Catering Hospitality and Events department, said: “It’s really important for the college to reach out beyond the campus and take part in events in our wider community. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students – we’re really looking forward to being part of the Nelson Food and Drink Festival and proud to be associated with it.”
The festival is being organised by Burnley-based Scott Dawson Advertising , appointed by Nelson Town Team to run its “Nelson Shops & Events” promotional campaign. In June this year Scott Dawson ran a similar food festival in Accrington which attracted more than 10,000 visitors to the town centre and market hall, and where traders have reported a sustained benefit.
There are still opportunities to get involved with the festival on September 19th – for details contact Sue Lawson at Scott Dawson on
01282 423846 (email: sue@scottdawson.co.uk)
