Member Article

Bake Off star returns to Wigan for Food and Drink Festival

A feast of fabulous events has been cooked up for this year’s Wigan Food and Drink Festival.

Taking place from Thursday 27 February – Sunday 9 March, the theme is beer and baking, with BBC Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite heading to town to host a baking masterclass and special afternoon tea.

Festival Organiser Keith Bergman, of leisure and culture provider WLCT, said: “We’re delighted to have Wigan’s own John Whaite coming back to his home turf to share his culinary expertise with the Wigan Food and Drink Festival.

“There is something for everyone on the festival’s agenda, so check out our programme and get the dates in your diary now for a fantastic foodie celebration!”

The festival - sponsored by Euromark - kicks off with the 27th Wigan CAMRA Beer Festival, offering 60 real ales, 35 real ciders and perries and a great selection of foreign draft beers, plus live music and food.

Ale enthusiasts can also hop on board the Brewery Bus to visit the borough’s three microbreweries and enjoy a few pints along the way!

Meanwhile, the baking theme continues with local schools going head to head in the Great Wigan Schools Bake off Final, whilst people are encouraged to use their loaf and compete in Wigan libraries’ bread competition.

For oenophiles , Haigh Hall will play host to The Wigan Wine Festival, offering a selection of the best reds, roses and whites, a tasting room and experts, plus food and live music. There will also be cheese tasting with former Coronation Street actor Sean Wilson, now a respected cheese maker.

In addition, there’ll be a host of activities taking place in Wigan town centre, including the food and drink market and demonstrations in the Kitchen Theatre; plus a variety of events at restaurants across the borough.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .