March offers a range of events for foodies to enjoy, whether you’re a vegetarian (or veggie-curious), or strictly carnivorous. East-Anglian produce takes centre stage, and that favourite wintery-comfort food, the pie, gets a last chance to shine before the summer arrives. Plus, there’s the chance to treat yourself to a fab meal for a really great cause.
1-31 March
Meat-Free Month
Nationwide
March is the month of the veggie, and there will be a range of activities and promotions to highlight the benefits of a meat-free diet. It’s not just your health that could improve by eating more vegetarian meals, there’s also evidence that the environment could benefit. Whether you want to bang the drum for the cause, or just eat less meat, there’s no better time to get involved. Website.
1-7 March
British Pie Week
Nationwide
Make the most of the last of the wintry weather this week, as Britain celebrates all things pie! There will be promotions in pubs across the country, as well as a nationwide hunt to find the face of British Pie Week. Why not join in the celebration of this classic comfort food by making your favourite at home? Website. Pie recipes.
1 March
St David’s Day
Wales
A day of remembrance commemorating the death of the patron saint of Wales, Saint David, on 1 March in 589. In 2007, a petition delivered to Tony Blair was unsuccessful in its attempt to make St David’s Day a bank holiday. It's an important event for schoolchildren, who used to officially have a half-day school holiday. Across Wales, a variety of festivals and parades mark the day, and it is traditional to wear either a daffodil or a leek on your lapel! Leek recipes.
4-14 March
The Wigan Food and Drink Festival
Wigan, Lancashire
The Wigan Food and Drink Festival 2010 is one of the largest food and drink festivals in the north-west of England. There will be something for every tastebud with 20 events over 10 days. Cookery classes, tours and special restaurant evenings including Dinner with Antony Worrall Thompson and Wines of the World with Jilly Goolden will be on offer. Other festival highlights include: The Wigan CAMRA Beer Festival (4-6), The Wigan Outdoor Market Kitchen Theatre (8-13) and The Sweet Tooth Fair (12-13). Website.
5-6 March
Tastes of Anglia Feast East
Chilford Hall Vineyard, Linton, Cambridgeshire
The food and drink of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk is celebrated at Feast East. Over 5,000 visitors are expected, and they will be able to sample some of the counties’ finest foods and drink at various producers’ stands. There will be demonstrations by chefs, as well as food producers, and there will be a dedicated area encouraging youngsters in the kitchen. For more information, visit the website.
8 March
Who’s Cooking Dinner?
The Langham, Regent Street, London
This event sees 20 of the country’s top chefs cook an exquisite meal for 200 guests, to raise money for the leukaemia centre at Hammersmith Hospital. Since 1999, Who’s Cooking Dinner? has raised over £3.1 million for the cause. Tom Aikens, Jason Atherton and Richard Corrigan are among the chefs confirmed for 2010. To find out more, visit the website.
10-12 March
London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival
Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, London
This annual festival celebrates the best in beers and ciders from around the world. If you’re searching for an authentic pint, look no further. As well as the wide variety of drinks on offer, the event will be catered for by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), so there will be the opportunity to try some great food with your pint! Website.
11-14 March
La Dolce Vita
Business Design Centre, London
This annual lifestyle event celebrates the very best of the Italian way of life and feeds the UK's appetite for all things Italian with four days of fresh Italian food, wine, property, travel and design. Food lovers can focus on the mouthwatering food and drink for which Italy is so well loved the world over, and there'll be masterclasses by celebrity chefs and tastings and demonstrations by some of Italy’s top artisan food and wine producers. Website
14 March
Mother's Day
Nationwide
Always on the second Sunday in Lent, Mother's Day was originally a religious day and a time when congregations from small churches would visit their larger 'Mother' church. Today, it's a time to celebrate your dear old mum and look after her for a day.
15-20 March
National Butchers’ Week
Nationwide
This week consumers are encouraged to visit their local butcher as an alternative to buying meat in the supermarket. Advantages include being able to get a better selection of meats (including rare breeds and local produce), and making the most of your butcher’s expertise and skill. They may even be able to save you time in the kitchen by scoring, filleting or trimming your joint. Support your local butcher! Website.
17 March
St Patrick’s Day
Ireland and worldwide
St Paddy’s Day, the public holiday for Ireland’s patron saint, is becoming increasingly popular across the world, with people of Irish descent celebrating as well as other nationalities. Expect to see pubs decorated with green ribbons and shamrocks – the colour green is seen everywhere – traditional Irish fare is served and the drinking of a pint of Guinness is practically obligatory. Irish recipes.
20 March
Brighton Eco Veggie Fayre
The Hove Centre, Norton Road, Hove
A great introduction to vegetarianism, the fayre is an ideal day out for the whole family. There will be loads of opportunities to grab special offers and free tasters throughout the day, as well as the chance to take part in veggie cookery classes. For more details, visit the website.
20-21 March
The Chocolate Festival
New Road, Brighton
Stock up on Easter essentials at the Chocolate Festival in Brighton, which also runs in London 26-28 March. As well as a wide range of stalls showcasing the best chocolatiers in the UK, there will also be some exciting activities for you to take part in, including workshops and tastings, and some of the best chocolatiers in the country will be exhibiting their delicious wares. Website.
20 March-5 April
Ideal Home Show
Earls Court, London
The famous show returns with a new, revamped format for its 102nd year! The 17-day event covers every aspect of homes and interiors and there will be a host of features to get involved with. Some top names in cooking will be giving live demonstrations in the Chefs Kitchen Theatre as part of the Ideal Food section. There will also be loads of ideas to inspire anyone planning to revamp their kitchen. Website.
26-28 March
The Chocolate Festival
Southbank, London
The Chocolate Festival returns to Southbank Centre. At various times throughout the weekend, there'll be demonstrations by top pastry chefs from some of London's renowned restaurants, all using Valrhona products in their chocolate infused recipes, and master chocolatiers will create a beautiful display of sculptures made entirley from chocolate. The festival will consist of dozens of stalls, all individually focused on one area of the delicious world of chocolate as well as a range of workshops, tasting talks, demonstrations and book signings. Best British Chocolatier William Curley, Damian Allsop and Paul Wayne Gregory, as well as renowned chocolate companies like Rococo and Hotel Chocolat will be present. Website.