Wish for an Indian summer because it's a good month for gastronomic activity. Scottish, British and Welsh food is celebrated in separate events, while there are plenty of fabulous food festivals all around the country; read more here.
3-17 September
Organic Fortnight
Nationwide, UK
Organised by the Soil Association, that maintains organic standards in the UK, this two-week celebration of all things organic is a great excuse to host a dinner party for close friends and family and enjoy organic cuisine. A chance to try out some new recipes and promote healthier eating, eating organic is not only better for us but for our environment too. There are over 100 organic farms across the UK taking part and there's an Organic Food Festival 11-12 September at Bristol Harbourside. Website.
4-19 September
Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight
Various locations across Scotland
Expect food and drink events, cookery demonstrations, promotions and offers from some of Scotland’s local artisan producers and the biggest food and drink companies in the country. This campaign, highlighting the best of Scotland’s food and drink, aims to be the biggest and best yet. Website.
10-12 September
Ludlow Food Festival
Ludlow, Shropshire
This pretty town may be small but it’s got a large reputation when it comes to food. Its annual food festival is a heavyweight amongst gastronomic events: visitors are treated to demonstrations from top chefs, talk, street food and great menu deals. Don’t miss it. Website.
11-12 September
Harvest at Jimmy’s
Jimmy’s Farm, Suffolk
Good music and great food go hand in hand at Jimmy’s farm. whether you camp or just go for the day, there’s plenty to do. As well as music there's demos, workshops and high-profile chefs cooking: chefs include Thomasina Miers, Valentine Warner, The Hairy Bikers and more. Live music comes from Scouting for Girls and folk sensation Kate Rusby. Certainly the place to be this September. Website.
11-12 September
Marlow Food Festival
Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Following the success of last year’s inaugural festival, the 2010 Marlow Food Festival has been extended to two days in order to fit in the vast array of exciting activities. Events include celebrity chef masterclasses, food and wine tasting sand talks from gourmet barbeque specialists Man, Meat, Fire and Chris Day of Jimmy’s Farm. Fun for all the family and the proceeds go to charity. Website.
17-26 September
York Food Festival
York, Yorkshire
This year’s theme is ‘Meet the Yorkshire Food Heroes’ – the festival is working with Yorkshire’s National Parks, the National Trust and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to promote sustainable producers. A range of events is on offer such as demonstrations by local producers, informal daily tastings, a variety of collaborative stands plus there's the general buzz of the festival market place. Website.
18-19 September
Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival
Loch Lomond Shores, Scotland
Celebrating and demonstrating Scottish cooking and produce, this annual event is a great opportunity to taste everything from game to whisky. With so much home-grown produce on offer, you'll get a real insight into Highland life. In addition to the Scottish produce there's a Continental Market where you can experience a diverse range of different flavours from across the world. A live folk band sets the mood for the festival, making this a real treat for your taste buds and ears. Website.
18-19 September
Abergavenny: The Town Of Cooks Food Festival
Abergavenny, Wales
With over 80 events to choose from, including masterclasses, tutored tastings, literary talks and debates, this food festival promises to offer a magical culinary experience. One particular attraction will be Michelin-starred chef Sat Bains and his ‘Great Taste’ demonstration in which he will present the winning products from the Great Taste Awards. This year the Abergavenny organisers have teamed up with Italian food event ‘Divingusto’ – the Puglia Food and Wine Festival – to create a stall showcasing famous products from the region. In the evening there's a party in The Castle on the Saturday night complete with music, entertainment and fireworks. Website.
18-19 September
Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival
East Sussex, Hastings
Now in its fifth year, this event is estimated to attract 50,000 visitors over the weekend. Hastings is renowned for its seafood and is home to the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe. During this festival, visitors can try a wide variety of locally sourced fish and learn how to match the differing types of seafood with regional wine. Attractions include: jazz breakfasts, street entertainment, live music, culinary talks and cookery demos by local chefs. Website.
18-19 September
Alnwick Food Festival
Various venues, Alnwick, Northumberland
Alnwick is set to be the culinary capital of Northumberland as the Food Festival joins forces with the Alnwick Beer Festival to cook up a weekend of family fun. There will be many opportunities to sample the region’s best produce as well as cookery demonstrations, wine tasting and even a chocolate-making experience. To keep the kids amused there is a specific Children’s Food Festival located in The Alnwick Garden. Website.
18 September-3 October
British Food Fortnight
Nationwide, UK
The 9th British Food Fortnight takes place during Harvest Festival, a traditional time for celebrating food. This worthwhile campaign celebrates the diverse range of Britain produce with promotions and tastings in shops, all-British menus in eateries around the country, plus cookery lessons in schools and at food festivals. Whether you are shopping to cook at home or eating out in pubs or restaurants, you’ll be able to enjoy the best of British food. Website.
18 September–3 October
Welsh Food Fortnight
Various locations across Wales
Coinciding with British Food Fortnight, there are lots of activities and events taking place in Wales to celebrate the diverse and delicious range of Welsh food on offer, including tastings and promotions in shops, all-Welsh menus in pubs and restaurants and food and cookery lessons in schools. Website.
19 September
Brick Lane Curry Festival
East London
Curry addicts will be heading to Brick Lane in their thousands as the Brick Lane Curry Festival returns for the 14th year. The event, one of London’s most eagerly anticipated annual food festivals, takes place on Sunday 19 September, and culminates in a music festival and street party. Website.
23-26 September
Galway International Oyster Festival
Various venues, Galway, Ireland
Regarded as one of the most celebrated and longest running festivals in the world, the 56th Galway International Oyster Festival is home to the World Oyster Championships, where 100,000 oysters are washed down with gallons of Guinness before hundreds of competitors battle it out to open 30 molluscs in the quickest time. With live music and competitions, this event is an un-missable weekend. Website.
24 September
Macmillan’s Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning
Nationwide, UK
Fill your mug for Macmillan as the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is back on the 24 September. Get your friends and colleagues together and have a coffee break that will make a difference. Whether it’s in your living room, at the office, or down your local pub it couldn’t be easier to support Macmillan this year. To register for your own coffee morning and for more ideas on how to make your event a hit visit the website.
24 September
Malaysia Night
Trafalgar Square, London
Malaysia is set to take over the capital for one night of free entertainment in the form of an authentic Malaysian Pasar Malam. Hosted by Malaysia Kitchen, this night is designed to offer Londoners a chance to experience the vibrant cuisine of Malaysia. Visitors will be spoilt for choice as over 20 Malaysian restaurants operate their own individual stalls presenting unique signature dishes. Other traditional Malaysian features include tea and juice stalls as well as arts and crafts delights. Website.
24-26 September
Cornwall Food & Drink Festival
Festival Marquee, Lemon Quay, Truro, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly
Headined by Nathan Outlaw, the winner of this year’s South West heat of BBC TV’s Great British Menu, there is a chance to see some of the county’s best chefs in action. You can also attend the Skill School and pick up some tricks of the trade from a range of experts, or grab a bite to eat in the popular Croust Bar. If competition takes your fancy then why not cheer on the BBC Radio Cornwall presenters as they go head-to-head against the clock in a live cooking challenge. And there’s stuff to entertain the kids too as two teams of under 11s battle it out in the Young Chef’s Challenge on Sunday morning. Website.
25-26 September
Great British Cheese Festival
Cardiff Castle, Cardiff
If you’re a cheese lover this is one festival not to miss – an opportunity to taste over 400 sheep, cow, goat and even buffalo cheeses along with artisan wine, cider, perry and beer. If you’re more of a meat or pie lover, this festival’s got something to tickle your taste buds too. Website.
24-26 September
Toast
Clapham Common, London, SW4
A festival to celebrate everything about South African, New Zealand and Australian culture, from home-grown food to international polo, live music to wine-tasting. This year’s 10th festival is set to be another successful, fun weekend. Website.
24 September-9 October
Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival
Various venues, Aldeburgh, Suffolk
A two-week festival celebrating local food and drink from East Suffolk, the main festivities will take place over the weekend of 24-26 September, starting with a conference entitled: ‘Food. Why we need to change our eating habits and how it can be done.’ Over the remainder of the weekend there’ll be over 70 exhibitors showcasing everything from organic vegetables to frozen yoghurt, which you can wash down with a variety of beer, wine and lagers. There's also talks, workshops and cookery demonstrations from top chefs including Valentine Warner, Sheila Dillon, Thomasina Miers and more. Website.
25-26 September
Taste Cumbria Food Festival
Cockermouth, Cumbria
The first ever Taste Cumbria Food Festival is a weekend event reflecting the wonderful food and drink offerings from the region. Situated in a beautiful bustling market town, birthplace of the Great English poet William Wordsworth, the event ensures a feast of all things foodie. Various attractions include traditional farmers’ markets and celebrity chef demonstrations as well as bars, pubs and eateries all getting involved. The showpiece of the festival takes place on Saturday and is an ‘Open Dining’ event that will witness Cockermouth’s transformation into a huge open-air food court. Website.
25 September-3 October
British Cheese Week
Nationwide, UK
A nationwide campaign to promote British Cheese, this event coincides with British Food Fortnight and is supported by cheese makers, retailers, restaurants and the media. The two focal points of the week are The Great British Cheese Festival and the announcement of the winners of the British Cheese Awards. Website.