Here's our pick of the tasty events going on around the UK this month:
25 February-4 March
Rye Bay Scallops Week
What: Nine days of special scallop menus and events around this East Sussex fishing town.
Where: Rye
Cost: Free, although you’ll obviously have to pay to eat.
More info: scallop.org.uk/
1-15 March
Regent Street Food Safari
What: Seven restaurants around Regent Street offer special tasting plates or menus.
Where: Various restaurants and hotels (see website for more details)
Cost: Varies
More info: www.regentstreetonline.com
2-4 March
Feast East Food & Drink Festival 2012
What: Over 90 producers of local and regional food and drink on display with demonstrations.
Where: Chilford Hall, Linton
Cost: Advance tickets are £4
More info: www.feasteast.co.uk
3 March
World Pasty Championships
What: Competition for both amateur and professional bakers.
Where: Eden Project
Cost: £10 per pasty entry (includes entry to Eden Project for entrant + one guest); £5 for Devon and Cornwall residents; otherwise, normal entry prices
More info: www.edenproject.com
9-11 March
Squires Kitchen’s cake decorating, chocolate and sugarcraft exhibition
What: Free demonstrations, all the latest cake accessories and cake displays.
Where: Maltings, Farnham
Cost: A one-day ticket costs £9 if bought before 31 January
More info: www.squires-shop.com
10 March
Moretonhampstead Festival of Food, Drink and the Arts
What: A one-day festival with cookery demonstrations and 90 stalls of local fare.
Where: Moretonhampstead
Cost: Free (small charge for cookery demonstrations)
More info: http://moretonfestival.com/
11 March
Great British Mustard Bash
What: Spicy demonstrations, talks and competitions.
Where: Scalford Hall, near Melton Mowbray (the former home of Colonel Colman, no less)
Cost: £5 per car
More info: www.mustardbash.co.uk
16-18 March
Edible Garden Show
What: “The ultimate grow your event”.
Where: Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth
Cost: Advance tickets cost £12 for adults, £10 for seniors and children 6-16, children under 16 are free
More info: www.theediblegardenshow.co.uk
16 March-1 April
Ideal Home Show 2012
What: There are food stalls, a homeware section, Celebrity Chef Theatre (hosted by our very own Andrew Webb) and Gregg Wallace’s Café at the mammoth exhibition of all things home. You can win tickets to the show here
Where: Earls Court Exhibition Centre
Cost: Adult tickets from £12, seniors from £10, children under 16 free
More info: www.idealhomeshow.co.uk
17-18 March
Brighton Chocolate Festival
What: Two days of chocolate-fuelled festivities.
Where: New Road, Brighton
Cost: Free
More info: www.festivalchocolate.co.uk
17-18 March
VegFest UK
What: One of Europe’s biggest events for vegetarians.
Where: Hove Centre, Norton Road, Hove
Cost: Free
More info: www.brighton.vegfest.co.uk
17-25 March
Falmouth Spring Festival
What: Loads of food events as part of this festival including food markets and a wild food cookery course.
Where: Various venues around Falmouth
Cost: Varies, but some events free
More info: www.falmouth.co.uk
24-25 March
Oxford Chocolate Festival
What: Two days of chocolate-fuelled festivities.
Where: Broad Street
Cost: Free
More info: www.festivalchocolate.co.uk
30 March-9 April
Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival
What: A celebration of Sussex’s food and drink, including awards, festival menus and markets.
Where: Various venues around Brighton and Hove
Cost: Varies, but many events free
More info: www.brightonfoodfestival.com
30 March-1 April
London Chocolate Festival
What: Two days of chocolate-fuelled festivities.
Where: Southbank Centre Square (behind Royal Festival Hall)
Cost: Free
More info: www.festivalchocolate.co.uk
Have we missed any?
If you know of other great festivals or events happening at any point in the future, please let us know in the Comments section below. No trade-only events please.
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