If you’re a food festival addict you might already be aware of the annual Great Bath Feast. Every autumn Bath gets serious about its food and drink, with a series of events, celebrity appearances and a whole load of deals and promotions on tantalising taste experiences across the city. The 2013 line up of speakers and events promises to be as exciting as ever, so if you’re going to be visiting Bath or staying nearby during October, be sure to see what’s on as part of the feast this year.
We’ve pulled out a few highlights that you might want to get involved with, but you can find the full programme on the Great Bath Feast website
.
Staying in Bath
Bath is a fantastic city to visit at any time of year, but the autumn is an especially beautiful time. Travel is easy by train; you can get to the main station (Bath Spa) in just 90 minutes from London Paddington. Similarly there are lots of places to stay in the area, from beautiful bed and breakfasts to central bath hotels such as Francis Hotel
in Queen Square – conveniently located for many of the events taking place during the Great Bath Feast this year.
Event highlights
‘Eat Between the Lines’ with Raymond Blanc
You might recognise French chef Raymond Blanc from television shows including How to Cook Well, The Very Hungry Frenchman and Great British Food Revival. He’s also written several books; and a signed copy of one is included in the ticket price for this fabulous evening at his restaurant Brasserie Blanc in Queen Square.
At this talk Raymond will speak to the audience about his career, recipes and his own home cooking. It promises to be an insightful evening of food and inspiration. Not to be missed if you’re a fan of the French food master!
Mary Berry: Recipe for Life
Mary Berry has been helping Britain bake perfect cakes and create amazing meals since the 70s, and as a judge on the Great British Bake Off she has now entered the consciousness and kitchens of yet another generation. This year she releases her autobiography Recipe for Life, and is gracing the Great Bath Feast with a talk and book signing at Bathwick St. Mary church where she was married in 1966.
The ticket price includes a copy of her new autobiography and it’s a great opportunity to spend an evening with one of Bath’s best-loved former residents.
The Bath Life Safari Supper
Three top notch restaurants are joining forces on the 16th of October to host the Bath Life Safari Supper – a delicious tour of the city where you’ll take in a champagne reception and first course, second course and final course at the Royal Crescent Hotel, The Chequers and The Queensbury Olive Tree Restaurant respectively.
Highlights of the evening will include a final course cooked by Heston Blumenthal, Adam Simmonds and Michael Caines’ protégé Chris Cleghorn. Chris became head chef at The Olive Tree Restaurant in February of this year and has continued to build on his excellent reputation ever since.
Babette’s Feast – film screening at the Crumbs Supper Club
To celebrate the Komedia’s fifth birthday and the Great Bath Feast, Crumbs magazine is holding one of its famous Supper Clubs at the venue on 14th of October and screening classic foodie film Babette’s Feast
, starring Stéphane Audran and Bodil Kjer.
The film, set during the French civil war, tells the story a French refugee in Denmark who lives with and works for a pair of religiously devout Danish sisters. After coming into some money unexpectedly, our lead character cooks an enticing French meal for her employers and their guests. We then witness the group’s obstinate struggle to remain impassive before the luxurious feast they are presented with.