Appetite brews for Emsworth food fortnight as more events announced

The British Food Fortnight in Emsworth will be holding more than 75 events from September 17.

Among the main attractions at this year’s bash is a massive seafood lunch on Emsworth quay.

Embracing the village’s maritime history, top chefs from the Blue Bell Inn, Fat Olives restaurant, Brookfield Hotel and Restaurant 36 on the Quay will collaborate for the feast on September 25.

Residents of Emsworth will also be coming together the week before to take part in ever-popular apple pressing day.

Made with local apples, the village’s apple presse for 2016 will be freshly produced and bottled in the Square on September 18.

Organiser Alistair Gibson has expressed his excitement for the fortnight after it was revealed that over a third more events have been arranged from other businesses.

He said: ‘We were determined to build on last year’s success and are so grateful to the partners we have been able to involve.’

The association has also announced that Chichester-based chocolatiers Montezuma’s are this year’s headline sponsors.

Alistair said: ‘Their support will enable us to invest more in food education and awareness as well as allowing the range and breadth of events to increase.

‘I can’t wait to see Emsworth celebrating this year’s harvest.’

Montezuma’s co-founder and director, Helen Pattinson, is looking forward to expanding the brand even further thanks to the partnership,

She said: ‘Producing all of our chocolate just a few miles away, the fortnight is a fantastic forum for us to get as many people to try Montezuma’s as possible and showcase our products to such an interested audience.’

A full programme will be unveiled on September 1 but several fixtures have already cropped up – including Emsworth’s first-ever beer and cider festival.

The three-day showcase, which starts September 30, will host dozens of local and national brews, as well as wines, cider and live entertainment.