FOOD fans will have plenty to get their teeth into at this year’s Malvern Autumn Show, in association with Westons Cider Mill, at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern.
The bountiful weekend bursting with harvest fun, horticultural know-how and family entertainment is set to take place on September 29-30, packed to the brim with a host of tasty treats.
Diana Walton, Head of Shows at the Three Counties Showground, said: “The Malvern Autumn Show is all about championing the highlights of the season, from growing and harvesting, to cooking and spending time with family. We’re celebrating all the delights that our great British countryside offers.
“There is something for everyone to enjoy, from cookery demonstrations to indulgent afternoon teas, green hop beer and perry sampling and, not forgetting, the UK’s largest vegetables. This truly is a hearty family affair and we can’t wait to welcome visitors in to our beautiful showground to relax, eat and enjoy the best of the season.”
The brand-new Autumn Potager Theatre, hosted by award-winning food writer and grower, Mark Diacono, will welcome celebrity guests from the food and horticultural worlds to give daily demonstrations on growing and cooking.
Lively cookery demonstrations will be headed up by chef and presenter of BBC’s What to Eat Now, Valentine Warner, whilst gardening writer and Guardian columnist Alys Fowler will demonstrate how to make a variety of seasonal chutneys and pickles.
Christine Robinson, the former housekeeper of Chatsworth House, will also make an appearance, sharing her top tips for Christmas feasting, whilst also divulging secrets from the world of state banquets at the historic stately home that she carefully looked after during her 38 years of service.
For those wanting to get their hands on some of the region’s best local produce, there will be more than 50 food stands offering mouth-watering treats, as well as specialist delicacies such as poireau for the discerning shopper; the perfect chance to start ticking off gifts on the Christmas list.
It’s not just eating, shopping and demos though, there’s a real showstopper for fruit and veg fans to enjoy with the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship. With 33 classes, this is the place to peruse the world’s largest leeks, mammoth melons and biggest beetroot.
Visitors looking for a little time out from all the action will find there are plenty of options to match any mood, with a charming vintage tearoom for the perfect pick-me-up, indulgent afternoon teas in the Linden Suite Restaurant and, for those who just fancy a quick pint, the relaxed Westons Cider Garden is the perfect place to unwind.
Surrounded by straw bales, scattered seating and apple barrels, Westons Cider Garden will serve up the new Stowford Press Mixed Berries cider amongst some of its favourite classics, lovingly crafted in the Herefordshire village of Much Marcle. Managing Director of Westons, Helen Thomas, said: “Supporting this impressive show that puts local artisan food and drink producers on the map is a natural fit for us. We look forward to celebrating the harvest and raising a glass or two with the show visitors.”
Thirsty visitors will also find a delicious selection of local fruit juice from regional producers in the Orchard Pavilion, who’ll also be selling apples, pears and cobnuts alongside preserves.
The rich orchard heritage of the three counties will be celebrated in style with a fantastic Festival of Perry championing the traditional tipple alongside a world record attempt to showcase the most varieties of Perry pear.
Out of the Orchard, McCrindles, Ragged Stone and Olivers will showcase their finest pressed Perries alongside Charles Martell & Son’s Poireau, a vintage pear spirit. There’ll also be tours of the showground’s prized National Collection of Perry Pear Trees.
Savvy shoppers can scoop up a bargain on the Sunday sell-off, when fruit that has been judged in the commercial apples and pears competition in the Orchard Pavilion is auctioned off. It’s the perfect place to pick up a tray of delicious prize-winning fruit.
The Malvern Autumn Show will take place on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th September 2018 at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern. The two-day show celebrates the very best of the great British countryside and the autumn harvest. Much loved celebrity guests will include Carol Klein, Joe Swift, Gyles Brandreth and Jonathan Moseley.
Looking for autumn inspiration why not try Mark Diacono’s Mulled Cider or Valentine Warner’s Alpine Macaroni.
Tickets are on sale now and you can save money by booking your tickets in advance.