Over the weekend of the 29th to 31st of August, 2014 The Big Feastival descended onto Alex James' farm in the Cotswolds (you know... Alex James from the band Blur?! Swoon!). This was THE place to be for great food, terrific music, and an amazing family atmosphere.
Couva Coffee Couture had the pleasure of having a space in the "Small Producers" area, an edited collection of some of the finest products and produce that the UK has to offer.
We were surrounded by so many wonderful people and products, it was hard not to spend the whole weekend shopping!
We had the pleasure of having some lovely neighbours for the weekend... East Court Manor are specialty sour dough bread producers. They offer bread making courses at their Manor, as well as offering bread making kits from their website. Over the weekend, there was lots of interest in their tried-and-true Sourdough Starter, as well as their bread making kits. It probably helped that they had 2 little cuties helping with their sales!
Although they weren't selling bread this weekend, a little birdie told me that they can be found at Farmer's Markets around Kent selling their gorgeous breads and famous cheese toasties! Lots of wonderful info available on their website, including some really yummy recipes - I'm personally going to give the bagels a try!
Eat Toast Dunk Me were a firm feastival favourite... I mean, who wouldn't love a delectable hot toasted gourmet marshmallow?! With her grill at the ready, Hazel spent the weekend toasting up the most gorgeous, handmade marshmallows you've ever tasted. And did I mention the flavours?
Gooseberry fool with Elderflower, Rosewater & Cardamom, Toffee apple, Rhubard & Custard, and Chocolate (a Couva favourite!).
Seriously, when the Chocolate marshmallows were toasted, they were just to die for... Crispy, slightly charred edges, a burst of bitter cocoa on the outside, and soft, warm and gooey chocolate heaven on the inside!
And they make the perfect addition to a big mug of amazing hot chocolate.
Watch this space - recipe coming soon!
They can be found at Selfridges or on their webshop. Check them out - you won't be disappointed!
We also had the pleasure of meeting the folks at Bird & Wild coffee. This delectable brew is naturally grown under the rainforest canopy, which offers a natural haven for birds and other wildlife.
But what is so special about growing coffee under the shade of the canopy of the rainforest you ask? The key is that the coffee farms maintain a dense variety of trees which offer shelter and food for the surrounding wildlife.In terms of flavour development and the growth of the beans, the shade of the trees allow the coffee cherries to grow and ripen more slowly so that the coffee develops a more complex and distinctive flavour. In addition, it contributes to a more sustainable ecosystem by supporting healthy soil, pollination, pest control, and water conservation.
All of their coffees are 100% organic, and are roasted in small batches to ensure that the best of the flavours really come through. And did I mention that they have received a coveted Taste Gold award?! You can buy them online here.
We also really loved meeting the lively bunch at Propercorn, producers of some of the yummiest hand popped flavoured popcorn we've ever tasted. It comes in some really scrummy flavours: Lightly Sea Salted, Fiery Worcester Sauce & Sundried Tomato, Sour Cream & Chive, Sweet & Salty (my fave!!), and Sweet Coconut & Vanilla . I honestly think that my son ate his bodyweight in the samples of Sour Cream & Chive! (sorry about that guys!).
Not only was their product super delicious, but you couldn't have met a more enthusiastic, lively, fun bunch of people - I think their popcorn shirts helped a little! You can find their lovely products all over the place, and check them out online.
We also were really happy to get to know Helen who was representing Fussells Fine Foods. They offer a range of delicious products based on their award-winning rapeseed oil. Salad dressings, mayonnaises, oil blends... all were so yummy!
And the lovely Hellen has a great food blog showcasing the best of the West Country: hellsbellesbites.com. Check it out - you won't be sorry!
Aside from all of the lovely people we met and products we sampled, the Feastival was a great experience. As a complete music festival newbie, this was a complete eye opener for me. The atmosphere was really relaxed, the people were so friendly, and there was so much to see and do for people of all ages.
There were loads of things to do to keep Feastival-goers of all ages entertained. The Little Dude's Den was great fun - lots of activities for the little ones, terrific samples of yummy new products, and a massive Lego tent. For those who were there for the food, the offerings didn't disappoint. Everywhere you looked there were amazing delicacies on offer: handmade pastas, gorgeous drinks, gourmet hotdogs, offerings from the family of Jamie Oliver restaurants... you name it, it was there!
Although we didn't have the honour of meeting Mr. Oliver or Mr. James in person, we did get to spot them from afar. Maybe next time they could do a walkabout to visit the "little people"?!
The Big Feastival will definitely be on our list of things to do for next year!
Now we need to focus on our next show - Taste of London Winter. It takes place at Tobacco Dock in London from November 20th to 23rd. Hope to see you there!
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