Kids sliding down the castle hill in cardboard boxes at Abergavenny - loved it

Everyone loves Abergavenny. Touted as one of the best food festivals for very serious food lovers such as us, I don’t know why it took me so long to get there.

Abergavenny (or in local speak Aber-gaa-veiny) is a sleepy town in Wales, and home to two of the best restaurants in Wales and – I have been told and am yet to eat at either – the UK generally: The Walnut Tree and The Hardwick.

Giving the New Voices Masterclass with James Ramsden at Abergavenny

The festival was charming. Gentle corporate sponsorship that didn’t interfere with proceedings supported it. It was rich with masterclasses from the likes of Bill Granger, Angela Hartnett, Fergus Henderson, Lucas Hollweg, Henry Harris, Richard Bertinet, Signe Johansen, Trina Hahnemann, James Ramsden and lil ole me. I made lots of blaas – literally hundreds – and homemade butter from raw cream. I loved it. What brilliant company too, I had to pinch myself.

Highlights for me were:

The Radio 4 Food Programme

Food Quiz from the Radio 4 Food Programme

Entente Cordiale from Richard Bertinet & Henry Harris

The Nordic Terroir with Trina Hahnemann and Signe Johansen

Antics at the castle at Abergavenny

The G & Teas from the Rare Tea Company and Sipsmith

Rude Health Rants - I did one too

Terrific Light Masala Dosa from Café Spice Namaste

Great hat

Angela Hartnett at her Taste of Home Masterclass

The Dr Henderson - ultimate hangover cure - from Fergus Henderson

Amazing stripes action from Fergus Henderson

Hangover Cures – Fergus Henderson, Shaun Hill and Chris Hirst

Fig Tart from The Secret Larder at Dewsall Yurt Village

Scouting Shenanigans

Down to Earth – Jane Baxter and Lucas Hollweg