Central Bolton

Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers has declared herself a big fan of Bolton Market following a visit during this year’s Food and Drink Festival celebrations.

Thomasina paid a visit to the award-winning market to check out the local produce on offer, and gave a hand to Joan Farnworth, community health nutritionist from NHS Bolton, in the cookery kitchen.
She then went on to launch the Bank Holiday foodie spectacular with a cookery demo in the Rangemaster Cookery Theatre in Victoria Square.
She said: “Bolton’s lucky because it’s got a great market and the variety of fresh produce on offer is amazing. I never go to shops, I always go to markets because it’s cheaper, there’s more variety and there’s less packaging. I bought pig trotter and ox tongues from the market and it also has the most amazing fruit and veg.”

The four-day festival, organised by Bolton Council and sponsored by Warburtons, Bluemantle and Love Food Hate Waste, featured demos from top celebrity chefs Gino D’Acampo, James Martin and the Hairy Bikers in Victoria Square.

The Hairy Bikers were the main attraction on the second day of the festival. The TV culinary duo - Simon King and Dave Myers – are also big supporters of local markets. They said: “We had a wonderful time at the festival and were delighted to be back this year. Lancashire has amazing local food and the festival provides a great opportunity to showcase a wide range of local produce.”

An estimated 75,000 people - 25,000 more visitors than in 2009 - visited the festival this year and many were drawn in by a speciality market in Victoria Square.

The market featured more than 60 specialist producers, from across the country, with some traders travelling from as far afield as Plymouth.
Revellers were in culinary heaven with a range of produce to choose from, including artisan chocolates; luxury jams; quality gourmet meats; traditional cordials and the finest oils and spices. Cookware, pottery and hand-made soaps were also on offer.

Melanie Good, from the company Cheese, Cheese, Cheese said: “It’s my first festival here and it’s gone really well. The people have been really interested and there’s been a great atmosphere and I’ve sold lots of produce.”

Fiona Sciolti, an artisan chocolatier, added: "It's been fantastic and I'll definitely be back next year. There has been lots of really great foodies here and the level of organisation has been brilliant."
Markets’ expert Arnd Baggen brought tastes from the continent and a Bavarian Bierkeller which sold specialist German brews and wines.