Royal Walkers
If you’re already a fan of Walkers’ Thistle Rounds, Highlanders and Shortbread Fingers, you won’t be surprised that this family-run bakery has been awarded its second Royal Warrant. This time it’s from the Queen for the supply of shortbread to the Royal Household (the first was for its Scottish oatcakes). Walkers has been operating from its Speyside headquarters for over a century, sole bakery amongst a string of Whisky distillers – the very definition of heaven, some might say.
For details visit walkersshortbread.com/uk
365 Chefs for Charity
ChariTable, the restaurant booking platform that raises funds for UK registered charities (£1 for every diner goes straight to charity), is publishing a cookbook. 365 Chefs for Charity features the signature dishes of 365 leading UK chefs (inc Tom Kerridge, Adam Byatt, Ken Hom and Jason Atherton) and will help raise further funds.
365 Chefs for Charity, £40 inc a £5 donation to thr charity of the buyer’s choice. Visit charitablebookings.org/recipebook
Pure linen
A new collection of pure linen tablecloths and napkins in light summery stripes, neutrals or floral patterns. Great for al fresco dining. Toning colour ranges allow you to mix and match to achieve a stylish bohemian look
Table linen from £13.60 for a set of two linen napkins available www.bohzaar.co.uk
Five of the best… summer food festivals
Port Eliot Festival
Literature and food in the glorious surroundings of Port Eliot on the Cornish coast (above). This year’s culinary offerings include talks by author Tom Parker Bowles, Aaron Bertelsen, chef and gardener from Great Dixter, Katy Davidson, the Oyster Lady of Newquay, Wahaca’s Thomasina Miers and writer and restauranteur Russel Norman.
27-30 July, Port Eliot Estate, St Germans, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 5ND, porteliotfestival.com
Blenheim Palace Food Festival
Set in the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace (Entry to the food festival is included in the admission ticket to the Palace), this year’s food event features local food and drink producers plus appearances by Jean-Christophe Novelli and neighbouring chef, Raymond Blanc
27-29 May, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock Oxfordshire OX20 1PP, fantasticbritishfoodfestivals.com/blenheim.html
West Dean Chilli Festival
Serious chilli-heads flock to this super-hot event which celebrates everything chilli. Live Latin music, 141 stalls offering chilli gifts, plants, seeds and produce, pop-up restaurant and children’s cookery workshops
11-13 August, West Dean Gardens, West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0RX, tel 01243 811301, westdean.org.uk
Taste Angus
Fifth year of the food fair set in the grounds of 17th century Glamis Castle, childhood home to the Queen Mother. Local producers, artisan food. Guest celeb is the Great British Bake-Off winner Candice Brown. Expect cakes.
19-20 August, Glamis Castle DD8 1RJ, glamis-castle.co.uk
Hampshire Food Festival
A month’s worth of county-wide culinary excitement, in the form of farm, vineyard and distillery tours, pop-up restaurants, cookery classes, produce markets. This year’s guest speakers inc 2016 MasterChef winner, Jane Devonshire and contestant Juanita Hennessey
1-31 July, for venues visit hampshirefare.co.uk/food-festival
