A “plethora of fine artisan producers” are bracing themselves for a huge weekend with the return of the eighth Beccles Food and Drink Festival. 

There will be up to 60 stalls offering a range of the finest artisan food and drink products from the local area and across East Anglia. 

Among the produce on offer will be cheese, wine, charcuterie, olives, gin, rum, beer, game and oriental pies, macarons and fudge. Street food vendors will tantalise taste buds with wild boar burgers, Hawaiian poke bowls and chicken satay.    

Based in the centre of Beccles, at New Market, Sheepgate, and in and around St Michael’s Church, the festival runs on May 27 from 10am till 4pm and includes music and children’s entertainment.    

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Crowds enjoying the food and drinks stalls in Sheepgate, BecclesCrowds enjoying the food and drinks stalls in Sheepgate, Beccles (Image: Submitted)

Paul Parravani, the lead organiser of the event, said: “We are so lucky to live in such a naturally beautiful area with the Broads, the coast and a selection of vibrant market towns like Beccles to visit.   

“We hope the plethora of fine artisan producers who support us with a wide range of delicious food and drink products will tempt visitors to our festival and also return to the town in the future.” 

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Suffolk Pate's stall at the Food and Drink FestivalSuffolk Pate's stall at the Food and Drink Festival (Image: Dominic’s Photography)

A new feature this year will be the Local Flavours mobile cookery theatre - sponsored by the Visitor Economy Network Initiative project - offering budding chefs and bakers culinary inspiration from local chefs and students of East Coast College in Lowestoft.

Two weeks of fringe events leading up to the event are also planned, involving a wide range of food and drink-themed activities, menu specials, tours and talks.   

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Mr & Mrs Olive's stall in New MarketMr & Mrs Olive's stall in New Market (Image: Dominic's Photography)

A free park-and-ride shuttle service will run throughout the event from Beccles Quay, where additional parking will be available.   

Updates about the festival will be posted at www.becclesfoodfestival.co.uk, on Facebook and Twitter.

The free-to-attend event is scheduled for Saturday, May 27.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: East Norfolk's Trading Stall at the FestivalEast Norfolk's Trading Stall at the Festival (Image: Dominic's Photography)

Beccles & Bungay Journal: The Cookery Theatre on the Terrace at St. Michael's ChurchThe Cookery Theatre on the Terrace at St. Michael's Church (Image: Dominic's Photography)

Beccles & Bungay Journal: The logo for the 2023 Food and Drink FestivalThe logo for the 2023 Food and Drink Festival (Image: Beccles Food and Drink Festival)