Foodie fun for young

From the Banbury Cake, first published Saturday 14th Jul 2007.

CELEBRITY chef Raymond Blanc will be one of many culinary experts giving youngsters a taste of great food at this weekend's Children's Food Festival.

The event, taking place at Abingdon Airfield, will also be attended by chef Antony Carluccio, food writer Sophie Grigson, best-selling children's food writer Annabel Karmel and Nora Sands - Jamie Oliver's right-hand woman who appeared on the TV programme Jamie's School Dinners .

The festival - which proved such a popular idea that organisers changed its venue to accommodate the large numbers expected to attend - aims to give children an insight into how fun cooking and food can be.

Oxfordshire residents M Blanc and Ms Grigson are joint patrons of the festival.

Ms Grigson said: "It's such an exciting idea that I just had to be involved.

"Just imagine it - every aspect of this festival will be aimed at a young audience. It simply can't fail."

M Blanc said the festival was the outcome of a new trend in Britain, a new consciousness about food and the desire to engage in the issues food raised.

Chefs from leading children's cookery schools will be at the event, together with various local companies including Rowse Honey, of Wallingford, and Millets Farm Shop, of Frilford.

Children will also be able to follow ingredients from "field to fork" in a number of differently-themed tents and see for themselves how sausages are made, how butter is churned, how smoothies are created and how chapatis are rolled. They will also be able to see pasta being made and taste a wide variety of foods.

There will be an international flavour to the festival too, with food such as Mexican, Thai, Egyptian and Caribbean on offer as well as organic and fairtrade produce at the farmers' market.

The festival takes place today and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Entrance is free and pre-booking is not necessary. Car parking costs £6 per car. Shuttle buses will be running from Stratton Way, Abingdon, and from Didcot Parkway rail station.

Attractions on offer include: