By Nikki Bayley
Britain used to be infamous for its grim grub; bad food was almost always on the menu wherever you went. But our relatively new-found fascination with TV chefs, food provenance and all things free-range, Fair Trade and organic has turned things around. Now British cooking has respect around the world. Celebrate all that's delicious this summer with our favourite British food festivals.
Copyright Nikki Bayley
Grillstock
When: 30 June - 1 July
Where: Bristol Harbourside
What: The superbly-named Grillstock is back with another weekend of meat, music and mayhem in Bristol. Combining bands and barbecues is clearly an excellent idea. You can see 24 teams from across the globe battling it out for the 'King of the Grill' crown, bands including Alabama 3 will be playing on stage and you can compete in a chilli-eating contest and learn mad BBQ skills at the Grillstock Academy.
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Taste of Edinbugh
When: 6 - 8 July
Where: The Meadows
What: The Taste events celebrate local restaurants and food and wine suppliers by bringing them all together so you can try them out for less. The Fabulous Baker Boys and Lloyd Grossman head up the celeb count this year, and you can try food from 16 of Scotland's coolest restaurants. The Country Kitchen will be jam-packed with goodies from Orkney and Lanarkshire, and you can pick up top chef tips at the various cooking classes and Taste Theatre sessions.
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Gloucester Quays Food Festival
When: 20 – 22 July
Where: Gloucester Quays
What: This free three-day festival of food is packed with celeb chefs, including James Martin, Phil Vickery and Gino D'Acampo. You can watch (and taste) the cookery demonstrations as well as fill up on food at over 60 different stalls. Music, workshops and book-signings a-plenty are also on offer.
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The Big Cheese
When: 27 - 29 July
Where: Owain Glyndwr Playing Fields, Caerphilly
What: Not just cheese - although, you may have guessed, the local hero Caerphilly will be celebrated here - this is a weekend of living history with performers, storytellers, troubadours and other wonderful Welsh traditions. There's a huge food and drink market with everything from locally-brewed ales to cupcakes, cider, chutney and cheese, cheese and more cheese. Kids (big and small) will love the falconry and medieval battle re-enactment arena.
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[Related feature: Top 10 local foods]
Kingston Food Festival
When: 6 - 12 August
Where: Kingston-Upon-Thames
What: A week of delicious and mostly free activities for all the family. Kicking off with a mix-off cocktail contest, there's a two-day market celebrating great local suppliers, a free food trail that you follow around town chomping your way from restaurant to restaurant, and you can pick up lots of insider know-how at the live food shows, tasting events and master classes.
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Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival
When: 9 - 12 August
Where: St George's Square
What: Back for its 11th year, this free food festival showcases everything from farm shops to gastro pubs, local cheesemakers, and award-winning butchers. You can learn how to perfect your technique on anything from frosting a cupcake to whipping up mouthwatering Indian food at the demonstrations and master classes. Live music, children-only sessions, plus circus skills and balloon modeling make it a great family day out too.
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Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
When: 18 - 19 August
Where: Fighting Cocks Crossroads, Sandown
What: One of the UKs most legendary food festivals, now in its 26th year, the IoW Garlic Festival is the only place to be for the chance to sample everything from garlic beer to garlic ice cream, all on the same day. Of course, there are plenty of non-garlic things to try too, but garlic-lovers will be heaven in the Garlic Marquee. This is a great family day too, with entertainment from an escapologist, a miniature railway to ride and the world-famous 'Vander's Wheel of Death'. Jamie Oliver's mates Dodgy are playing too.
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The Big Onion
When: 25 August
Where: Elveden Walled garden, East Anglia
What: Elveden grow around 25,000 tonnes of onions each year, which makes it the perfect place for an onion festival. But don't worry - it's not just onions, there are plenty of other East Anglian produce on offer from pies and chocolate to lager and wine. Cookery demos will be happening all day, so you can pick up chef-tips from culinary greats like Peter McBurnie, who catered Prince Charles and Diana's wedding. Take a break from eating to burn off calories, dancing to local bands.
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