Food and drink producers are being urged to sign up for a new event in Bradford which is expected to bring in thousands of visitors and put the city centre firmly on the “foodie” map.
The Bradford BID Food & Drink Festival is being launched by the city’s new Business Improvement District and will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 9 to 11.
And the BID is calling on the district’s food and drink producers and venues to get involved and book their stalls now before spaces are snapped up.
“We are already renowned as Britain’s capital of curry but we know there is far more to the city’s hospitality and food industry than that suggests,” said BID manager Jonny Noble.
“The Food & Drink Festival will provide a showcase for many of the fine producers of culinary delights around the district and will be a celebration of our independent food culture as well as out thriving and highly-regarded craft brewing scene.
“We hope businesses and venues across the city, from coffee shops to artisan ale makers, from curry houses to cocktail bars will collaborate to bring a taste of our fabulous food scene to a wider audience and help encourage visitors to keep coming back.”
The event will revolve around a central hub in Centenary Square, where there will be hot food and bars as well as a stage showcasing musical performances.
Mr Noble is pictured (right) in Centenary Square with Ollie Reynolds (centre), owner of Pizza Loco in Sunbridgewells, and Bradford-born Paul Ainley, who owns Yorkshire smokehouse The Pickled Porker, who will both be taking stands at the festival.
There will also be a producers’ market with stalls running through Tyrell Street and Hustlergate and along Ivegate and Bank Street.
“These traffic-free areas provide superb locations for visitors to wander around the many stalls we hope to attract while soaking up our historic city centre and its fantastic architecture,” said Mr Noble.
“We want to provide a really fun event that will have something for everyone, from international delicacies to specialist culinary delights and the best local street food.
“We think it will put Bradford on the map for food lovers and, if it goes well, it has the potential to be a highly popular annual event.
“We’d encourage any local food or drink producer who would like to get involved – from farm shops to craft brewers, from gin distillers to tapas chefs, from chutney makers to hog roasters – to get in touch to find out more.
“We want to cater for as many tastes and types of customer as possible and to ensure the event is inclusive while giving as many people as possible the chance to try something new and different.
“Our aim is simply to provide great grub and a great experience for all!”
Anyone who wants to take part should contact the festival team on 07749 984076.
