Music, magic and memories are on the menu at this year’s Aylsham Food Festival.

Presented by Slow Food Aylsham, the ever-popular three-day event returns in October (from Friday 5^th to Sunday 7^th October) with a packed weekend of old favourites and family entertainment.

This year, the Festival headliner will be one of Norfolk’s most celebrated chefs, Richard Hughes.

Richard, proprietor and food campaigner will launch the festival at An Evening with Richard Hughes at Aylsham High School on Friday 5 October, when he will talk about his 40 years in the heat of the kitchen – from pot-washer to chef-director of The Assembly House and proprietor of the Richard Hughes Cookery School.

Alongside regular features like the Country Market, Farmers’ Market and Slow Brunch will be Norfolk favourite, folk musician and cartoonist, Tony Hall, plus the walkabout musical act Banana Ukulele Band. As if that wasn’t enough, magician and children’s entertainer, Robbie James, will also be on hand to entertain visitors to the party.

SFA chairman, Patrick Prekopp said: “While the focus of the festival will, of course, be on food and particularly local produce, we want to make people think differently about food. It should be fun and a family affair and we hope to sprinkle a bit of magic and stardust around.”

The programme kicks off a week earlier with a ‘fringe taster’ — Rosie With Cider, on Friday 28 September at the town hall. Father and daughter David and Rosie Warren, from Aylsham, will demonstrate the art of cider-making using a cider press – accompanied by Tony Hall on melodeon.

Bring your own apples for crushing and sample fresh apple juice, or David’s home-made scrumpy, or buy from the barrel. (Starts 6.30pm. Tickets £1 at the door.)

The festival proper starts on Friday morning (6 October) with the weekly Country Market in the town hall where you can sample a wide range of home-baked, home-grown and home-made products.

Later, it’s An Evening with Richard Hughes at Aylsham High School followed by a beef and ale pie supper prepared by the Slow Food group. (6.30 for 7pm; ticket £15.)

On Saturday morning, come and say “Yellow!” to the Banana Ukulele Band as well as jazz from local band, One Foot in the Groove. Both bands will be entertaining visitors to the regular Farmers’ Market in the Market Place, where local chef and Festival favourite Derrol Waller, will be giving one of his popular cookery demonstrations.

Or go inside the town hall where there will be a variety of attractions for both adults and children.

And Saturday evening is devoted to wine tasting. Led by Brian Sullivan from Harper Wells wine merchants of Eaton, you’ll be able to sample a selection of wines and cheeses at the Heritage Centre at 7pm. Tickets £17 per head from the Heritage Centre.

The Big Brunch on Sunday not only features the famous fry-up and the all-you-can-eat Continental buffet, but table magician Robbie James will be there too, so it promises to be an event perfect for all ages.

Catered and served by members of Slow Food Aylsham at the town hall, this family Brunch usually sells out fast, so don’t delay in getting your tickets, at £7 per person.
All tickets available at Barnwells Newsagents in the Market Place or phone 07519 361812.

Watch for updates on www.slowfoodaylsham.org.uk or search ‘Slow Food Aylsham’ on Facebook and Twitter.