food news in 2009...
Our local farmers and food producers make a wide range of fabulous Cumbrian specialities and delicacies. Martin and Cecilia at www.artisan-food.com are local Cumbrian foodies and each month they will provide you with a guide to what's new and what's happening in Cumbria's food and drink circles. Martin has been writing food news for Golakes for the past twelve months and this year hands over to his wife Cecilia to inspire us with the Cumbrian food offer. We have a library of foodie articles for you to enjoy in addition to our monthly stories below.
Local producers, events and stories
Stories and news in December
Cumbria delivers plenty at Christmas, in the shape of wonderful scenery as well as seasonal fare. Pick up your festive specialities at one of the Farmers Markets, or order a Cumbrian hamper for a great edible Christmas gift. For a day out, Holker Hall serves and sells seasonal foods, or visit our amazing Tebay motorway services, who recently won a top gastronomy award.
christmas at holker farmers markets
christmas hampers tebay wins gastronomy award
Stories and news in November
Bread Matters,is now out in paper-back. Cumbria looks set to become the home of the world's hottest chilli. Michelin star restaurant Sharrow Bay, have launched a range of Cumbrian soups and casseroles to be sold through shops. Finally, if you want some inspiration for your Christmas dinner, book a cooking course from one of the county's fantastic cookery course providers.
new bread book michelin star food range
christmas cookery world's hottest chilli
Stories and news in August
At Low Sizergh Barn outside Kendal, you can buy fantastic seasonal vegetables grown onsite by the social enterprise Growing Well. Or try preserves made by Jane Maggs at Wild and Fruitful, who uses fruits and berries from nearby gardens and hedgerows. For a true summer event, don't miss the second annual Chilli Fest.
locally and organically grown second spicy chilli fest
passion for local fruits eating al fresco
Stories and news in July
Enjoy a champagne cruise on Ullswater, organised by Annette and Sharrow Bay. Visit the 'new' good café food, Café West in Whitehaven, run by a charity for young people with learning disabilities. Try recently award winning Chocolate Orange Curd from Friendly Food & Drink or this year's top Traditional Cumberland sausage from B.McKay's in Ulverston.
cafe with a difference cumbria's own foodie OBE
cruise ullswater sipping champagne food prize winners
Stories and news in June
June is a month of great seasonal food in Cumbria particularly, the spring lamb starts to be sold, and we have some fantastic local organic producers of this delicacy. Also, Cumbria produces some truly outstanding new potatoes. Don't miss the Fell Gather festival in Cockermouth on June 13, and if you want to learn more about Cumbrian food, there are a couple of good new guide books out now.
potatoes in heaven a celebration of the taste of cumbria
guides to cumbrian foods a taste of organic spring lamb
Stories and news in May
May is a great month for foodies to visit Cumbria - with several great events on, from the very exotic Keswick Mountain Festival kick-off dinner at the summit of Latrigg, to more traditional food festivals, including the brand new Kendal Country Fest and Holker Garden Festival. And if you enjoy fishing, don't miss the week-long fishing festival, the first ever in the Lakes.
mountain top meal fishing festival
holker garden festival country fest
Stories and news in April
Spring time is lambing time in Cumbria, and the county's favourite lamb is the hardy Herdwick. If you have a sweeter tooth, visit one of our many producers of hand made chocolates for some exclusive Easter eggs. Damsons are the other seasonal special, celebrated on April 18. Or try foraging for fragrant wild garlic and making a spring soup.
damson day easter chocolate
herdwick lamb wild garlic soup
Stories and news in March
Microbrewery number 25 has just started producing, and in a few weeks the public can vote for their favourite ale in the Cumbria Microbrewery Challenge. Holker Farm Dairy produces the county's only rind washed fresh ewe's milk cheese and Tebay Services open Butcher's counters in their farm shops.
ewe's cheese microbrewery challenge
annette gibbons tebay butcher's counter
Stories and news in February
The Jumble Room is one of Lakeland's most popular restaurants and guests can now enjoy owners Andy and Chrissy Hill's hospitality in their new B&B at Randy Pike. Grange Bakery produces organic and non-organic breads which are growing in popularity around the South Lakes. In February results of this year's Original Marmalade Competition will be on show at Dalemain House.
randy pike marmalade competition
grange bakery beer & live music
Stories and news in January
Winter is the perfect time for a warming cup of tea, and Gillams tea rooms in Ulverston offers the traditional tea experience coupled with great freshly made vegetarian food. Or why not cook your own hearty Cumbrian Tatie Pot. If you want to create your own meal from scratch, visit Bessy Beck Trout Farm and catch a lovely fish (or buy one from the shop).
gillams tea rooms food trails
cumbrian tatie pot bessy beck
