Food Glorious Food

Every year I write about the fantastic Christchurch Food Festival, this year is no exception. I spent the majority of my weekend drooling over the various food offers on display, or watching experts make complicated looking cooking very simple, that is until I try! Again the kids suitably dressed in aprons of different hues, wielded kitchen knives like experts as they chopped their way through tons of salads and vegetables at the Priory School. Mums and Dads looking on and registering sheer delight at the final culinary productions proudly presented by their kids at the end of the lessons. Simply superb! And all this emanating from a group of dedicated volunteers whose vision some fourteen years ago saw the potential and delivered this unique experience. Oysters featured as did scallops and the usual burger presentations from the huge number of food stalls, I saw more paellas being made than you could shake a stick at and oriental delights from the far East as well as delicacies from the Mediterranean and Middle East. In fact a plethora of international food offering that would grace any cosmopolitan centre in the world, and all in Christchurch! I was completely blown away by the two eighteen year old opera singers performing in Saxon Square the songs from The Phantom prior to their appearing in July at the Regent Centre. This was a goose bumping experience which finished with a cheering crowd expressing their appreciation and admiration for the two brilliant vocalists, so young but so talented. I understand ticket sales at the Regent soared in the few minutes following their performance and I do wish them every success together with much thanks again to the local volunteers who organise these kids and deliver events like the Phantom. Credit also to all the CBC staff who oversee the event and make all the services work and the huge crowds safe. Finally to all the visitors who graced our town and enjoyed the experience, despite there being many varieties of beer, cider and alcohol in general available I heard of no problems requiring action from stewards, no rowdiness just quality people enjoying quality presentations and families enjoying Christchurch at its best. Even better will be next weekend when the 'big bake off' is on for two days at the Quomps. Hope to see many of you there!