Festival aims to put Cornish produce on the map

Producers in Truro are preparing to tempt the tastebuds, said organiser Stewart Girvan

A food festival in Cornwall is aiming to help "put Cornish food and drink on the map," according to its main organiser.

Stewart Girvan said the Truro Food Festival would give the public a flavour of the region's produce.

The free event at Lemon Quay, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday, includes cookery demonstrations and a chance to meet people cooking up a storm.

"It's our opportunity for us to tell our stories", said Canteen founder and chef Ben Quinn, who will be demonstrating his cooking on the festival stage.

Chef Ben Quinn hopes the public will take away ideas as well as produce

He hopes visitors who "experience the demos and everything that's going on here will feel that it's really been good value for money".

Mr Girvan said: "We really try to keep those costs affordable for our producers", adding that they also get help from sponsors.

The five-day event also includes payable workshops where visitors can go on a foraging walk or learn to make sauerkraut or cocktails.

Nick Hemming, the chef and owner of the Heron Inn Malpas near Truro, takes his pop-up The Flaming Chef to food festivals throughout Cornwall where he dishes up fresh fish and is demonstrating his cooking at the show.

Pub chef owner Nick Hemming said good weather was crucial at festivals

He said: "Food festivals are really important. They get the local businesses into the community just to showcase what we're all about.

"We just focus on the great produce that the county has to offer."

Mr Hemming said it was a good opportunity to meet the public, introduce them to producers and demonstrate on stage.

He added "there's no greater feeling" when people come back for more food after visiting the pop-up stall.

Mr Hemming said the weather was also a "crucial key" for people selling their wares at the food festivals in the county.