SKY-HIGH FINE DINING LAUNCHES TASTE CUMBRIA ULVERSTON

SKY-HIGH FINE DINING LAUNCHES TASTE CUMBRIA ULVERSTON

Lots of laughs and a little fine dining are being planned to enhance the experience for visitors to this year’s Taste Cumbria Ulverston event.

The popular food festival returns to the town on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May.

On the Friday night, 26 May, The Hoad, the town’s famous landmark, will play host to a Michelin-starred pop-up restaurant. Kevin Tickle, of The Forest Side in Grasmere, will cook for just 10 guests, giving them an exclusive dining experience.

Then, on the Saturday night, the team behind Another Fine Fest, Ulverston’s annual multi-arts and music festival will be hosting an open mic competition at the Laurel and Hardy Museum. All aspiring comedians welcome, with free entry for those willing to take to the stage, while guest tickets cost just £5 which are available on the door or in advance via facebook.com/anotherfinefest.

Festival organiser, Anna Lyttle, of CN Events, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to put Taste Cumbria on the map and this year is no exception.

“Using The Hoad as a pop-up restaurant is really exciting – we think this is the first time it’s been done. It’s great that Kevin is up for the challenge – and who wouldn’t want to eat the food of a Michelin-starred chef in such an iconic location.”

Though numbers will be limited this year, it is hoped this will prove to be a showcase for the festival with a full-blown pop-up restaurant at next year’s Taste Cumbria Ulverston event.

Kevin says: “I love a new challenge so cooking in such a unique location is going to be fantastic. We know we can do something very special and the fact this will just be the start of some new and special Taste Cumbria pop-up restaurants in Ulverston is incredibly exciting for all my team.”

Dave Crossley, organiser of Another Fine Fest, added: “It’s great that we are able to offer some Saturday evening entertainment for the large crowds here for Taste Cumbria. We have always enjoyed the festival and since we are both hosting events on the same weekend it makes total sense to partner up. We will certainly be working our way through the fine food and drink on offer throughout town in preparation for our show at the Museum.

“Our comedy competition, which is open to all, will seek the latest and hottest act on the comedy scene with the winner bagging a paid slot at Planet Mirth, Ulverston’s only regular comedy club, as well as a support slot at our evening with Canadian comedy legend Tony Law on Friday 16 June.

“That gig kicks off the Another Fine Fest proceedings and is the only ticketed gig of Another Fine Fest – all other events, shows and workshops are entirely free – there’ll be 11 stages of action for all the family over two days on Saturday and Sunday, 17 & 18 June.”

Taste Cumbria Ulverston, held in association with Cumbria Life, has proved a popular addition to Ulverston’s festival calendar. This is the fourth year of the event and it now attracts around 15,000 visitors each year. This year’s event, which is again supported by Ulverston Town Council, promises to be just as appetising, with around 60 traders in the producers’ market.

The chefs’ demonstration stage will move outside the Laurel and Hardy museum on Brogden Street to give more space for people to sit and see the experts in action. It will also be next to the picnic area so people can tuck in to some local fare or even enjoy a taste of Cumbrian-brewed ale or a glass of fizz as they watch the experts at work. The team from Ford Park will provide plenty of activities to keep the youngest foodies happy, with themed arts and crafts.

There are a few trade stand spaces left for food and drink producers. For more details, visit www.tastecumbria.com or call 01228 612000.