TASTINGS, special menus and masterclasses are just some of the delicious events planned for the build up to Winchester Food Festival. 

A Taste of Winchester is a week of foodie events taking place across the Winchester district from Monday, July 8 until Saturday, July 13, ahead of Winchester Food Festival taking place on Sunday, July 14. 

Hampshire Fare is working with Winchester City Council to encourage local food, drink producers, makers and hospitality businesses to take part.

The line-up is growing daily, here’s some of the highlights…

The following all need to be pre-booked via winchesterfoodfestival.co.uk

South Downs Social South Downs Social (Image: Hampshire Fare)

The Royal Logistic Corps Museum is hosting an Ale and Ammo evening on Tuesday, July 9. Join museum director Simon Walmsley for an entertaining talk on the weapons held in the museum’s collection, whilst enjoying locally brewed Winchester Ale from Alfred’s Brewery.

The Cabinet Rooms in Jewry Street is hosting a special cheese and wine evening on Wednesday, July 10. Peter Mason, from the award-winning Book and Bucket Cheese Company in Cranbourne, will be giving guests a guided tasting of his cheeses and the Cabinet Rooms' delicious wines.

On Thursday, July 11, The Myers Touch is hosting a celebratory supper club with Two&One Olive Oil in their kitchen design studio in Kings Worthy. A specially designed tasting menu of Spanish Tapas using locally sourced Hampshire produce will be created by home chef and owner of Two&One Olive Oil, Lola Rubio.

Fancy testing your foodie knowledge? Book a place at the South Downs Social’s Big Fat Food Quiz on Thursday, July 11. This promises to be a fun evening. Round up your team and flex those taste buds, and dive into an evening of tasty trivia to win foodie prizes. All proceeds from the night will go to the Winchester Basics Bank

The team at Piecaramba has created a special A Taste of Winchester pie. Named after their home, the Parchment Street Pie is a super savoury pie made with local organically reared British beef steak and smoked bacon lardons, cooked with pearl onions and mushrooms. It's being served every day during A Taste of Winchester between 12pm and 8.30pm.

There are also some great drop in events happening including Westlea Farm Shop near Alresford. During the week from 9am until 4.30pm they will be holding daily product tastings with a different selection each day.

On Friday, July 12 Butler Country Estates will open their Troutlet in Winnall. Drop in between 4pm and 7pm to taste their wonderful smoked trout pates and fish with a glass of local fizz and find out all about how they smoke their trout.

Royal Logistics Corps Museum Royal Logistics Corps Museum (Image: Hampshire Fare)

What is Winchester Food Festival? 

Hampshire Fare, the county’s food, drink and craft group, is thrilled to announce the return of the Winchester Food Festival after a successful inaugural event last year. 

This culinary extravaganza will take place on Sunday, July 14, in the Outer Close of Winchester Cathedral.

In collaboration with Winchester Business Improvement District and Winchester Cathedral, this year’s festival is free to attend and is a celebration of the finest local produce.

The 2024 Winchester Food Festival will feature an expanded array of stalls, activities for all ages and chef demonstrations. 

New this year, the festival will be preceded by a week-long programme of events from Monday, July 8 to Saturday, July 13 under the umbrella ‘A Taste of Winchester’. 

If your business is interested in becoming a sponsor, email Natasha at Hampshire Fare on natasha.dochniak@hampshirefare.co.uk.