KarenWe spent some time down at the Bolton Food and Drink Festival last weekend, and you may have seen some of my social media coverage about it on Saturday and Sunday. I ambled around the stalls and took a peek at the magnificent setting for The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, but I needed to be at my son’s football tournament on the Sunday. So I was more than a little bit jealous to hand over the blog reins to my mum for the day. She represented That Lancashire Lass by attending a prosecco afternoon tea with none other than Ainsley Harriott! Oh the sacrifices she makes for me!
So I’ll hand you over to my mum to tell you how her afternoon went…
Bolton Food and Drink Festival this year offered some great opportunities to sample culinary delights and entertainment from an array of celebrities which included chef, tv presenter & entertainer Ainsley Harriott. Probably best known for his BBC cooking shows Cant Cook, Won’t Cook & Ready Steady Cook, Ainsley went on to step out on the Strictly dance floor adding yet another string to his bow.
I was lucky enough to see him at the Bolton food & drink festival this year as he entertained us all with afternoon tea which was provided by Slattery’s cake makers and decorators based in Prestwich, and Aldi supermarkets who supplied the prosecco which perfectly matched the exquisite sandwiches, wraps & cakes which were absolutely mouthwatering. Not a place to be if you’re counting the calories!
As Ainsley worked the crowd like the true pro he is, you got a sense of his typically friendly nature while he skipped and almost danced through the rafts of tables in the great marquee. Ainsley chatted to all who wanted to ask a question, grab a selfie or just a sneaky hug from this delightfully entertaining man. You could be forgiven for thinking you were attending a comedy night at times as no-one could fail to see the funny side of his sometimes suggestive one liners and jokes.
His ‘accomplices’ on stage were cake diva Rosie Dummer, who is also known for her status as the first woman helicopter pilot in the army, Alana Spencer who was winner of ‘The Apprentice’ in December and has Lord Sugar as an investor in her food business (aptly named, ‘Ridiculously Rich by Alana’), and 2012 Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite who made a tray of lovely chocolate brownies in between all 3 of the celebrities being asked various question by the engaged audience.
If there’s one thing I’ll take away from this afternoon its a memory if a very cheeky broad smile from a delightfully warm and funny chef. Well that and a few extra pounds around the waist!
To find out more about Bolton Food and Drink Festival, head over to their website here.
I do love the food festival and the afternoon tea here looks delicious!! I wish we’d gone on the Sunday now but we were a bit tired out from the drive back from Devon. Next time!
Awww that sounds awesome – what a great experience. I bet your mum is delighted!