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Frequently Asked Questions Index.
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If you can't find an answer to your question feel free use our online contact form
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General Questions
Environmental issues
Location
Access
Disabled Access
Tickets
Group Bookings
Celebrity Chefs and Demonstrations
Shopping Storage
Children
Dogs
Accommodation
Tourist Information / Places to visit / Things to do
Travel by car
Parking
Travel by Public Transport
General Questions about the Festival
Q: Will the Festival be larger than last year's - in terms of visitor and exhibitor numbers?
A: We anticipate having a similar number of exhibitors and hopefully an increase in the number of visitors
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Q: What makes the East Midlands Food and Drink Festival better than other regional festivals?
A: Being the largest regional Food & Drink Festival we have a wider spectrum of exhibitors, a very high quality demonstration theatre and an extremely impressive line up of celebrity chefs. The cost of participating at this event is relatively low in comparison with many other events and ticket prices extremely reasonable particularly as children are admitted free of charge!
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Q: This year's theme is 'Diversity: the food and cultures of the East Midlands' - what proportion of exhibitors / chefs / produce / demonstrations are from the East Midlands?
A: The majority of our exhibitors and produce will be from the East Midlands. Apart from celebrity chefs Clarissa Dickson Wright and Anjum Anand all of the demonstrations in the theatre will be given by East Midlands based people.
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Q: Why hold the Festival in Melton Mowbray?
A: Melton Mowbray has been a centre for trading local produce for over 900 years and remains today a focal point for livestock trading. The town is now referred to as the ‘Rural Capital of Food and Drink’
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Q: What’s so special about local Melton produce?
A: Melton Mowbray has been associated with quality food production for many years. Some specific examples are:
- Stilton cheese, the King of Cheeses, originates from the Melton area and owes its unique flavour to milk from dairy herds grazed on the lush pastures of the Vale of Belvoir. Stilton so named because it was from the village of Stilton on the A1 that it was taken to London on the York stage to become a favourite with the gentry
- The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie is quite distinct from other types of pork pie as it contains fresh pork (rather than cured pork) and is bow-shaped as it is baked without a supporting hoop or tin. The pies were a favoured snack for the gentry when fox hunting and became world renowned as “The” pork pie
- The Melton Hunt cake, rich in fruit and natural goodness has sustained many huntsmen in the field for more than 100 years and remains a favourite cake now consumed around the world
- Real ale produced by traditional methods is still brewed by a number of local independent brewers supplying free-houses in the area that attract connoisseurs to enjoy a variety of traditional ales of varying strengths drawn from original wooden hopped barrels.
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Q: What differentiates this Festival from others around the country?
A: With over 200 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors estimated the Melton event is the largest of its kind. It places an emphasis on small regional specialist food producers wherever possible. It sponsors an annual award and provides preferential rates for new food businesses. It recognises clearly the link between consumption of food and its production and is closely linked with farming to promote that link. As well as educating adults, the festival places huge emphasis on educating children. Last year over 1,500 school children participated in the fourth Children's Food Festival held just before the festival. This year's Children's festival will take place on Wednesday 1st October 2007.
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Q: What if the weather is poor?
A: The vast majority of the Festival will be under cover in two huge marquees on Brooksby Hall’s sports ground.
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Q: What are the opening and closing times of the Festival?
A: We open at 10am and close at 5pm.
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Q: How much time am I likely to be at the festival?
A: Experience suggests that most visitors spend about 6 hours at the festival touring the exhibitors stands and enjoying the cookery demonstrations by personality chefs in the theatre. This year there is now the added benefit of Brooksby Hall. You can however stay as long as you wish adjusting your visit to personal needs. However long or short your visit it should be an enjoyable and interesting experience.
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Environmental issues
Q: What is the Festival's attitude to current environmental concerns, and what action is being taken to address these concerns?
A: The festival recognises a broad range of concerns including global Warming, Carbon Footprint and supporting Local Food producers. Some of the measures being considered and taken include:
- Prioritising and encouraging applications from local producers
- Using reusable non petro-chemical bags etc.
- Wish to provide recycling facilities for stallholders and members of the public, including different receptacles for different waste
- Using local companies for provision of services
- Encouraging local businesses specialising in energy conservation to participate.
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Location
Q: Why is the Festival based at Brooksby Hall?
A: Brooksby Hall offers an exciting dimension to the Festival being situated in the heart of the beautiful Leicestershire countryside just a short distance from Melton Mowbray – the ‘rural’ capital of food. It offers sufficient capacity with additional attractions of its own. The Hall itself is a 16th Century Hunting Lodge steeped in history, with sweeping lawns and gardens, amongst which is the attractive 10th Century St. Michael's Church, all in 850 acres of parkland and farmland.
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Q: How do I find out more about Brooksby Hall?
A: View the link www.brooksbyhall.co.uk
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Q: I want to visit the Festival using my Satellite Navigation. What is the postcode? See later for directions.
A: LE14 2LJ
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Q: How do I to get to Leicestershire?
A: Quickest way for directions is to visit www.goleicestershire.com
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Q: Is there a map or brochure about Melton and the area?
A: Yes. Download a copy of the Melton Mowbray & Vale of Belvoir Visitor Guide from www.goleicestershire.com
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Q: Why should we come to Melton?
A: Melton Mowbray has for centuries been synonymous with Pork Pies and its links with Stilton Cheese. In recent years, its essence has expanded to take advantage of its superb central location to develop a food culture which is unparalleled elsewhere. Farm shops, restaurants and hotels, as well as specialist food retailers, abound in the area.
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Q: I haven't got any transport and cannot get to Brooksby Hall.
A: A minibus shuttle service (15mins - 6 miles) will be available from Melton Mowbray leaving on the hour and on the half hour.
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Q: Can I get into Melton Mowbray from the event?
A: Yes - A minibus shuttle service will be available with buses leaving Brooksby on the hour and on the half hour arriving at the Wilton Road Car Park near the town centre.
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Access
Q: Can I go off site and come back on again.
A: Yes
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Disabled Access
Q: Is the Festival accessible to disabled visitors?
A: The Festival will be fully accessible. The marquees will be floored and the site level throughout. Accessible toilets will be provided. There is designated car parking for blue badge holders.
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Tickets
Q: Do I need a ticket in advance or can I buy one at the door?
A: You can buy one at the door, though advance tickets are cheaper.
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Q: I’m not sure which day I want to come on - can I buy a ticket for any day in advance?
A: Yes – but please note that one ticket allows entry for just one day, not two days.
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Q: Can I buy tickets on line? If so, where from and how do I do it?
A: Yes, you can buy advance tickets for the Festival online. They are available by viewing the following link: http://www.goleicestershire.com. This service is provided by the Leicester Tourist Information Centre (TIC), part of Leicester Shire Promotions Ltd.
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Q: Why should I pay to come in?
A: Events such as this are tremendously expensive to organise. In the face of reducing availability of public funding, it is necessary to make a charge for entry, both to ensure the event's survival as well as to ensure a truly memorable event for those attending. The festival represents excellent value for money.
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Q: Is there a discount for students with a student card?
A: No
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Q: Is there a special rate for one-parent families?
A: No
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Q: Are under 16's free?
A: Yes all children under 16 are free as the festival's aim it to encourage young people to the event.
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Group Bookings
Q: We want to bring a group of visitors to the festival. Are there facilities for groups to park, discounts available for group bookings, accommodation for group bookings?
A: Speak to Helen Bevins, Group Travel Manager at Leicestershire Promotions on 0116 225 4070
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Celebrity Chefs and Demonstrations
Q: What times are the celebrity chefs demonstrating?
A: Theatre timetable will be published on the website.
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Q: Can I reserve or pre book seats for the celebrity demonstrations?
A: Sorry but no. There are a maximum of 400 places on a first come first served basis so perhaps arrive early to avoid disappointment.
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Q: Can we sample food cooked by the celebrity chefs during their demonstrations?
A: Unfortunately legislation does not allow visitors to sample the food.
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Shopping Storage
Q: Is there somewhere safe to leave my shopping whilst I continue to look around?
A: A free “food crèche” - 'shop n drop' manned by Festival staff will be available at the Festival.
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Children
Q: How much do children cost, will there be anything for them to do?
A: The event is free for children. There are animals to see, and activities available on many of the stands with the opportunity for them to taste and experience new foods.
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Q: What else is there for the children within reasonable access and travelling time?
A: Twinlakes – an all weather adventure park in Melton Mowbray about 20 minutes from Brooksby Hall . It has outdoor action for all ages with a vast variety of indoor attractions too! View www.twinlakes.co.uk
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Q: What is the relevance of the Festival to schoolchildren?
A: The Festival enables children to learn more about just where their food comes from. The move to Brooksby Hall has helped facilitate the Children’s Food Festival – remember the school curriculum for 2007/8 was ‘The Year of Food and Farming in Education’. The working farm and facilities at Brooksby Hall will enable children to get close to farm animals, see how crops are grown, how a farm is managed and then see the link to the food chain and food production.
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Q: Is the Festival suitable for children?
A: The festival is very much geared towards all members of the family, irrespective of age or mobility.
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Dogs
Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: Only assistance dogs are permitted. Pet dogs on this occasion are best left at home.
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Accommodation
Q: How can I find out about where to stay near to the festival?
A: visit www.goleicestershire/shortbreaks
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Tourist Information / Places to visit / Things to do
Q: Where can I find out about more local tourist information?
A: Visitor information services are provided in a number of different ways for the visitor providing a choice and variety of options
- visit www.goleicestershire.com and http://www.goleicestershire.com/meltonmowbray/ (for information specific to the Melton area)
- an electronic information touch screen kiosk is available within Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe in Melton Mowbray
- Tourist information points are on display at Melton Mowbray council offices and in Melton town centre (Leicester Street)
- Tourist information is also available at Melton Carnegie Museum and St Mary’s Church in Melton Mowbray
- Leicester Tourist Information Centre
- Download a copy of the Melton Mowbray & Vale of Belvoir Visitor Guide.
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Q: Is there a map or brochure about Melton and the area?
A: View the link http://www.goleicestershire.com/meltonmowbray/ Under highlights, click on Visitor Guide for a viewable guide to Melton Mowbray and the Vale of Belvoir. You may also save this guide in pdf format and choose to print it off to use at home and plan more of your visit or to bring with you.
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Q: What other places can I visit easily within the vicinity whilst at the Festival ?
A: The town of Melton Mowbray has a rich heritage and includes Melton Carnegie Museum, St Mary’s Church, Melton Theatre, Melton Leisure Centre and Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe. The vibrant city of Leicester is also close by. View the link http://www.goleicestershire.com/meltonmowbray/ Also download a copy of the Melton Mowbray & Vale of Belvoir Visitor Guide.
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Q: How can I find out about what else there is to do in Leicestershire?
A: View the link http://www.goleicestershire/shortbreaks.
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Q: I really enjoy food and drink and am very interested in any events that are remotely connected with food and drink. Is there anything else happening within the area / county involving food and drink?
A: Full details available by visiting http://www.goleicestershire.com/shortbreaks/tasteofasia.htm
http://www.goleicestershire.com/foodanddrink/
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Q: I would like to learn more about future food and drink events in the area. How do I register my interest and details?
A: The best place to start is to complete the online registration form by visiting http://www.goleicestershire.com/offers/thedms_offers.asp
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Travel by car
Q: How do I get to Brooksby Hall from Nottingham?
A: Sat Nav LE14 2LJ. Take the A606 from Nottingham direction Melton Mowbray. Five miles out take the A46 for about ten miles and come off at the A607 Cossington Junction and take direction Melton Mowbray. Brooksby Hall is on the left about two miles North.
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Q: How do I get to Brooksby Hall from Leicester?
A: Sat Nav LE14 2LJ. Take the A607 from Leicester to Melton Mowbray. Go straight on at the A46 junction, Brooksby Hall is on the left about two miles North.
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Q: How do I get to Brooksby Hall from the M1 and from Birmingham via M6/M69?
A: Sat Nav LE14 2LJ. Exit the M1 at Junction 21a onto the A46 direction Newark. Continue on the A46 for eight miles until after the fourth roundabout exit onto the A607. Exit onto the A607 for three miles, Brooksby Hall is five miles on the left.
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Q: How do I get to Brooksby Hall from the M1 North?
A: Sat Nav LE14 2LJ. Exit the M1 at Junction 22 and take the A50 direction Leicester. At the roundabout with the A46 take the direction Newark. Continue over three roundabouts exit onto the A607 for three miles. Brooksby Hall is five miles on the left.
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Q: How do I get to Brooksby Hall from the A1 South?
A: Sat Nav LE14 2LJ. Exit the A1 at the junction with the A606 direction Oakham. Take the Oakham bypass to Melton Mowbray. In Melton Mowbray follow the signs to A607 Leicester. Brooksby Hall is six miles on the right.
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Q: How do I get to Brooksby Hall from the A1 North?
A: Sat Nav LE14 2LJ. Exit the A1 at the junction after Grantham signposted A607 Melton Mowbray. Continue for 17 miles into Melton Mowbray. Follow direction to A607 Leicester. Brooksby Hall is 6 miles on the right.
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Parking
Q: Do I have to pay to park my car once I’m at the Festival?
A: No, its entirely free of charge
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Q: Are the car parks miles away from the marquees?
A: No, they are with in a short walk of the marquees, there is disabled car parking for cars displaying the blue badge.
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Travel by Public Transport
Q: I want to travel by train. Which is the nearest rail station I can use? How do I find out about train times? How do I then get to the Festival?
A: Melton Mowbray has a train station on the line between Birmingham (1hr)/Leicester (15min) to Peterborough (40min)/Stansted. London to Melton Mowbray takes a total of 1hr 30mins either from Kings Cross (change Peterborough) or St Pancras (change Leicester). National Rail Enquiries will give you details of train times www.nationalrail.co.uk . A taxi from the station to Brooksby Hall (15-20mins - 6miles) will cost between £9 -£12 and is best booked in advance. Phone numbers of Melton taxi firms are available via Google on the internet. A festival minibus shuttle service (15mins) will run from the Wilton Road Car Par fifteen minutes walk from the Station (see Google Maps) leaving on the hour and on the half hour.
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Q: How do I get there by public transport?
A: For trains see above. The bus from Leicester (St Margaret's Bus Station) to Melton Mowbray stops off at Brooksby Hall. From Nottingham take a bus to Melton Mowbray town centre. Walk ten minutes to the Wilton Road Car Park to take the festival minibus shuttle (15mins - 6miles) leaving on the hour and on the half hour.
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