05 March 2007

Leading food writer Sophie Grigson, and John Campbell, Executive Chef of Michelin-starred The Vineyard at Stockcross will be sampling the finest Flavours of the Thames Valley on Wednesday 14 March.

Flavours of the Thames Valley is a local food trade show at Chieveley Village Hall, near Newbury. “This is a unique opportunity for chefs, restaurateurs, foodservice suppliers and local shop retailers to come and meet producers from the Thames Valley,” says Tamara Schiopu, co-ordinator of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes, and Oxfordshire Food Groups.

“I’m delighted that John Campbell from The Vineyard at Stockcross and Sophie Grigson are joining us. John’s reputation for tasty and spectacular food is renowned, and his second Michelin star is well-deserved. Sophie will be signing her book Vegetables – the definitive guide to cooking and eating which puts humble vegetables definitely centre-stage,” says Tamara.

“We’re welcoming more than 20 exhibitors including: a’Beckett's vineyard from Wiltshire, award-winning Shaken Oak Mustards from Oxfordshire, Speciality Breads from Buckinghamshire, Simon Martin’s free-range, rare breed meat from Hampshire, and Susie’s Preserves from Berkshire. It will be a great display of a wide variety of produce including breads, cheeses, preserves, sauces, wines and meat – really showcasing the Flavours of the Thames Valley.”

The trade show starts at 10:30 am and entrance is free if you book in advance, or £5 on the door.

Flavours of the Thames Valley is sponsored by West Berkshire Council, Reading Borough Council and Bracknell Forest Borough Council, with support from the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Community Council for Berkshire and South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).