By Sue Lancaster
Barnes Food Fair: Great Family Fun
September’s here, the summer’s almost over and the school run’s back in force. Very soon we’ll be piling on the layers, drawing the curtains and snuggling up indoors. But don’t worry about that just yet; there are still some late-summer memories to be made.
The Barnes Food Fair, which takes place on Saturday 20th September, promises to be a fun day out for all the family. Whether you’ve a young toddler, a fussy five-year-old, or a teenager with a taste for junk food, the fair will introduce them (and you) to loads of new and exciting things to eat and drink. I went last year with my hubby and our then-five-month-old in tow, and we will definitely be returning this year now that the little one has found her feet and, more importantly, her appetite.
A big marquee on Barnes Green will be filled with stalls from over 80 artisan food producers, many of whom run shops and restaurants local to Barnes. There will be bread, cakes, chocolate, cheese, olive oils, sauces and lots more. The kids will no doubt love being able to see, smell and taste the various samples on offer and—reminiscent of a big Harvest Festival—it is a fun way to teach them where different foods come from and how they are made.
An outdoor picnic area serving street food such as curry and couscous will be set up outside the marquee. With tables overlooking the pretty Barnes duck pond, it is an idyllic setting for a picnic, and children can enjoy feeding the ducks at the same time. There will be some live music to liven the atmosphere, as well as cooking demos run by professional chefs. If you’re interested in attending a demonstration, it’s advised to book ahead online, as there will be limited tickets available to buy on the day. The chefs confirmed are Phil Howard, Atul Kochhar and Jeremy Lee. In addition to all that, there will be a Kids’ Corner at The OSO, also on the Green, including art and craft, fun activities for all ages and a junior cake competition.
The fair—now in its fourth successful year—is all for a good cause. It’s raising funds for the winter homeless shelter at the Barnes Methodist Church. On between 10am and 5pm, the fair costs only £4 for adults (you can buy tickets on arrival); under-16s go free when accompanied by an adult.
As well as taking in the delights of the marquee, why not make a day of it and participate in the Taste Trail around Barnes Village, visiting all the food retailers you won’t find at the fair? They will be offering special discounts and giving away free samples. It’s a great opportunity to explore the area.
Barnes is served by two train stations (Barnes and Barnes Bridge), plus there are regular buses to and from Hammersmith, where you’ll find the nearest tube station. For more information about the Barnes Food Fair, visit the website or follow their Twitter feed: @barnesfoodfair.
About the author:
An Essex girl, Sue came to London 12 years ago and never left. She moved to West Kensington with her now-husband, then spent a couple of years living in Stamford Brook, before finally settling down in Mortlake. Prior to becoming a mum, Sue worked in TV production. She now stays at home, looking after toddler Tabitha and writing whenever she can.
