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NEWS Feasts of the Forest D orset is delicious. But the New Forest is pretty tasty too – a food lover’s paradise where you can sample both traditional forest foods and seafood from 40 miles of coastline and where countryside inns sit next to luxury hotels. For too long one of the UK’s best kept foodie secrets, it’s now set for its first ever food and drink festival this autumn, from 31st October to 6th November. This week long celebration will feature a wide range of events, tastings and activities for foodies and their children. Leading Forest restaurants including Chewton Glen, Lime Wood, Careys Manor, the Michelin-starred Montagu Arms and the newly launched Burley Manor are all involved, as well as some of the area’s pubs, market stalls, artisan producers, bakeries and farmers. There are 15 themes, ranging from ‘Tastes of the Forest’ to ‘New Forest Forager’ to ‘Forest Fish & Fruits of our Sea’ – each with signature dishes and producer showcases. Two cross-Forest, free events are also planned. Chair of the New Forest Food & Drink Festival 2016, Anthony Climpson, explains: “The New Forest is one of the most exciting food destinations in the British Isles. Our team of chefs, restaurateurs and producers are all very excited about this celebration of our sensational food – especially in the autumn against the rich canvas of the forest and its riot of reds and golds.” Go to www.thenewforest.co.uk/newforestfoodfest for more details Dorset Food Fortnight Highlights 18 I t’s the return of an event so delicious it couldn’t be contained in a single week. The renamed Dorset Food Fortnight is now 14 days of celebrating the best food and drink in the county, all organised by local food group, Dorset Food & Drink. Starting on Saturday 22nd October and running until Sunday 6th November, it takes in tastings, festivals, demos, producer sessions and a cocktail night. You can find five highlights from the Dorset Food Fortnight on this page. Running alongside Dorset Food Fortnight is Screen Bites, the popular food themed cinema experience, and Feast Weymouth, which is all about dining out and sampling the many places to eat and drink in the historic seaside town. To keep up-to-date with all the latest on Dorset Food Fortnight, be sure to follow on Twitter @dorsetfooddrink and visit the website at: www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/food-and-drink/food-week-and-events/dorset-food-week Dorset Food Fortnight www.menu-dorset.co.uk 1. Wimborne Food & Drink Festival Saturday 22nd October Now in its third year and bigger and better than ever. www.foodevents4u.co.uk 2. Apple Day Washingpool Farm Saturday 22nd October A large selection of local apples, tastings and apple related products on display. Also, Liberty Orchards will have their Porters Perfection Vodka available to taste. 3. Screen Bites 16th - 29th October The food themed film festival features a mini farmers market, a Purbeck Ice Cream interval, then the main film. This year includes Paddington, Haute Cuisine and Blazing Saddles. www.screenbites.co.uk 4. Feast Weymouth 3rd October - 30th November An eight week celebration of local independent eateries featuring exclusive menus and special offers. See page 15. www.weareweymouth.co.uk/ feast-weymouth 5. Bonfire night campfire cooking with Foreadventure 5th November Light a campfire with a flint and forage food to cook on it. www.foreadventure.co.uk