Pies to paella. Food fest announces feast of a line up

Friday 29th August 2008 (ref: 29/8/2008)

One of the delights that restaurants will be cooking up as part of the Wigan Food and Drink Festival.
One of the delights that restaurants will be cooking up as part of the Wigan Food and Drink Festival.

From Thai to a Taste of Lancashire; canapés to curry. These are just some of the delights that Wigan and Leigh restaurants will be cooking up in a mouth watering, 10 - day trail of fantastic food. All part of the second Wigan Food and Drink Festival.

20 of the borough’s top restaurants will be coming together between the 3rd – 13th October to showcase their gastronomic fayre and flair as part of the Wigan Fine Food Trail.

Last year the theme of the festival was ‘Taste and Tradition’, however, organisers of the 2008 festival want to show off the variety of restaurants available in the borough. Diners can this year choose to ‘Taste Britain’ or ‘Taste International’. Or if they’re really hungry, they can try both!

From the famed ‘Babbysyed’ being served up as the festival special in the Crown at Worthington to the continental Paella Especial on the menu at La Casa del Fuego in Leigh.

“There’s something for every taste bud” says Keith Bergman, Tourism Development Manager for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust. “Last year’s inaugural food festival was a huge success but this year’s is promising to be bigger and better”.

“We have twice as many restaurants participating, which is great news. Wigan Borough is regarded as something of a pie capital and although we and the festival celebrate our culinary heritage, we want to promote the fact that we have a quality restaurant sector, with talented chefs at the helm”.

As well as offering great food, restaurant partners will be serving up themed evenings and special offers. The full list of restaurants involved in the 2008 Wigan Food and Drink Festival Fine Food Trail are:

Taste Britain:

  • Aspects at Holland Hall. Upholland.
  • The Crown at Worthington.
  • The Dicconson Arms. Appley Bridge.
  • Haigh Hall. Aspull.
  • High Moor. Wrightington.
  • Harts of Leigh.
  • RBG in the Park Inn Hotel. Leigh.
  • The Ross Arms. Astley.
  • The White Crow. Worthington.
  • The Wiggin Tree. Parbold

Taste International:

  • The Baby Elephant. Gathurst.
  • La Casa del Fuego. Leigh.
  • Francos. Wigan.
  • Gallimores. Wigan.
  • Laureates at Kilhey Court. Worthington.
  • Phoenix. Wigan.
  • Rigalettos. Wigan.
  • Spice Lounge. Wigan.
  • Tiger Blue. Leigh.
  • Tinos. Pennington.

Keith added.

“We are delighted in the enthusiasm shown by all the restaurants involved. They are as committed as us to promoting quality, encouraging visitors and changing the perceptions of the borough”.

The Wigan Food and Drink Festival sponsored by Hitchen Foods, also comprises a programme of 20 events, an expanded Wigan Outdoor Market Kitchen Theatre, Café Culture – a photographic exhibition of cafés in cafés and The Road to Wigan Beer.

“Food and drink has never been so popular. It is now the second most popular hobby behind sport. And I am confident that the 2008 festival will be popular.” Said Keith.

For details of the full programme contact Wigan Tourist Information Centre on 01942 825677 or visit http://www.wlct.org/foodanddrink