Oadby Food Festival to showcase borough’s rich international food offering and celebrate local community
Published: Friday, 23 August 2024
A brand-new food festival is coming to Leicestershire on Saturday 31 August, bringing exciting local food vendors and entertainment to The Parade, Oadby.
Come along from 12pm – 4pm to enjoy food from local favourites, including artisan offerings from Wigston Deli, tempting vegan street food from Dhil’s Eats, mouth-watering cookies from Butter Brûlée, authentic Indian fare from Chilli Guys and tasty pizzas and cobs from Dickie’s Café.
Attendees can also enjoy some free tasters and samples from businesses on The Parade, and an afternoon of entertainment, including the Harborough FM stage, free face painting and an appearance by Percy Pig from the M&S Foodhall.
The festival is also playing host to a baking competition, with top prizes up for grabs from local businesses, including a pair of designer sunglasses from S.I. Opticals in Oadby for the winner, and further prizes from Life On Pointe, The Joy of Chocolate and Jenno’s Coffee House.
Anyone who would like to enter the competition should bring their best bake to Oadby House, The Parade, from 12pm – 1.45pm on 31 August, with a clear list of ingredients and allergens, for expert judging to take place at 2pm.
A junior competition will also be held on the day, offering budding bakers aged 8-15 the chance to decorate their own mini cakes to take away – and win a selection of treats from Bru Oadby! The junior competition will be running every 30 minutes from 12pm – 3.30pm, and anyone who would like to enter should register on the day at the Churches Together In Oadby stall, outside Oadby House.
Local community and faith groups will also be in attendance to share information about their work and local offer, alongside craft and wellbeing stalls. There will also be tables and benches for visitors to sit and enjoy their treats and socialise.
The festival is being organised by Oadby & Wigston Borough Council (OWBC) in partnership with Visit Leicester as part of Oadby & Wigston’s Taste The Place campaign. Led by Visit Leicester, Taste the Place is a Leicestershire-wide campaign to highlight the county’s rich culinary offerings.
Deputy Leader of OWBC, Councillor Lee Bentley said: "The Oadby Food Festival is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the wealth of diversity in our borough’s cuisine, and give a platform to our talented local businesses.
“The festival also sees the launch of Taste The Place’s ‘The World On A Plate’ campaign in Oadby & Wigston, and this really is an excellent chance to show off the wonderful international food offering our borough is home to.
“I really encourage everyone to come out and discover what is available in Oadby & Wigston - and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment celebrating our local community.”
Mike Denby, Place Marketing Director for Visit Leicester said: “We are delighted to support the first ever Oadby Food Festival through our Taste the Place campaign. Leicester and Leicestershire are packed full of fantastic food producers, restaurants, cafés and pubs and our campaign aims to showcase these fantastic independent businesses. Seeing the wide variety of food and drink in Oadby & Wigston just cements the sheer quality of Leicestershire’s offer.”
This event was funded by the UK Government.