FOOD & DRINK
CROYDON FOOD FESTIVAL 2016 A new look and new name for the popular foodie event
T
he Croydon Food Festival - the biggest foodie event in London’s biggest borough - will be back with a new name and an even more ambitious programme for 2016. Ten thousand people flocked to the famous South Croydon Restaurant Quarter in South End last summer to enjoy a delicious smorgasbord of food, fun, live music and entertainment, served up by a record number of over 70 traders. This year, to better reflect the growing popularity and importance of the event across the borough, it is being renamed from the South End Food Festival to the Croydon Food Festival. And the organisers, the South Croydon Business Association (SCBA), say there are many unique opportunities for sponsors to support this premier local event. “The festival is now the biggest food event in Croydon, attracting businesses and foodies to the Restaurant Quarter from right across the borough and beyond,” said Linda Arthur, Chairperson of the SCBA. “So we felt the time was right to change its name to reflect this, and to acknowledge the increasing support we receive from many food related companies across the borough, who all benefit from the business opportunity the event creates.”
Linda, owner of South End cocktail bar, Bar Txt, added: “The 2015 food festival was such a fantastic success, thanks to the support of the public, the traders and our wonderful sponsors from right across the borough, who helped to make the day so special. “We are already planning the 2016 event, which is set to be bigger and better than ever. There are amazing opportunities for businesses to sponsor the festival. So I would urge you to get in touch now if you want to be involved in one of the biggest events in Croydon in 2016.” The major sponsors for 2015 included Bagatti’s Restaurant, Barratt Homes, London Borough of Croydon and Croydon Partnership, Malcolm John Restaurants, Lidl, Quantum, and Veolia Environmental Services. Many of the record number of 74 traders – including top South End restaurants like Bagatti’s and Brasserie Vacherin - either sold out or reported record trade on a fabulous sunny festival day last June. Visitors to the 2016 festival will once again be able to enjoy al fresco dining and quality international cuisine, summer cocktails and dancing to live music across two stages, plus fabulous street entertainment, and, of course, the famous cookery demos on the Kitchen Theatre Stage.
One of the highlights of the 2015 event was the ‘Battle of the Malcolms’ on the Kitchen Theatre stage, with Chef-Patron Malcolm John of Brasserie Vacherin and Malcolm Ozwaldo, Head Chef of Peter Bagatti’s Italian Restaurant, competing in a ‘cook-off.’ Malcolm John, a SCBA committee member, said the success of the food festival proved beyond doubt that Croydon has “brilliant restaurants with amazing food.” The 2015 Festival was formally opened by Mayor of Croydon Patricia Hay-Justice. Demonstrations on the fully equipped Kitchen Theatre Stage were hosted by restaurants: Brasserie Vacherin, Olde Goa, Jam ‘N’ Jerk, Uncle Lim’s Kitchen and Quantum with Peter Bagatti. The live music line-up included Da Groovestation, Meyers Jazz Quartet, and Celtic folk rockers Homebrood. Run by SCBA, the other major sponsors include Bagatti’s Restaurant, Barratt Homes, London Borough of Croydon and Croydon Partnership, Malcolm John Restaurants, Lidl, Quantum, and Veolia Environmental Services. For more information about the 2016 Croydon Food Festival – including sponsorship opportunities – contact Katharine Glass at kglass@wlcreative.org.uk or call 020 87265 7968.
www.croydonrestaurantquarter.co.uk
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