MP visits Petworth's inaugural food festival
Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert gave his support to Petworth's first Food and Wine Festival on Saturday (22 September).
The festival was jointly organised by the Petworth Business Association, Petworth House, National Trust, Petworth Town Council and their Twinning Association.
Mr Herbert visited the stallholders in Market Square, Lombard Street and Golden Square on the first day of the festival.
Councillor Janet Duncton, chairman of the twinning association, introduced the MP to representatives from Petworth's twin towns in France and Italy who had stalls. Visitors from San Quirico D'Orcia showed Mr Herbert how they make one particular type of ‘housewife' pasta by hand, and a stall from Ranville, France, cooked Mr Herbert a traditional Normandy crepe.
Mr Herbert also visited the stall run by Petworth Indian restaurant Meghdoot's. The chefs from Mumbai demonstrated how Naan bread and tikka are made in a traditional tandoor oven. Mr Herbert took the opportunity to speak with the restaurant owner Sanjay Jha to learn more, and sampled the food that was cooked.
The MP then visited a number of shops in Petworth and spoke to proprietors.
Jackie Tudor, Chairman of the Petworth Business Association said, "We are grateful to Nick Herbert for his tremendous support at our first food and wine festival, and for his encouragement to new businesses.
"The inaugural festival was a great achievement and proves that the combined effort of organisations working together can create such a successful event.
"We would like to thank Nick Herbert, Lord Egremont, Spirit FM, McCarthy & Stone, and Fine Sussex for their support."
Following the visit, Nick Herbert said: "Saturday's beautiful weather was a perfect day to visit Petworth and its first food and wine festival. I hugely enjoyed visiting the stalls, and it was good to see people being attracted to the town and local produce being showcased.
"I imagine that Sunday was a bit more challenging in the rain, but I hope nonetheless that the festival will be held next year and go from strength to strength."
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