When it comes to filling out a brand new Moleskine at the beginning of the year, you can bet your bottom dollar there will be the same set of unmissable events penciled – no sorry, Sharpie-d – in before anything else. Christmas day, my dogs’ birthday and the Liverpool Food and Drink Festival. Pretty much anything else is up for discussion but these three dates-for-the-diary are sacred.
My pooches have just celebrated their birthday and Christmas is still a way off but the Liverpool Food & Drink Festival is just around the corner – little over a week in fact. As has become customary over the past few years, me and mine will be in attendance at some point during the weekend so I’ve done a little bit of social media stalking to find out who is going to be exhibiting for the 2018 edition.
You might remember last year when I put together my LFDF Hit List ahead of the big event and then the LFDF Debrief I did after… well I thought I’d do the same again this year to share some of the vendors I’ve got my hungry eyes set on and then a round-up review after.
That’s the great thing about the Food & Drink Festival – you always leave having delved into something that might not have even been on your radar. Last year we left with some new garden furniture and the year before that, we left with places booked for the Weber Grill Academy BBQ Class at Harthill Cookery School and a newfound penchant for poutine.
So, without further ado, here is my Liverpool Food and Drink Festival 2018 hit list!
FAZENDA – Now I know foodie events like this one are all about showcasing small brands and newcomers to the scene but Fazenda is a popular Liverpool restaurant that I still haven’t been to (in all my 27 years on this planet) so I figure this is as good a chance as any to see what’s on offer. I’ve heard sterling things y’see.
PICNIC – If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you might be aware that I’m making an effort to start incorporating a few more vegetarian and vegan options into my diet where and when I can. With this in mind, I’m going to be making a beeline for Picnic’s Halloumi & Quinoa Wrap with sweet potato fries because who doesn’t want this in their life (and mouth) …
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm_YIZjgvI1/?taken-by=picnicliverpool
CRAZY PEDROS – You already know I love old Pedro and his loco dough-based creations but I’m hoping this will present the perfect opportunity to sink my teeth into the monthly special – ‘Chippy Tea’ which is mushy peas, chips, sausage and curry sauce all dumped on big slice of pizza. Hell to the yessir. Not so vegan.
TREATY PIE – For when the sweet tooth starts to kick in after all that savoury indulgence, Treaty Pie is definitely one of the strongest contenders lined up to satisfy my dessert stomach. I’ve got my fingers, toes and eyes crossed that they’ll be bringing their Fully Loaded Cookies topped with Crème Egg to Sefton Park because I’m not sure I can live another day without trying it.
HARDY’S KITCHEN – I do love the street food style of eating so if I fancy something from this section of the festival then I’ll be heading straight to Hardy’s Big Dub of Love. The Big Dub of Love is a converted VW van normally used for catering weddings and such like but they’re coming to the festival this year and I sincerely hope they’ll be bringing their Cajun Halloumi and Salt ‘n’ Pepper Steak with them.
THOMAS COOKIE CO. – We visited this stall last year and as a result, any other White Chocolate & Macadamia Cookie I ever eat again will never quite match up to this luxurious masterpiece. If I don’t find time to squeeze one in while we’re there, I’ll definitely be taking a batch home. I would be rude not to sample the Peanut Butter Cookie Cup while I’m there too, no?
THE YUMMY YANK – If Crème Egg cookie dough and Peanut Butter Cookie Cups aren’t enough to send me crashing into a sugar coma for the rest of the weekend, you’ll find me propping up the stand at The Yummy Yank. Authentic American desserts handmade right here in the UK and I’m lusting after the Double Banana Loaf Cake and the Butterscotch Caramel Brownie Bar.
THE GIN NEST – I’m going to need something to wash all of that good stuff down with so I’m definitely going to be making the Gin Nest a firm fixture on the agenda. My research tells me they’ll be serving up the Manchester Gin I fell in love with at Mr White’s English Chophouse but I want to checkout The Old Curiosity gin which they’ll be pouring up too.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off out to get an extra hole punched into my belt and purchase a new pair of eating pants in a size up…