Bristol Food Connections is back! With an absolute HEAP of amazing community events, pop-up suppers, debates and demos across Bristol for ten days! The full programme of events happening 12th -23rd June can be found here – https://www.bristolfoodconnections.com/whats-on/

BUT if you find the choice a little overwhelming (I personally had to create a spreadsheet – I am a geek!) here are a few of my favourites:

PASSPORTS TO FOOD

It is pretty impossible to keep up with the incredible eating options on offer in Bristol. Never fear, the fab Food Connections team have created something to help! Grab one of the pocket-sized passports and they will act as your ticket to sample tasters and small plates across some 13-15  fab venues across the ten days. Passports are split into three districts:

• Bristol’s Independent District
• Bedminster
• Clifton Village

So you can try some new locals or explore them ALL! I challenge you… 😉

Info page on website: https://www.bristolfoodconnections.com/the-food-passport-is-back/

Link to buy: https://www.bristolfoodconnections.com/events/the-food-passport/

BOOZE

What goes well with food? BOOZE!

I luckily managed to nab some coveted tickets to the Chew Valley wine tour (now sold out unfortunately) – so if you were a keen bean like me and bought a ticket early, come and say hello!! There are however still lots of great sounding booze related events to choose from, including:

@limeburnhill Biodynamic wine tour & tasting:
https://www.bristolfoodconnections.com/events/biodynamic-wine-tour-and-tasting/

@Barley_Wood Orchard tour & cider tasting:
https://www.bristolfoodconnections.com/events/cider-tasting-and-orchard-tour/

@ButcombeBrewery Beer Cruise:
https://www.bristolfoodconnections.com/events/butcombe-beer-cruise/

FEASTS

Head to Colston Hall – this year’s Festival Hub – and you will find food markets, cooking demos, Business Bootcamps and lots more! Fancy a bit of treat, and an extra special way to experience some of Bristol’s food scene, then check out some of the feasts happening in the Colston Hall atrium space:

• Bristol Food Connections and St Paul’s Carnival Present: Our Journey – An Edible Discovery of Caribbean Heritage https://www.bristolfoodconnections.com/events/st-pauls-carnival-presents/
• Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen https://www.bristolfoodconnections.com/events/zoes-ghana-kitchen-x-bristol-food-connections-brunch/
• The Future Food Banquet with Poco and Chefs’ Manifesto (I am particularly looking forward to this one!! 
  https://www.bristolfoodconnections.com/events/the-future-food-banquet-presented-by-poco-and-chefs-manifesto/

BRAIN FOOD (think TED talks all about food!)

There is a diverse programme of expert talks and debates to help us think more consciously about what we eat. Topics range from What is so wrong with palm oil? In what way does food express our intrinsic cultural makeup? And how can we harness the power of a mushroom in all medicinal endeavours? Sure to educate, affirm or perhaps challenge your way of thinking.

All brain food sessions are at this link:
https://www.bristolfoodconnections.com/brain-food/

PASS IT ON

Want to do more to help? The festival coincides with Loneliness Awareness Week (17th-21st June). To give this issue the attention it deserves, they’ve partnered with The Marmalade Trust and launched a scheme called ‘Pass It On’, designed to encourage the public to share recipes, tips, favours, and meals. Take a cake to work to share with your colleagues; invite a neighbour over for a cup of tea; organise a potluck dinner for your local community. 

You can get involved and help spread the word using the hashtag #passitonbristol.

This is additionally supported by Cookpad, the Bristol-based website and app that allows users to upload their recipes where they are accessible to everyone.

All photo credits: Bristol Food Connections team.