Held every Wednesday and Saturday
on Truro's Lemon Quay
9am - 4pm
Cornwall’s largest gathering of grassroots producers brought crowds of appreciative food and drink lovers to Lemon Quay for a bustling two day event last week, drawing almost 10,000 visitors. The Big Produce Market brought summer to a triumphant close, hosted by the real heroes of Cornwall’s food story – farmers, growers, bakers, fishmongers, brewers and distillers, with new culinary talent on show in the chef’s demo area. The festival atmosphere was added to with live music from local groups, street entertainment and free face painting.
Highlights included the launch of ‘Spirits of Cornwall’ – a new range of spirits and liqueurs made using local ingredients. Visitors also flocked to try the offerings of other fledgling projects, including Cornish Gouda Company, Padstow Brewing, Yallah Coffee and Cornish Ketchup. Bill Lugg, The Chairman of The Big Produce Market, reflected on the buoyant Cornish food scene on show. “The number of exciting new businesses coming through now is fantastic. It shows that Cornwall not only has outstanding quality when it comes to food and drink, it is also home to innovation and a brave entrepreneurial spirit.”
That spirit was fed over the two days by some mouth-watering street food, including Harry Bartlett’s (@Home World Street Food) fabulous Caribbean Stew, Duck Burgers from The Cornish Duck Company and Ruby June’s delicious offering from the Indian Kitchen. Those with a sweet tooth found it hard to resist the array of cakes from The Cornish Mill and Bakehouse and The Brownie Baker, not to mention a Cornish fudge and ice cream tour de force. Meanwhile fresh, wholesome Cornish fruit and vegetables were supplied by The Cornish Food Box Company and Fox Farm Growers.
In the chef’s demo space, innovation and fresh flavours were also on show. Lee Groves lead off with a delicious fish gumbo, while Fiona Were of Mullion Cove impressed the crowd with three stunning dishes using meat from The Cornish Duck Company.
Matt Vernon of 7th Rise hosted an inspiring rabbit butchery and cooking demonstration in collaboration with supplier Duchy Game, and Ben Quinn’s audience feasted on flatbreads with Nancarrow Lamb. Steven Marsh of The Greenbank served up a summer broth featuring shellfish and brill, whilst Joe Lado from Gwel an Mor stuck to his Spanish roots with a stunning selection of Tapas.
Special thanks must go to Roger (Cornish Duck) and Bill (Primrose Herd) for their hard work, as well as event organiser Louise Dennis, Steve Whittingham of Fodders, Truro, and the fabulous Daphne Skinnard who as usual brought the chef’s tent alive with her witty commentary!
The Big Produce Market will soon be announcing dates for next year, with the promise of a bountiful return to action next spring.