Plums, Cider and Cheeses
Seasonal Foods and Food Festivals in September

Holidays are coming to an end, school starts again and there's suddenly too much football on TV, but September is still a real good month for food fresh from the garden.

Many of my favourite foods are really good now:

Apples, plums, pears and the last of the tomatoes and courgettes. Sweetcorn is at its best and then there are blackberries galore.

I'm still in jam and chutney-making mood and the first plum cake is usually an event, too.

But despite the often beautiful weather, you can tell that summer's coming to a close. The snap in the early morning air is not quite a snap yet, but it's getting there.

And that means that light, summery puddings make way for crumbles ... especially when there are ripe blackberries around. Scrumpy cider trades places with refreshing pink fizz, and salads are replaced by cheese.

And just because it isn't winter yet, we still turn out in droves to celebrate good food, be it tomatoes, seafood or cheese. Many towns and cities celebrate their local (and not so local) produce during the month too, so there's plenty for you to check out.

Worcester Feast

If you've never been to Worcester, let me tell you that its cathedral is truly breathtaking (and contains the tomb of England's much maligned King John). Equally famous - and, I'm told the most beautiful in England - is the city's cricket ground. But if you visit Worcester between the 4th and 6th of September, you'll find more than stunning views. You'll find excellent food and wine, too. Truly a feast ... the Worcester Feast. Don't miss!

West Dean Totally Tomato Show

West Dean is known to many people as the home of the annual Chilli Fiesta, but that's not all it is home to. On September 5th and 6th, tomato lovers can get their kicks in Sussex. More than 150 varieties of tomato will be on display, along with cookery demonstrations, competitions and much jummy tomatoey things to taste.

Ludlow Marches Food Festival

Ludlow deserves its reputation as one of England's gourmet hotspots. So you're not far wrong if you think its Food Festival - being held this year between September 11th and September 13th - will be something special, too. Watch out for the Pork Pie of the Marches competition or follow the sausage trail. But most of all ... taste as much local food as you can!

Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival

If you can't make it to Ludlow, this is the place where you should be. The Cheese Festival at Sturminster Newton is a must for any true cheese fanatic. It's also the food festival where I first tasted the cheese that's now my firm favourite: Vintage Cheddar from Godminster Farm. If you've never tried it, you've missed a treat. But it's not the only really amazing cheese at the festival ... far from it. So if you like cheese - be there.