FRIDAY 16th & SATURDAY 17th JUNE 2017

WHAT'S ON AT

www.stafford-towncentre.co.uk/cheeseandale

STAFFORD

Cheese and Ale Festival

A big welcome to top celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli who will be joining us during this year’s festival, which is now a firm favourite in the Staffordshire festival calendar. With a fine array of food and drink from makers and suppliers of cheese, bread, pies and chutneys, as well as brewers and cider and wine makers, it is easy to see why we predict this year will be our best yet.

Why not book your place in Market Square for afternoon tea on Friday, at either 11.30am or 2.30pm and on Saturday we have cookery demonstrations taking place from 11am to 3pm.

Jean Christophe will be doing the first demonstration at 11am - and he will be pitting his skills against one of our best local culinary experts in this year’s ‘Chef Challenge’ at 1pm. Both events featuring Jean Christophe are ticket only.

We hope you enjoy this fantastic celebration of quality food and drink and look forward to seeing you there.

Tim Clegg Chris Lewis

Chief Executive Chairman Stafford Borough Council Stafford Town Centre Partnership

The festival is a joint venture between the Town Centre Partnership and Stafford Borough Council along with the Staffordshire Chefs Forum. The festival is sponsored by Taste of Staffordshire, Visit Stafford and W R Davies.

Welcome

festival competition Capture Stafford today

The competition will be judged at 4.30pm and the winner announced on Peter Rogers Photographic Facebook and Twitter pages.

Peter Rogers Photography celebrate their 70th anniversary this year. Take photographs of Stafford on Saturday 17th June, pick your favourite photograph that captures the town, and visit their shop in Mill Street, where they will print and keep your photograph along with your contact details. You will then be entered into the competition.

WIN A

£50 PETER ROGERS GIFT VOUCHER

Meet Jean Christophe NovelliCod Catalan Style

When did you first get interested in cooking?

It was my Mum who first inspired me to cook. I was lucky to witness her preparing traditional family dishes from an early age, and by the time I was 8 years old I knew that I would be a chef.

Who was your mentor?

Before I became a professional cook, it was my Mum for sure - I learnt all the cooking basics from her. After that there were many, many people, but the very first of a long line - the person who really opened my eyes and showed me the big picture of how to become a professional chef - was Raymond Blanc. This was back in 1984 and I’m still very impressed by him today.

What are your favourite restaurants to dine out in?

Having not been out for a long time, my most recent discovery was the Jetty in Mudeford, Dorset. The chef Alex Aitken served some wonderful food and Charlie and his team looked after us so well. I’ve experienced so many good places over the years, it would take ages to name them all, and it would be unfair to name just a few.

What has been your most embarrassing moment in the kitchen?

When working in Keith Floyd’s pub 'The Malsters' back in 1983, we were all getting ready to prepare for a wedding when it was discovered we’d run out of gas to cook with. I’d recently sacked the maintenance man and unfortunately I’d forgotten he was in charge of the gas order!

If you were marooned on a desert island who would you like it to be with?

Assuming I have my family already, I would have liked Donna Summer or the actor Peter Falk (Lieutenant Columbo) - but sadly neither is with us any longer - so I would like the singer/songwriter Paul Young .

What has been the highlight of your career?

It was in 1983 when I crossed the channel with a one-way ferry ticket, and since then every single day has been a bonus.

Who does the cooking at home?

I think you can guess, but my fiancé Michelle makes the best breakfasts and also some wonderful lunchtime sandwiches.

If you weren’t a chef what would you like to be?

I would like to be something creative like a gardener, an architect, or a hairdresser - but I find it very difficult to compare any other job with cooking. Cooking is the only time you can use all your 5 senses together.

This dish originates from the Catalan region that borders France and Northern Spain.

Ingredients4 cod fillets (skin on)700g plum tomatoes (chopped)3 shallots (chopped)1/2 bulb garlic1 sprig rosemary1 sprig thyme2 bay leaves1 tbsp parsley and fresh basil(chopped)2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil10 black olivesCracked black pepper2 tbsp extra virgin rapeseed oil(for frying)Crispy salad and steamed rice(to serve)

Serves: 4Preparation Time: 15 minutesCooking Time: 25 minutes

MethodPreheat the oven to 160ºC (fan), 180ºC (non-fan), or gas mark 4.

To Prepare The SauceUsing a blender or liquidiser, blitz the tomatoes and shallots for a few seconds. Transfer this mixture into a sauté pan, with a lid, and bring to the boil. Add the garlic, rosemary, thyme and bay leaves and simmer for 10 minutes to reduce the sauce slightly. Season with black pepper to taste, then add the olives.

For The FishIn another pan, heat the rapeseed oil. Introduce the fish, skin-side down. Sear for 2 minutes then remove from the heat.

Place the fish in an ovenproof (gratin) dish. Cover with the tomato sauce and bake for 10 minutes. While the fish is in the oven, mix the fresh herbs with the olive oil and let it infuse.

When the 10 minutes of baking time is finished, drizzle the infused oil over the fish dish and serve. This is perfect with steamed rice and a crispy salad.

Chef’s TipAny good quality, firm fish can be used for this dish, especially one of my favourites, red snapper.

Friday and Saturday | 1.30pm - 3.30pmFondue Party at The Bakehouse Come along to The Bakehouse in Market Street and join the party! Buy your dipping fork and basket of crusty artisan bread cubes and enjoy a selection of cheese fondues. Advance tickets from The Bakehouse are £4, limited tickets on the day £4.75. Call 07896 431 934.

Friday and Saturday

Cheese Heroes at the Guildhall Shopping CentreCalling all super heroes! Come and join in the cheesetastic challenges and games and win some of the prizes up for grabs. Be a Cheese Detective and use your super powers to name the cheese, share your best cheesy jokes, and put on your cape and join the cheese trail around the centre. Great fun for the whole family. Have you got your super powers ready?

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Special Guest Ales at The ApothecaryCall in at the Apothecary who are serving a special guest ale as well as a variety of bottled ale.

Saturday

Photographic and Optics Open Day at Peter Rogers PhotographicCelebrating 70 years in business with a photographic and optics open day in their store in Mill Street. Representatives from Canon, Pentax and Viking Optical will be there to demonstrate the latest products including cameras, lenses and binoculars. Get professional advice and take advantage of the very special open day offers! Meet and photograph birds of prey from The Owl Experience and Rescue Sanctuary.

Saturday

Festival Music at the SwanFrom 3pm THE GORSTY LEA STREET CHOIR

From 9pm THE MIMICS

All the get up and dance songs, think The Killers - Biffy Clyro and Coldplay, expect the unexpected.

What’s On In Town What’s On In Town

Friday

Festival Music at the SwanFrom 8.30pm THE CARTOON KINGS

Friday and Saturday | 10am - 4pm

Cheese TrailCan you find 15 different cheeses in shops and businesses in the North end of Stafford town centre? Each store will display a picture of a different cheese; all you have to do is find and name the cheese in each window. Lots of prizes to be won. Entry forms can be picked up at Salter Street Toys or from the information point in Market Square.

Friday and Saturday | 10am - 4pmMouse Hunt at Salter Street ToysDrop in to the shop, pick up an entry form and join in the fun!

Friday and Saturday | 10am - 4pmCheese and Ale Sampling at Sainsbury’s

Friday & Saturday | 11am - 3pmSoul Food at St Chad’s ChurchArts, crafts and activities for adults and children on the theme of food and God's good world. And a chance to explore the beautiful interior of the oldest building in Stafford town centre. Free admission and refreshments will be available.

Friday and Saturday | 12noon - 10pmGelato and Cocktails at My BellesMy Belles will be serving Cornish blue cheese and walnut gelato along with a cocktail - Italian Orchard - a mix of rich pear vodka combined with very moreish Cornish blue cheese and walnut gelato, honey, lemon and finished with a caramelised pear - very sophisticated and complex flavours, Bellissimo!

festival offersFriday and Saturday Hadleigh Jewellery Nomination FREE Bracelet PromotionBuy 2 charms and get the bracelet FREE!!

Monsoon and AccessorizeUp to 50% off!

SATURDAY 17TH JUNE

Matt Davies, Chairman of the Staffordshire Chefs Forum and

Group Executive Chef from The Lewis Partnership will host the Cookery Theatre. 11.00am | Chef Jean Christophe Novelli

12.00noon | Chef Allan Jones, Keele Hall

1.00PM, THE GREAT CHEF’S CHALLENGE Watch two top chefs go head to head in a Ready, Steady Cook style challenge…

but beware… audience participation is required!

Chef Jean Christophe Novelli Chef Matt Davies, The Lewis Partnership

2.00pm | Chef Richard Finney, Stafford College and Chef Paul Ingleby, Walsall College

3.00pm | Joe Bailey, Greenway Hall Golf Club

The demonstrations are very popular, be sure to take your seats early!

RICHARD FINNEY, Stafford CollegeRichard started his career at The Chester Grosvenor which held a Michelin star for over 20 years. He owned his own country pub cooking good simple food before he moved to The Fischers at Baslow Hall (1 Michelin star, 4 AA rosettes). Richard is now a full time lecturer and Curriculum Leader for Hospitality and Catering at Stafford College and a member of the Staffordshire Chefs Forum

ALAN JONES, Keele HallAs head chef at Keele Hall, Alan runs an award winning a la Carte restaurant which caters for up to 500 covers in the banqueting suit. Responsible for day to day operations the role allows Alan to showcase his culinary flair. Through years of training and determination he has achieved things that he never thought possible, including working alongside Marco Pierre White and cooking for celebrities and royalty.

PAUL INGLEBY, WALSALL COLLEGEPreviously head chef at Fairlawns Hotel, Paul is now the Sous Chef and Trainee Hospitality Lecturer at Walsall College’s commercial unit The Littleton restaurant. As a very passionate young chef Paul loves showing, teaching and inspiring the students and staff at the Littleton restaurant, and his aim is to give the students and customers a memorable food experience.

JOE BAILEY, GREENWAY HALL GOLF CLUBWith 15 years’ experience working in kitchens in Staffordshire, Sheffield and Canada Joe is a 2016 Roux Scholarship regional finalist and has been leading the kitchen at Greenway Hall for 6 years, overseeing the transformation of the Golf Club into a thriving and award winning Staffordshire venue.

MATT DAVIES, Group Executive Chef, The Lewis Partnership Having held a strong two rosettes for culinary excellence for the past 18 years, Matt oversees the exceptional standards at the Lewis Partnership’s highly regarded eateries. Matt is the current Chairman of the British Culinary Federation and Staffordshire Chefs Forum and has a string of awards under his belt. Having cooked on TV no less than three times with the Hairy Bikers, Matt is no stranger to the limelight and his demonstrations always attract capacity crowds!

Meet the C hefs

Cookery Theatre

Visit Stafford. Love Stafford and the surrounding area. Step back in time and discover our heritage, wander modern galleries and exhibitions, browse specialist shops and outdoor markets, experience fun events and family attractions. Explore the picturesque countryside, canal paths, tranquil parks and gardens. Then why not take a break by relaxing in award winning restaurants and cosy tearooms or why not stay longer? Visit the website or contact our Visitor Information team to see what’s on offer!

2 for 1 fresh coffee Bring this voucher with you to the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Coffee Shop for 2 for 1 hot drink

Stafford Visitor Information CentreSituated in the foyer of Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Eastgate Street, Stafford, ST16 2LT. E: visitorinfo@staffordbc.gov.uk Tel: 01785 619 619

Visit Stafford. Love Stafford and the surrounding area. Step back in time and discover our heritage, wander modern galleries and exhibitions, browse specialist shops and outdoor markets, experience fun events and family attractions. Explore the picturesque countryside, canal paths, tranquil parks and gardens. Then why not take a break by relaxing in award winning restaurants and cosy tearooms or why not stay longer? Visit the website or contact our Visitor Information team to see what’s on offer!

Visit Stafford. Love Staffordand the surrounding area. Step back in time and discover our heritage, wander modern galleries and exhibitions, browse specialist shops and outdoor markets, experience fun events and family attractions!

Discover the taste of Staffordshire in restaurants, teashops and pubs - flavours for all tastes and menus prepared from fresh local produce.

www.tasteofstaffordshire.com

www.staffordbc.gov.uk

Superb quality, fresh, local produce.

Farmers Markets 9.00am - 4.00pmFirst Saturday every month

Stone High Street

Second Saturday every month Stafford, Market Square.

Stafford Indoor Marketmore than 50 stalls

Stafford Market | 01785 245 935 | www.staffordbc.gov.uk

Tue & Thu | 9am - 4.30pmFri & Sat | 9am - 5pm