The Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival has won a Tourism South East Award at the end of October in the category “Flavour of the South East”. This is a truly deserved recognition for an event which is now in its 3rd year.

The Hastings Seafood and Wine festival has been going from strength to strength, and the 2008 edition in September was another resounding success. On receiving the award, Steve Potter from Hastings Borough Council and organiser of the festival said: “This year the festival attracted an estimated 50,000 visitors, a large number of whom came from outside the town. It is a great opportunity to show the breadth and quality of what Hastings has to offer the intrepid gastronaut, and it brings a huge boost to the local economy.”

Tents and marquees were hosting many local food and wine related businesses from the town and surrounding area such as wine producers, fish restaurateurs, fishmongers, artists. Visitors were able to join in the festivities taking place in the old town next to the very picturesque fishing beach and feast on locally landed fish, meander from stall to stall, enjoy the lively atmosphere and sample lots of different types of fish and wines. The weekend was full of surprises and events happening in many places: choirs, street entertainments, fish procession, music and beer tent, themed talks, cookery demonstrations by local chefs and restaurateurs. The particularly glorious sunshine simply made it a thoroughly enjoyable two days for all involved. Visitors were able to soak in all the local flavours the South East has to offer in terms of seafood, find out what the local fish are, how to cook simple and delicious seafood meals in minutes and find out what wines make a perfect accompaniment.
Hastings fishermen were also present throughout the weekend to demonstrate the art of fish filleting, net making and share their knowledge about fishing in years gone by to today. And judging by the never ending queue for the “fisherman’s roll” which consisted of locally caught fish filleted and cooked by local fisherman Tush, we can safely say that the festival will continue to attract the crowds for years to come.

To make sure you don’t miss out on next year’s Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival, put 19 & 20 September 2009 in your diary now.