WELLS Food Festival is back for its 13th year this month – celebrating the best of Somerset’s farming and culinary heritage.

The medieval heart of the city, Market Place, as well as along the Bishop Palace Moat into the recreation ground and the 15th century Bishops Barn will be taken over by foodies on Sunday, October 12.

Organisers said, following the success of last year’s extension of the Artisan Market into the High Street, the free-to-enter festival will be spreading out even further for 2025, with more stalls moving into the entrance to Sadlers Street, just off Market Place.

There is also a new feature area of both Street Food and market stands which can be accessed through the Penniless Porch and will be set out in front of Wells Cathedral.

“Visitors are always struck by the diversity of food and drink on offer from talented and passionate producers who need our support more than ever before,” said festival director, Jon Abbott.

“The festival is growing in popularity and size year on year, both with new producers requesting a stand and the number of visitors attending – over 15,000 last year.

“As a result, we are always looking at ways to accommodate the requests and ensure it is an enjoyable day out for everyone.”

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Other areas on offer at the event include a Celebration of English Wine marquee on Palace Green, showcasing the south west’s premium wine-producers.

Headline sponsor, Charlie Bigham’s, will also be on the Palace Green, with a host of activities planned for the day.

“We’re thrilled to be back at the Wells Food Festival for the sixth year. It’s a stone’s throw from our Quarry Kitchen and, as always, it’s great to be a part of this brilliant celebration of South West food,” said Charlie.

“There is amazing talent to see across the region and this festival celebrates everything it does so well, from passionate small producers to wonderful street food.

“With over 300 employees in the Somerset area, we’re proud to be a local business and are looking forward to meeting many of the people who enjoy our food.

“We hope to see as many people as possible at our stand – we will be showing vintage photos of our Quarry back in its mining days and upcycling our wooden trays – and of course, have a selection of our dishes for visitors to take home.”

Meanwhile, at the Recreation Ground, the Food for Thought marquee addresses some hot food topics, focussing on Sustainability, Innovation and Food & Community.

Goierri providing a taste of Spain at Wells Food Festival. Picture: John Law

Hot on the heels of winning the Waste Not Want Not Award from The Grocer, Beyond Among those taking part are Belief Brewing Co, who will be explaining how the company turns surplus carbohydrates – including pasta, bread and flapjacks – into beer, while horticulturalist Charles Dowding, whose book Compost – Transform Waste into New Life focuses on how to use kitchen and garden waste to make homemade compost gold.

Community is still at the heart of Food for Thought and will host representatives from food poverty and waste charity FareShare, alongside the Shepton Mallet Community Fridge, and SWEDA, which supports people with eating disorders in the South West.

For the younger visitors, the Children’s Zone in the Recreation Ground includes activities organised by Stepping Stones Nursery, Wells Cathedral School, Millfield and 5th/7th Wells Scout Group.

The interactive Children’s Trail will also provide a fun way to see the festival.

A new-look pop-up cookery school, Little Joe’s Kitchen, is making its debut.

Little Joes Kitchen will be making its debut in Wells

Simon Gray, formerly of Fun Kitchen, will be sharing his passion for seafood with some fishy workshops for children to create Salmon Boats, and is also introducing his new School of Fish cookery workshops for teenagers and adults, with sessions making Thai Green Curry Mussels throughout the day.

All activities and workshops are free to attend but to avoid disappointment, people can visit the marquee on arrival to book a place.

For further information about Wells Food Festival, visit www.wellsfoodfestival.co.uk.