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Food & Wine Festival

The first Christchurch Food and Wine Festival was conceived as a millenium project in 2000 and was an initiative of the Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Christchurch Borough Council and the Christchurch Tourism Association. Since then it has gone from strength to strength and is now a nationally and internationally recognised festival.

Over a hundred food events take place in Christchurch's restaurants, pubs an attractions ranging from themed meals, "Two for a Tenner" lunches, demonstrations, gourmet dinners and Charity Supper. The festival will run from 8-17 May 2009 and a free programme which details all the events will be available from the Christchurch Information Centre in March.

The much-loved International Food Market attracts over 60,000 visitors each year and takes place on the opening weekend of the festival on 9 and 10 May 2009 . The High Street will be traffic-free for the weekend to allow you to wander freely and enjoy the local, regional and international food and drink. With over 100 stalls including the Dorset Farmers' Market, French Market, local and regional food producers and traders from Christchurch's twin towns - it's sheer indulgence!

Cookery demonstrations by celebrity chef Lesley Walters, the Festival's Patron, other celebrity chefs and Christchurch's top local chefs will be taking place in the Rangemaster Cookery Theatre in Saxon Square throughout the weekend and full details of these will be available soon.