The many and varied “Flavours of Herefordshire” will go on show at the 2008 Herefordshire Food Festival, at Hereford Racecourse, over the weekend of October 25 and 26.

An annual highlight for a county aspiring to Slow Food status, it also presents visitors with the opportunity to meet more than 100 producers who rear, grow, make and sell some of the finest local produce.

But that is just one ingredient in a lively two-day programme which is featured on the website www.herefordshirefoodfestival.com.

Highlights for this year’s festival include:

• The appearance of TV’s Hairy Bikers
• The launch of Tyrrells latest Ale & Cheese flavour of potato chips (featuring local Dorothy Goodbody’s Ale), and their own brand of vodka
• Cookery demonstrations using only the finest local produce
• A "Back from the Brink" display by the Marcher Apple Network
• The Herefordshire Bee Keepers Association’s annual honey show
• The launch of Just Rachael's pear and blackberry ice cream
• The launch of Three Counties Gourmet new cocktails
• The first appearance of “Once Upon A Tree,” who produce an entirely different type of cider (to be drunk like wine)
• A special “Festival Food Trail” for youngsters

“We’re encouraging people to ‘love it, live it, try it…’,” said Herefordshire Council’s cultural services manager Jane Lewis.

“But it’s only an opportunity to get a flavour of the fantastic food grown and produced locally, it’s also an early Christmas shopping opportunity,” she added.

Festival admission prices are adults £5, concessions £4.50, under 14s £1, and children under three free. The special ticketline number is: 01568 797842.

Opening times are 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday, October 25; and 10am to 4pm on Sunday, October 26.

For further information, visit www.herefordshirefoodfestival.com.