Food Festival Launch Celebrated

The 2012 Bournemouth Food & Drink Festival was launched in traditional style with a Barons of Beef event hosted at the Hotel Miramar in association with the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce and Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association.

Going back to long-standing traditions, a joint of beef was served to guests, along with traditional cider and ale.

The ‘Bournemouth Traders Baron of Beef Association’ was set up in 1885 with the main purpose to meet quarterly for "the discussion of public matters affecting the general welfare of the town." An annual Baron of Beef dinner was also hosted on the third Thursday of February. Annual membership was five shillings. In 1908 the Association evolved into the Bournemouth Traders Federation.

The success of the growing Food & Drink Festival was praised by Bournemouth Deputy Mayor, Cllr Chris Rochester who commented on the great traditions within the town of celebrating good food and welcoming visitors.

Hotel Miramar Director, David Bailey said, “It was a pleasure to host the launch evening. Bournemouth businesses, restaurants, hoteliers and the council are all pulling together like never before to ensure that Bournemouth is on the map. Events like the food festival and air show enable us to market ourselves as a wonderful resort offering something for everyone.”

“We can also be proud of the excellent hotels and restaurants the area has to offer.”

The evening was rounded off with live entertainment by poet Paul Biddle, singer and songwriter Paul Kinvig, Bournemouth Concert Brass and the wonderful Off-Beat Groove Choir.