Olney Food Festival

   

BOFF: Big Olney Food Festival     Photo sheet Previous  1 2 3 4 Next   The first BOFF was in 2009, which OlneyOnline/VisitOlney co-organised to launch its websites about the town.   After weeks of publicity, Festival Feast tickets were sold out for the Big Olney Food Festival. Thousands of people turned up to enjoy the entertainment and try the food on offer at the wide range of stalls. This was our report, matching the pictures right. Family Fun The event began in fitting style with children from the Little Drama Stars dance and drama group performing 'Food Glorious Food' from the musical Oliver. Unfazed by the unfamiliar stage, the group charmed the audience. Koreen Miles from Grandma's Calypso Kitchen did the first cooking demonstration on the stage. Her Caribbean inspired cooking was popular with the members of the public invited to sample the finished product. There was similar audience involvement for Alun Man's spring roll demonstration. Alun, from the Old Shanghai brought up volunteers to help him with preparing the rolls. There was a long line to taste the samples at the end.  Perhaps the most entertaining of the cooking demonstrations was our take on the popular TV programme, 'Ready, Steady, Cook'. Chefs, Pete Matthews from the Swan Inn and Bistro and Lynne Balletta from Much Ado were tasked with making two pancake fillings, one sweet, one savoury. Pete was assisted by Olney Town Mayor, Mike Hughes and Lynne by Councillor Debbie Brock. It was an entertaining 30 minutes as the 'helpers' braved the use of the massive 'dominator' oven on the stage. But both teams produced astonishing results. And the result of judging from members of the audience was, perhaps fittingly, a tie. Matt Proskey from Much Ado wowed the crowd with the Spanish omelette, or tortilla he produced. Loaded with fresh local ingredients, the omelette was demolished by willing helpers. As organisers from hoped, the first part of the event from 1 to 4 p.m featured many families enjoying the entertainment. Many children enjoyed hurtling down the giant bouncy slide. Others were to be seen with the food-themed face painting (cupcakes and fruit proving popular). Volunteers for Olney-based charity Advantage Africa gave up their time to do the painting. They raised money for a project to feed orphans in East Africa. Time for Tea At 4 o'clock, the delightful Luan Hockley charmed the audience with her beautiful voice and lively personality. Ever the professional, she performed her first set with the 'dominator' oven alongside her on the stage as it was still too hot to be removed. Meanwhile, in the marquee, Aubergine Cookshop ran a 'preserving clinic' in which the public could ask about how to make jams, pickles and more. And the Bacchus speed wine tasting sessions were also very popular with nearly 20 people turning up for one of the 15 minute segements. It gave participants a chance to develop their nose under an experienced taster. Festival Feast The highlight of the evening was the Festival Feast; the three course meal and wine or beer for £10. It was the same menu as lunch, though with twice as many tickets selling for the evening than for the earlier sitting. The Bull's selection of fantastic starters came first - served in their beer tent. Much Ado's paella was cooked in giant vessels, though judging by the queues it was almost too popular.   For pudding, the pancake committee (all volunteers) did an amazing job to produce pancakes with a filling and ice cream. They made an estimated 800 during the Festival. Luan Hockley came back on to perform for the evening crowd, followed by 'Diva Sophia'. Both were fantastic vocalists who added to the relaxing atmosphere as the sun went down. With tea lights on the tables and bottles of wine and pints of beer consumed in vast number, it was difficult to get some in the audience to leave the Market Place.   Most seemed to feel the event was a success. And will there be another? Well, already people have been taking notes for improvements if the Big Olney Food Festival returns...

   

A short history of pancakes in Olney...

Olney's famous race is run every Shrove Tuesday, featuring women who have lived in the town for more than 6 months. It dates back to 1445 and it is believed all began with a townswoman late for the Shriving service at the Olney parish church.

The day is significant. Eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day, is an ancient tradition. It is the day before Lent; the start of the traditional fast. By giving up dairy products, people marked Jesus' 40 days and nights in the wilderness. So on Shrove Tuesday, stores of dairy products were used up in the pancake mix.

Racing to church - The Olney Pancake Race

For our Olney woman, it was also important to attend the Shriving service before the start of Lent, a time to confess sins before Ash Wednesday. So the story goes, hearing the church bells ring out for the service, our townswoman fled her house fearful of being late. She ran the distance down the High Street to make it to the parish church - still clutching her frying pan and wearing an apron.

Now, the event is still commemorated hundreds of years later in the Olney pancake race. The Olney residents (women) compete in traditional apron, cap, and holding a fying pan with a real pancake. They must toss their pancake once at the start (ouside The Bull Inn) and once at the finish by the church.

The race starts at 11.55am. The Olney High Street is shut, and spectators line the route from the Market Place all the way to Olney's St.Peter and St.Paul church.