The inaugural Rye Harvest Wine and Food Fair took place on the opening weekend of the Rye Arts Festival, last weekend and it was a great success with over a 1000 visitors.
This enormous undertaking was marshalled into being by the force of nature that is Jane Brook along with a huge band of helpers and volunteers and her right hand superstar, Elise Garner. The event took place on the Rye Cricket Ground from the launch on Friday night till late Sunday afternoon. They even managed to tame the British weather and produced a dry sunny weekend.
There were special events for those who wanted to take the experience further. Friday evening had a Food Truck and a DJ Set with Aunty Maureen accompanied by English fizz and canapes. Saturday night was a four-course pairing supper with Flavour Fred with live music from Los Twangueros. On Saturday live music was provided by Jazz Cakes, Sam Brothers and the shanty group from the Harbour, Rye Harbour Herrings.
The speakers were Toby from Sustainable Wine Roundtable, Nick from Oastbrook, Simon from Mountfield Winery, Andrew from Coaching with Wine, Kristin from Oxney Organic, Talya from Wine GB and Jen Knoops, the chocolate sommelier of Rye.
Sunday started with a wonderful English breakfast and the stunning voice of Kitty La Roar and piano and singing from Nick Shankland. The audience cried for more. This was followed by music from Logan Wilson, poetry from David Hensley and the star of the afternoon was George Egg with his award-winning comedy cooking show.
It was an opportunity to discover the incredible range of local produce from land and sea around a forty-mile radius of Rye. The Festival shone a spotlight on award-winning distillers, brewers and winemakers of East Sussex and Kent.
How does one capture the atmosphere and the brilliant musicians and excellent speakers in one small article in Rye News? Through photography and videography.
We are told that plans for 2025 are already underway!
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Arabella Ansar , Martin Bruce .