FOOD, glorious food was the order of the day as thousands of people turned out to enjoy the September sunshine and get stuck into Wimborne’s new food festival.

The festival took place across three sites in the town on September 14 with a host of food and drink stalls at Willow Walk giving free samples as well as foodie aficionados hosting free talks –  complete with entertainment from Radio Wimborne and Little Gizmos children entertainers.

Dorset’s Seaside Baker and former Great British Bake-Off contestant Maggie Richardson found herself in another tent as she delighted visitors in the Foodie Tent with her behind-the-scenes revelations as a contestant on the famous cookery show.

Head pastry chef of Le Petit Prince Patisserie Michael Russell revealed the pressures of baking for royalty and former prime minister John Major.

Mike Russell demonstrating his cooking Picture: Wimborne BID

Local author and chef Yayu Slocock got everyone’s mouths watering as she served up some delicious Indonesian food in the demo kitchen.

Michelle Trimmer from Beaucroft Beverages, who distils Minster Gin and Minster Vodka in the town said: “This festival is all about local food and drink specialists and it was great for Wimborne businesses like mine to be supported in such a positive way.

Sam Doyle, Franco Burnell and Jack Morgan at Piazzo Lounge Picture: Wimborne BID

“The turnout was way better than we expected, and we have certainly spread the gin and vodka love with our tasters.

“It’s been a great day!”

Dylan Cooper of Dorset’s Basi Cake Creations said: “My wife had to go home and start baking as we have totally sold out here today.”

Across the town, East Street was closed to traffic where the star attraction was a delicious barbecue, as independent butcher Paul Keating served up hundreds of his own handmade beefburgers, made from Dorset-reared beef.

Paul Keating on the barbecue at Keatings butchers Picture: Wimborne BID

Award-winning independent deli East Street Deli offered an array of samples and sold out of their festival cheese cones.

East Street co-owner Simon Warren said: “We have been relentlessly busy. It has been incredible and the vibe in East Street has been wonderful.”

Lee Green, owner of Ten Bottles said: “Our kitchen team have not stopped today.

“The atmosphere with the live music outside and people enjoying alfresco dining has been amazing.”

Matt Renaut, managing director of Dacombes of Wimborne and festival sponsor said: “Local businesses along with the support of Wimborne BID have worked hard and come together to make this happen and we hope it will become an annual event.”

Mark Walter and Dean Hewitson from the Butchers Dog Picture: Wimborne BID

Tammy Sleet, Wimborne BID manager said: “The aim of this new festival was to showcase and celebrate the great food and drink offerings that this town has on offer.

“Wimborne has really kicked the trend in terms of high street struggling. It’s such a vibrant town with so many independent shops.

“The streets have been absolutely packed and there has been such a buzz in Wimborne.”

Wimborne resident Jo Stanley won the Dacombes of Wimborne Dorset Apple Cake Competition which was judged by BBC Repair Shop star Sonnaz Nooranvary along with former Great British Bake-Off contestant Maggie Richardson.

Ms Nooranvary said: “I’m more of an eater than a baker so trying eighteen different Dorset apple cakes is great fun, if a slight challenge!”

Maggie Richardson and Sonnaz Nooranvary judged the Dorset Apple Cake competition and presented winner Jo Stanley with her prize Picture: Wimborne BID

Ms Stanley, who won £150 of Neff cooking pans to the value of £150, kindly donated by Dacombes of Wimborne, said: “I passed the stand this morning being set up so went home and made my cake and bought it back this afternoon just in time for the competition!”

And why would this cake receive the Paul Hollywood handshake? Maggie Richardson said: “The sponge was just right, the apples distributed fairly, and it was a proper, traditional Dorset apple cake –the best!”

Check out a video from the event here: