Bath Tourism Plus chief executive Nick Brook-Sykes bid farewell to the city on Friday for a new job – but he did take time out for one last photocall promoting one of its most-successful events.
Nick, who has been headhunted for a new role in Manchester, has been a great support to countless events in Bath over the past few years. And his support for this month’s food extravaganza, the Great Bath Feast, has meant it is bigger and better.
More than 150 events make up the Great Bath Feast this year – its third – involving chefs from across the city and further afield and it is now one of the most talked-about events in the city’s already packed calendar.
It is backed by Bath Tourism Plus, Bath Business Improvement District (BID) and Bath & North East Somerset Council.
This year’s focus will be on the cuisines of South American, Italy, Japan, Morocco Vietnam, Persia and Sardinia as a well as a special event with Bath winner of MasterChef Ping Coombes creating Malaysian cuisine at the Allium Brasserie.
Closer to home, cheeses from Somerset will be among those appearing at the Fine Cheese Co Festival at Milsom Place while Honey’s Midford Cider will feature in The Apple Day celebrations at Green Park Market.
The official launch takes place on Thursday when a stunning array of photographs goes on display in the Octagon at Milsom Place for the opening of The Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year Exhibition.
The Great Bath Feast Pavilion opened on Stall Street on Friday and runs until October 12. Sponsored by Wellsway BMW, it will host a cookery theatre and an action-packed line up of demos and free events. The Great Bath Breakfast will tap into great local produce and the Tenner Feast will serve up a tempting list of great deals throughout the month.
Other highlights include wine and whisky tastings, a wild walk with forager Chris Westgate around Newton Farm and a series of special courses at Demuths Vegetarian Cookery School.
Nick Brook-Sykes said: “This year’s Great Bath Feast promises to be the biggest so far, with more businesses than ever taking part in the monthly festival. Over the past three years, the Great Bath Feast has built a significant national profile, creating another reason to come to Bath for a short break.”
Bath BID Company chief executive Andrew Cooper added: “The Great Bath Feast is a very good example of working in collaboration to make a successful event for the city of Bath.
“Businesses from the leisure and retail sector are getting involved through the Great Bath Feast Pavilion in Stall Street, the Tenner Feast and chefs' theatre to name but a few of the planned activities.
“The BID has been able to use BID levy funds to invest in the logistics and marketing of the event working in partnership with Bath Tourism Plus, who have also invested time and resource into this festival.”
All events are featured in a 52-page brochure, which is being distributed throughout the city, and listed, along with updates, on www.greatbathfeast.co.uk
