Saturday 21 May 2011

A festival for coffee lovers!


Alan, Miss P and I went to Bath to attend a Coffee Festival. I have been looking to buy an espresso machine and thought that it would be the perfect place to get some advice and find out more about the different options.


The event is taking place today and tomorrow at the Bath Recreation ground right next to the Bath Rugby Club.

As we entered, we were offered a bag with with various goodies in.



I was looking forward to seeing Taylerson's Malmesbury Syrups as it is through their facebook page that I found out about the coffee festival being on this weekend.


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I attended this very interesting presentation from LavAzza on the history of coffee, the various types of coffees, coffee drinks and coffee makers. Miss P was not too interested in this so went to the children's area with Alan whilst I listened and learnt with interest. I have picked up some very useful tips!

Back to walking around the stalls

A selection of cakes and buns from the cheerful The Bath Bun stall


Get Cupcaked provided a selection of very imaginative cupcakes.



Fudge Kitchen had a fantastic selection of delicious fudge, unfortunately I forgot to go back for some before leaving.




It is not often that you can buy cakes which are wheat free and gluten free. When you do happen to see some for sale, they can often be quite bland and boring. However, Annette Blazier's stand was a real surprise and a treat. I chose an apple and strudel sponge cake, it was far from bland and boring. A resounding 10/10, really, really good! A very happy find. Although I do eat wheat, most of the time, I prefer to bake cakes and bread using spelt flour.

Alan enjoying the coffee wheat free and gluten free cake.


Teapigs were there too. I tasted the peppermint & licorice tea. So refreshing! They make very nice teas.






Charlotte Macey Textiles had pretty bags, cushions and gifts.


Plenty of chocolates, cakes and sweet treats to samples.






Polkadot Lane's stand was very eye catching with it's lovely blue and white handcrafted pottery. Several items have gone on to my wish list. I particularly like the heart dishes.



The biscotti Kitchen, I liked the way they presented their delicious biscottis.



Miss P took a shining to a little miniature lama made in Peru. On the way back home, she decided to name it "Coffee".


It was very nice to meet Mrs Stokes who provided a lovely vintage touch to the event with her selection of beautifully presented china.







Some of the goodies that I brought back. Coffee from Brian Wogan and syrups from Taylerson's Malmesbury Syrups. Brian Wogan were very helpful and provided me with a lot of useful information on the does and don'ts of buying an espresso machine, coffee grinders etc...I left there with a much clearer picture of which machine will suit our needs.

The festival is on from 21st to 22nd May, so you still have a chance to go tomorrow if are in the area.

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

20 comments:

fabriquefantastique said...

what an unusual and interesting event.

bellaboo said...

Those cupcaakes looked amazing!..well it all looked amazing,what a fabulous day out you all had! :0)

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Oh you take such lovely family jaunts! I love to come here and see where you were off to, this time.

Delicious Gluten Free items! Oh yes, I look for those.

And I love Mrs. Stokes pretty mugs. Love them!!!

Can't wait to see where you visit next.

Oh and...... A pictured trip around your lovely home, would be super toooooooo, some time. :-) I'm in love with English Country homes, and am sure yours is warm and inviting.

~♥~

Anonymous said...

Great reportage!
Have a nice weekend.

polkadotpeticoat said...

Now this is a celebration....wow. I wish I could have been there amazing booths and displays!

Vintage Sunday said...

What a wonderful day out Isabelle! Thank you so much for taking us along with you with your lovely photos! Some of those stands looked absolutely fabulous ~ some of which you wouldn't have expected at a Coffee Fair ~ so a real bonus! So glad you were able to find the information you were looking for in a suitable machine, and look forward to hearing about which one you end up purchasing! Love Brenda

Alessandra said...

Ciao, what a lovely blog (and I see that you like Sardinia!). I am following you :-)

Please come and visit me if you have time, I am on
http://alessandrazecchini.blogspot.com/

Ciao

Alessandra

donna baker said...

Now that was one huge, wonderful festival. I would have loved to visit Bath for any reason.

Simone said...

It looks and sounds wonderful! I would love to try those coffee syrups and fudge and cakes!!! Thank you for sharing pictures of your lovely day out. x

ted and bunny said...

such an interesting post Isabelle- I felt like I'd been round the stalls myself.

I must be just plain weird but I absolutely ADORE instant coffee.
I find "proper" coffee far too stong...and I have an even worse confession- my really REALLY favourite coffee is "builders coffee" in a mug, with sugar, and from a flask!!

Ooops, now I'll never again look refined (if I ever did in the first place )
xx

Rubyred said...

Oh such a lovely little trip!
The cupcakes look delicious!
I bet it smelt gorgeous in the marquee!
Rachel x

Iaia said...

Never heard about a coffee event..it should have been interesting...
Baci Iaia

A garden just outside Venice said...

Hello Isabelle, thank you for popping by my blog!
Ah, making a good coffee is like an art, I can understand your concern about the choice of a new machine!
Good luck with your shop!
x

Fågel Blå said...

Ohhh so lovely!!!!
Love your photos!!!!
Thanks for your comments!!!
I be so happy!!!!
Yipeeeeeeeeeeee!
Have a nice weekend!
Kathrine

koralee said...

Everything is so lovely...I wish I could of been there...so many wonderful treats. Thank you for sharing. xoxoxo Hugs for a great new week.

Yvonne - Frl. Klein said...

The festival looks very interesting!
Hugs,
Yvonne

Elderberry-Rob said...

A lovely event, I bet it smelt wonderfully of coffee, the crafts look interesting. Betty.

Monica said...

Isabelle,
thanks for always sharing interesting places and things, it's such a treat visiting you ;)
Monica x

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

I love Miss P's Llama and think Coffee is a most appropriate name! By the way, I can smell that aroma all the way across the ocean and taste those yummy looking cupcakes too! Thanks for sharing your day with me!
:)

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

What a lovely day . Everything sounds delicious and stylish , a winning combination !