Part Two: More Fun & Frolics at the Bolton Food & Drink Festival

Hey guys! How are you? Hope you’re having a fantastic weekend! The weather has been nothing short of divine, right? Plus I’ve been REALLY constructive so all is well on Planet Amber! I know it’s a little late, but here is the follow-up to the Bolton Food Festival piece. It was a really lovely weekend, with loads of stalls vying for attention that amounted to a tonne of fun! From savoury treats to succulent sweets there was something for everyone, even the alcohol enthusiast (yes gal pal S, I mean you). Now, the major highlight for me was Franca’s. Specializing in steaming hot take-away and fresh ingredients allowing people to create mouth-watering dishes in the comfort of their own home, this stall offers a win / win situation for everyone.

Franca’s has been in the business for over 25 years and I couldn’t agree more with their tag-line “Life’s too short not to eat Italian”. They certainly know their stuff. Having been traditionally brought up in Southern Italy, Franca is an expert in innovative techniques with a load of authentic Italian recipes up her talented sleeve. By heartily embracing her rich heritage, she has perfected classic recipes with a contemporary twist. From home-baked brushettas to tantalising tapenades, Franca’s should be your one-stop shop for picnics and foodie-treats galore. My favourite has to be the Tiger Tomatoes – they really are heaven in a jar. Seriously. Slow roasted overnight with subtle herbs to augment their distinctive flavour, these luscious Tiger Tomatoes are versatile too. From being tossed in salad or as delicious antipasti, this is THE product du jour for me and which will make you return to their shop over and over (and over) again.

It’s the little things that I love, the attention to detail that makes Franca’s stand out from the crowd. From the rustic twill around the neck of the pretty jar of antipasti, to the beyond awesome customer service, Franca’s is a force to be reckoned with. It was pouring down with rain, yet that didn’t dampen Franca’s ambassadors. A special mention goes to Sarah, who had the patience of saint (she took the time to speak with me and point out all the samples on my platter). The young cheeky chappies, whose infectious enthusiasm was like a sudden burst of sunshine were awesome too. Note to Franca – your assistants are one of your main highlights – you should be proud for training them so well.

There were so many other stalls that deserve a mention, which I’ll touch on later in the week. In the meantime, enjoy the brilliant weather and have super Sunday folks!

RAx