GWR serves up sponsorship of Food Connections Festival 2016

Bristol Food Connections has announced ‘second helpings’ with the news that GWR will once again be headline sponsor of its 2016 festival - which runs from Friday 29 April for nine days across the May Bank Holiday. The sponsorship forms the centrepiece in a smorgasbord of food celebrations that GWR is supporting throughout the West Country over the next six months.

Across Bristol the festival itself will see individuals, groups, organisations and businesses that are passionate about food come together to stage an iconic food event. It recognises the city’s emergence as one of the UK’s most exciting places to eat - and kicks off with BBC Radio 4’s Food and Farming Awards and also includes a headline appearance by visionary chef Yotam Ottolenghi.

GWR is backing the festival for the third consecutive year as part of its commitment to the communities wherever its trains travel - in this case by serving local food on board and also by celebrating the astonishingly high quality food that is produced throughout the West.

GWR Summer of Food highlights

Having decided to bring more local food and drink on board in 2013 GWR now stocks over 130 locally sourced products. From Bristol gin to Cornish tea; from Devon pies to Wiltshire bacon; and from Somerset smoked salmon to Gloucestershire porridge - diners can eat some of the best local food whenever they travel.

GWR also boasts the Pullman - Britain’s only regular high speed dining carriage - which through the working week serves breakfasts, brunches - and a dinner menu created by renowned chef and restaurateur Mitch Tonks who is Consultant to GWR for Pullman dining. As a taster his latest selection includes: Brixham scallops on spiced lentils; Somerset pork belly with fennel & quince; and goats cheese from Glastonbury.

Restaurateur and food writer Mitch Tonks: “There are few finer pleasures than enjoying good food on a relaxing train journey to the West Country. With all these festivals you can dine splendidly when you arrive too!”

MEDIA DIARY DATE: to book a place at the Food Connections media launch on 29 April at The Food Connections site on College Green in Bristol contact James Laird james.laird@epicuruscomms.co.uk or Melissa Kidd melissa@bristolfoodconnections.com