Yum! 2015 is nearly here…

Catherine Goble, Yum! Festival organiser for Hull BID, talks about Hull city centre’s FREE food and drink festival, taking place on 7 and 8 August 2015 from 10am-6pm.

Hull city centre plays host to two days of tasty street food, culinary talent, fresh local produce, and a bustling market of world flavours. With over 50 stalls of delicious hot and cold food, a variety of drinks – and even dog biscuits – as well as live cookery demonstrations, talks and book signings, Hull city centre will be buzzing with gastronomic delights.

Sean Wilson, who played Martin Platt in Coronation Street, will be talking about cheesemaking and cooking up some cheese dishes made with ingredients from his post-Street venture Saddleworth Cheese Company, plus Sue Nelson –The Flat Cap Cook from Yorkshire Food Finder – will be showing us how to make the most of Yorkshire’s abundant food larder.

Ian Ibbetson from Chilli Devil Sauces has created a special Yum! sauce specifically for this year’s festival – made with rhubarb, chilli and ginger, it is absolutely delicious. He will be demonstrating exactly how versatile his chilli sauces are, and how they can be used in a variety of different dishes.

Restaurant-style food is on the menu too, with 1884 Dock Street Kitchen and Two Rivers showing us what it takes to serve up their delicious dishes.

And Chris Harrison from Shoot the Bull will be cooking up a storm with his gourmet street food.

There will be cocktail training from Purple Pig and a beer masterclass and food matching from Hiver Beers, as well as a talk on the history of cidermaking, from Bland’s Cider. Hull College will also be on hand to guide you through the processes of food as a career.

Dessert comes in the form of a cake decorating demonstration from Sugar n Spice. And your little ones can have a go themselves, with cupcake decorating in the designated Kids’ Zone. This will also see balloon modellers, magic shows, and a face painter throughout both days. Best of all, everything is completely free!

Whether you are looking for Italian, Turkish, Thai, Spanish, Caribbean, Chinese, Indian, Dutch, Mexican, American, Indonesian, Malaysian, or just hearty English food, Yum! has it all. Have a bit of a sweet tooth? We can certainly cater for that. Cheesecakes, cookies, chocolate, sweets, ice cream, cakes, macarons, doughnuts and waffles will all be making an appearance. Plus, for the health-conscious, protein shakes, gluten free products, fresh fruit and vegetables can be purchased too.

To wash it all down, we have our very own bar marquee including beer, ale, cocktails, mocktails and alcoholic milkshakes. Plus, there are tea sellers, cider makers, bottles of gin, homemade lemonade and slushies. We really have thought of everything.

There will also be a huge selection of offers from food and drink retailers, restaurants and venues throughout the city centre to tickle your tastebuds and save you money.

The Yum! Festival of Food and Drink aims to promote the excellent food and drink establishments and retailers we have in the area, as well as increase the number of visitors to the city centre for what is always a great occasion. Sponsored by American Chip Spice – a well-known Hull staple – and Nisa Local, the event is sure to appeal to people of all ages.

Come and see what’s on the menu at Hull city centre’s annual celebration of food and drink. From traditional dishes to a touch of spice – stay local and taste the world! Whether you want something to eat or drink ‘on the go’, to sit and savour your food in our picnic area, or to stock up on an array of exciting ingredients to make your own dishes at home, Yum! is the place to be on 7 and 8 August

To whet your appetite, make sure you follow @YumFoodFest on Twitter and like us on Facebook.