Fine Foods in small quantities

We attended last year's Northwest Fine Food Festival and were so impressed that we determined to squeeze in a visit to this year's event even though we were expected in Chesterfield later in the day. We figured a swift jaunt over there after breakfast would still leave us plenty of time to get to Chesterfield by mid-afternoon.

What a disappointment. Whether as a result of the blimmin' credit crunch, or because retailers had concluded that spending a couple of days handing out freebies to grazers who walk around and don't buy much was not the most profitable business model ever invented, I don't know, but the show was much smaller than last year. Roughly half the size, at a guess, and with much less variety. The cheesemakers/vendors were still there, as was the farm-fresh meat, but the vintners, chocolatiers, cake and pudding makers were in short supply and the whole place had an air of desperation about it. Quite sad really. For the second time this weekend, we didn't stay long, and we didn't purchase much.

Some interesting and original marinades, some mature cheddar with added chillies and a free sample of organic coffee, and that was about it. On the basis of that experience, we won't be bothering next year, unless there's some promotional material to convince us that the show has returned to its 2007 standard.