GOURMET food of all sorts was on show at a courtyard in the centre of Malvern last Saturday.

The former Malvern water bottling plant behind Belle Vue Terrace, now home to Rob- son Ward Kitchens, played host to the Malvern Food Festival.

The day was a great success, according to Lynn Wood of Heart of England Fine Foods, which organised the event.

"It was really bustling all day," she said.

"There were all sorts of local producers selling their goods, there were cookery demonstrations and even jazz music."

Visitors had the chance to sample everything from pickled onions and fruit gin to smoked meats, all produced in or around the area. Bundles of asparagus, bottles of fruit sauces and smoked meats were all on display.

Among the exhibitors were the Tiltridge Vineyard at Upton-upon-Severn, Jus fruit juices from Aylton and Just Rachel's ice cream from Bromesberrow.

Fuggles of Munsley, near Ledbury, were selling hot dogs and sausages made from local meat to appreciative visitors, while Beacon Books, of Worcester Road, set up a stall with a selection of cookery titles.

Chef Kevin Capper, of the White Season restaurant in Church Street, was among the demonstrators.

"He had a very good show," said Lynn. "He said his company, Essential Cuisine Oils, did better on Saturday than they'd done at the BBC Good Food Show."

Another demonstrator was Stephanie Topping, of Malvern, while Anne Lane showed how to make Jubilee Chicken, a version of coronation chicken updated for modern tastes with lime and ginger.

Adrian Ward, of Robson Ward Kitchens, agreed the day had been a great success.

He said: "It's hard to say exactly how many people visited us on the day but it was a lot. We were really busy all day long."

The event was previously held four years ago, when it was organised solely by Robson Ward Kitchens without the involvement of Heart of England Fine Foods.

Mr Ward says he would now like to hold the food festival on a more regular basis and involve more local businesses, including food shops and restaurants.