BOFF Returns

After the hugely successful BOFF09, the question had been: will there be another? Now there is an answer...The Big Olney Food Festival is set to return.

The date will be Saturday September 18th 2010.

Last year saw over 400 tickets sold for the 'festival feast' served by outlets like The Bull and Much Ado. But many hundreds more came for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea.

The event was also popular with families...particularly the giant bouncy slide and 'foodie' face painting by local charity Advantage Africa.

Many grown-up's remember fondly the delicious food on offer amid glorious Autumn sun. The entertainment included talented singers and cooking demonstrations. Another highlight was the 'cook-off' between Olney's Mayor and MK Deputy Mayor, Debbie Brock in 'Olney's Ready Steady Cook'.

The event was organised last year by Olney Chamber of Trade members, including OlneyOnline.com, and it served as a great launch event for us and our sister website www.VisitOlney.com. This year we will aim to provide plenty of coverage of the festival, facilities and the week of events.

Many Chamber of Trade members involved last year are returning to the fray in 2010. James Lomax from The Bull said: “The exposure was fantastic. People discovered The Bull in Olney was serving up modern British cuisine.” 

Much Ado Deli, which provided the famous paella report that people are still thanking them for a fantastic event. They will have anothe stall, though as yet are tight-lipped about what is on the menu.

It is expected that more local outlets will want to be on the Market Place. As stallholder, Derryn Crookes from Teapots said: “People who made the effort to take their businesses on to the Market Place did very well.”

One man who is particularly happy the festival is being repeated is the Olney Mayor, Michael Hughes who said: “It is fantastic to see the people of Olney joining into the spirit of this marvellous town.”  

Of course, the event won't happen without considerable hard work and an appeal has gone out for volunteers and participants to register their interest. 

The Olney Chamber of Trade would like to hear from those interested. Please email olneychamberoftrade@yahoo.co.uk or contact Samantha Tomlin on 01234 711784.