Students take to the stage at World Food Festival

Students took to the stage last weekend at Welwyn Garden City town centre, as it was transformed into a hub of global cuisine for the return of the annual foodie celebration, the World Food Festival.

This time, the event also welcomed a celebrity culinary star on stage,  in the shape of Great British Bake Of Winner Frances Quinn, who took the winning crown on the cult series in 2013.

The town centre saw over 30 stallholders offering food from all around the world, with music and performances on the world stage from community groups and students from Oaklands College.  A series of expert demonstrations including the GBBO winner stepped up for a slot on the Cooking Demo stage to share top baking tips with enthusiastic foodies.

With Bake Off soon to return with its new format to our TV screen, 2013 winner Frances is excited to help encourage everyone to get back into baking this summer. She said: “Food is a great way for people to show they care, it’s brings people together. Events such as the World Food Festival help bring back the buzz of home cooking, baking and entertaining to the local community.

“It was great to sharing my recipes on stage and see student chefs up there doing the same – we can all help inspire the next generation of bakers and young chefs to get creative in the kitchen.”

This year the event was delivered by Welwyn BID and Oaklands College. Principal and Chief Executive of the College Zoe Hancock said: “The World Food Festival is widely thought of as one of the most high profile community events in the year for Welwyn Garden City town centre.

“Special thanks to the students who took to the stage for various performances and demonstrations throughout the day – they delivered so professionally and should all be very proud for their part in creating such an excellent impression of the college to the wider community.”

Jonathan Field, Head of Branch John Lewis Welwyn said: “It was great to see so many quality stalls and a significant number of people, adding to a terrific atmosphere, despite the weather in the afternoon. I have no doubt at all that it attracted additional footfall and greatly increased dwell time.

“These are exactly the types of things the BID will be doing in conjunction with local organisations to add value to the Town, its traders and residents and it will also provide Levy Payers with evidence that their financial contribution is being spent wisely.”