BBC Good Food Show at the
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Entrance prices to the show were on a par with last year. On the door
prices were £20.50 or £20 (includes £1.50 booking fee) if booked in advance. We noticed
whilst queuing to enter that several people had discounted tickets. It's worth looking for
them if you plan to visit in 2009. |
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GETTING THERE
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In 2007 we were stuck in a long queue to get into the car parks (see picture left) so
this year we arrived earlier, around 9.45. That worked well because we got into the car
park with very little queuing. The queues to get into the show were also shorter. |
The shuttle bus system worked well early in the morning with only a three minute wait until we were taken to the entrance. The journey takes only a couple of minutes. If you want to walk it will take about eight minutes.
CLICK ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT.
WHAT'S ON AT THE BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW
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Aside form the stalls, there's lots going on at the Good Food Show. First is the Supertheatre (£2 entry fee) which features shows by the top chefs. Great fun, but you will need to pre-book at the time you purchase the tickets to be sure of a seat. Book signings are there as well. Check on the times of these in the show brochure. |
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The other main shows, free of charge, feature a range of BBC chefs cooking some very interesting dishes. While we were there we saw Lesley Waters (see picture on left) cook a Prune Chocolate Mousse in the British Theatre. It certainly looked delicious. Other chefs who appear on free shows in the British Theatre include Gary Rhodes and Ainsley Harriott. |
Pick up the free show brochure when you enter and this will have the times of all the shows throughout the day in each of the the theatres. In 2008 the brochure also listed all the recipes being cooked at the show. These recipes make a great collection which you can refer to after the show.
The Magimix Theatre also features free shows throughout the day from top chefs such
as Rachel Allen, Alan Murchison, Angela Hartnett and Paul Clerehugh.
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The Wine and Beer Tasting events are not free but well worth attending. The
Wine tasting costs £2 and the Beer Tasting event costs £3.50. Sessions run throughout the day (see the free brochure for timings) and tickets can only be purchased at the Show Ticket Office. |
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Even if you don't attend any of the shows, watch out for celebrity chefs as you
wander around.
Paul Rankin attended the show on the Irwin's Bakery stand. he was demonstrating baking techniques and advising on Irish bread. Lots of soda breads, substantial fruit breads and much more were on offer. |
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The main exhibition area is divided up into different broad subject areas. The "food" section cannot be missed. If you keep a lookout for "tasters" on offer from the stalls then lunch will be a small affair! |
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On the left is a stall selling pork and venison sausages, tasty! On the right is our favourite supplier of garlic, the Garlic Farm. Try their oak smoked garlic, the flavour is spectacular. |
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Wandering round the various food stalls is a pleasure but it does start to get really crowded from around 11.45 onwards at the weekends. Try to get to the show early. |
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The gadget section of the exhibition is awash with new ideas and some not so new! The demonstrations are fascinating but think carefully before impulse buying another white elephant. One product caught our attention, the Diablo sandwich and snack toaster. No electric wires, easily cleaned, this makes the perfect toastie on the hob. |
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One gadget we did buy was the Garlic
Twist and we can assure you it does exactly "what it says on the can"! With normal garlic crushers, half the garlic is left in the crusher - wasted. the same goes for ginger. With the Garlic Twist you have perfect crushed garlic in seconds. No waste and all those aromatic juices are retained. We recommend it 100%. |
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On the left is Nicer Dicer, it looked impressive although we didn't buy. On the right is a silicon cake tin from Wellbake. Strange, a floppy cake tin! This idea may sound good, but no thank you! |
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EATING AT THE BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW BIRMINGHAM
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We ate at one of the many regular cafes. The prices were fine for a large show and the
quality of the food was good.
You might be a little bit more adventurous and try the Restaurant Experience. The idea is that you buy food tokens and then spend then on a selection of dishes on display in the food area. |
DISABLED FACILITIES
The disabled facilities are excellent with wheelchairs available and designated special
parking.
But, and it's a big but, getting round the show in a wheelchair is a challenging experience. The sheer number of people in the aisle makes navigation almost impossible. And beware the enormous number of trolleys being wheeled round.
CONCLUSION
Prices for 2008 were the same as for 2007 which is commendable. Even so, it's an expensive
event. But it is a memorable experience and you will come away enthused. The best costs, and
any Good Food Show is the best of its kind in the UK.
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