FOOD, glorious food. A sweltering Master Park was the place to be on Saturday for all manner of mouth-watering treats – courtesy of the first-ever Oxted Food Festival.
Months of preparation paid off as 3,000-plus people converged on the park, off Church Lane.
Awaiting them were almost 40 stalls selling a vast array of goodies – everything from smoked salmon and milkshakes to hot dogs and Thai cuisine served from a tuk tuk.
Cooking demonstrations were presented by BBC Ready Steady Cook chef and Reigate restaurateur Tony Tobin, and also Michelin-trained Maxwell McKenzie, who has previously run pop-up restaurants in Reigate and Oxted.
Other attractions included live music, ranging from a rock band to a harpist.
There was plenty to keep younger visitors entertained with free cooking lessons, a play tent and colouring competitions.
Co-organiser Nelly Kloet said: "The day went really well, with an attendance much higher than we forecasted. Some food stalls sold out midway into the afternoon.
"There was such a nice atmosphere throughout the event, and we got some positive feedback from visitors afterwards."
She said attention has already turned to how to make next year's food festival bigger and better.
