THE wet weather did little to dampen the appetites of the thousands of people who flocked to the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival this weekend.

Rumbling tummies were soon satisfied with the wealth of local food and drink on offer at the event at Snape Maltings.

This is the fifth year the festival has run and aims to promote Suffolk produce. It started on Friday with a conference looking at eating habits and continues until October 9 with other fringe events across the east of the county.

As well as showcasing the cream of Suffolk’s food and drink producers with more than 70 exhibitors, the main weekend also included cookery demonstrations from celebrity chefs, like Valentine Warner, Matthew Fort and Ruth Watson.

Australian chef Brett Graham, whose Ledbury restaurant in Westbourne Park recently replaced Gordon Ramsey at Claridge’s at the top of the 2011 Zagat guide, was also on hand to share his culinary wisdom.

There were also a variety of workshops and seminars, and a one-off music concert where the instruments played were vegetables.

President Lady Caroline Cranbrook said: “This weekend has been absolutely fabulous.

“Although it has rained, it has done little to dampen the spirit of the public and the crowds have continued to flock in. Everyone says the festival has a wonderful atmosphere.”

She added that as well as promoting the local produce and making it financially beneficial to the exhibitors, the other purpose of the festival was to put people in touch with where their food comes from. Although it’s a little early for the official count, organisers believe the weekend had a record attendance.

Alesha Gooderham, one of the festival’s organisers, said: “Our local food and drink producers are something this county can be proud of.

“The festival is a celebration of the quality and variety that Suffolk has to offer. We are very focused on educating children about food.

“We are fortunate to live in the countryside and it is important to teach them where food comes from and the importance it plays in their future.”

For more details on the other fringe events visit www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk