THOUSANDS of food fans flocked to Abergavenny today as town’s annual food festival opened its doors to the public.

Started in 1999 by two farmers, the Abergavenny Food Festival has grown to be one of the most popular events of its type in the UK, with around 30,000 people visiting every year.

Visitors navigating the winding streets of Abergavenny medieval market town could try new foods, chat to passionate producers and even receive master classes from top chefs.

This year’s guests included MasterChef: The Professionals presenter Monica Galetti — who opened the festival on Friday, September 16 — and Spanish culinary maestro Jose Pizarro.

Speaking with journalist Tony Gallagher at the festival, the award-winning chef said: “I love to come to Abergavenny, it is like my second home. A paradise for food and great place to see old friends.”

Elsewhere, the programme boasted a master class from Cyrus Todiwala, expert tips from Tim Hayward and sold out events from Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn of ‘Hang Fire Smokehouse’.

Snaking across several sites, the festival offered something for everyone, from chef demonstrations in the bustling Market Hall to the alluring smells of Chadwick’s Place cheese market.

Abergavenny Castle also played host to several events, including live music, dancing and the ‘Rude Health Rants’ corner — a place for the public to air their views on food issues.

Hidden within the ruins of the castle area, several children also donned their aprons at ‘Food Academy’, learning how to make their own baked beans in an interactive cookery class.

Lead by author Jenny Chandler and Nick Saltmarsh of Hodmedod Ltd, the session aimed to change perceptions on the British staple, exploring the origins of beans and tasty recipes to try at home.

Anna Price, 31, of Dingle Road, Abergavenny, attended the session with her two children Cerys, eight, and Shaun, five, and has visited the festival several times before.

“The kids enjoy coming here and I often pick up yoghurts and apple juices here. It’s good that this year residents who live in the area have been given discount to come.

“Some shops may complain and say that they don’t get the trade but at the end of the day the festival is bringing thousands of people into Abergavenny and the chances of visitors coming back is quite high.

“Sessions like ‘Food Academy’ help children learn about where food comes from and I wanted them to try it as they’re quite picky eaters.”

Jack Richardson, 44, of Weymouth, attended the festival for the first time this year after being invited family and friends, who are self-described ‘foodies’.

“It’s all good fun,” he said. “It’s not what I anticipated at all. I expected it to be in a field somewhere not across the town square itself.”

Festival-goer Dan Brennan, of Cardiff, added: “It’s an absolutely buzzing atmosphere and is great for Abergavenny because of the amount of people it brings in.”

Within hours of opening, the entire festival site was rammed with food tourists, with many sampling fresh produce and trying alcoholic tipples from festival’s new addition, ‘The Gin Palace’.

Every alley and side street also held a different surprise, from art exhibitions and crafts to ‘The Mushroom Man’ wood sculptures, which were created live in front of inquisitive audience.

As visitors moved between the different sites, the streets were flooded with laughter and music as street musicians and entertainers performed for the public.

A special performance by the Abergavenny ‘Sing With Us’ Choir also wowed crowds by the Market Hall, with around 90 choristers belting out popular classics in aid of charity Tenovus Cancer Care.

Choirmaster Paul Rothwell, said: “Around 100 people have made the effort to come here for the two performances today and the turnout for the festival is also great to see.

“The last time I saw this many people was at the National Eisteddfod this year and to have two massive events within a few weeks of each other is great for Abergavenny.”

While traders from across the UK showcases their wares on the day, the festival was also represented by several local traders from Gwent.

These included Trealy Farm Meats, The Untapped Brewing Company, The Parson’s Nose, Morgans Family Butchers and the wines of Ancre Hill Estates.

Operating from a stall on the high street, Monmouthshire Turkeys also had their hands full taking Christmas orders from customers.

Based at Cefn Maen Farm, Raglan, the business is run by Mrs Juliet Holt-Wilson, with the company showcasing at the festival every year since it was set up.

“We’re a bit of an oddity as we’re not doing anything but taking order for turkeys today,” she said.

“But it’s a foodie event and what we do is provide high quality produce so it marries really well.

“Abergavenny has a strong emphasis on ‘foodie credentials’ and there is such a massive footfall through the town at this festival sometimes you can’t see the other side of the street.”

Ms Tessa Turner, a former Monmouthshire Council ‘Food Initiative Project Officer’, helped found the festival after developing the idea of the founding farmers, Chris Wardle and Martin Orbach.

“The first year we couldn’t use the Market Hall as it was tipping down with rain we had about 2,000 people attend. From there it just grew and grew and spread out over the town,” she said.

“The festival ethos was always about having fun around food and although there was always a serious aspect to it was about trying to bring everybody in.”

Chief executive of the festival, Heather Myers, added: “The atmosphere in Abergavenny is electric, the sun has shone and we’ve been joined by thousands of people.

“Day two has been a roaring success and we still have fireworks at the castle party to look forward to.”

Tickets for the festival can be bought on the door and there are a limited number of master classes and special event tickets available to purchase from the Festival Box Office.

For the full line-up, festival maps and more information visit abergavennyfoodfestival.com.