Twenty five food producers open their doors to visitors this August in the first county food tour set in the rolling hills of deepest Herefordshire. Cider, vodka, wine, chocolates, ice cream and organic produce will all be available to sample while getting a behind the scenes look during the first ever Herefordshire Food Week running from 13th to 21st August. Many producers are opening for the first time and some are putting on special events to attract visitors.

'This is a chance for foodies and families to visit some of the best food makers in the UK, at home,' says Andy Dawson of Herefordshire Council, who have organised the event. 'You get to see how they grow and make food and drink, sample the delicious results and all set in one of the most unspoilt rural havens in the UK.'

Visitors will use a free brochure to plan their own itinerary around as many food locations as they like. Big yellow Food Week signs in hedgerows and on farm gates will help them find their way to some of the remote producers. The week is revving up with lots of additional events and happenings being added at the last moment. We have Food Champion Just Rachel Desserts hosting an evening of puddings on Monday night and the Great British Food Cyclist freewheeling his way through the county on Thursday and Friday.

The week kicks off at Mayfields Brewery offering a tour of their facilities in Leominster - 2pm Saturday 13th. Even further north at Lower Buckton, local foodist Carolyn Chesshire will be offering her famous and unique 'cook-demos' on Tuesday - book now for a feast for the eyes and mouth. Thursday sees the Hereford Farmers Market get underway with a children's' quiz and family BBQ. There will be a prize draw too - 9am to 2pm in the High Town. And during Thursday we expect the arrival of Tim Keates on an ancient butcher's bike that he has peddled all the way from John O'Groats in his three-week quest for good food in the UK. British Cassis will be hosting him that night for a gala evening of local food, and then on Friday Tim will set off across the county on his way to Land's End. Saturday 20th sees the big open day at Wye Valley Brewery with free tours and tutored beer tastings plus live music and competitive BBQ demonstration.

The Discover Hereford tourism shop in Hereford city centre will be offering a range of tasting of local food each day (closed Sundays) during the Food Week. For more information visit www.herefordshire.gov.uk/foodweek or call 01432 383064.

'Let us go forward together and rediscover the glory of Great British food and drink.' is a nation-wide campaign aimed at getting people back in touch with the great British food that's on their doorsteps throughout the land. A cycle ride is planned which will create a 'food-chain' through Great Britain.

Eccentric foodie Tim Keates, tweed-clad and moustachioed, will pick up and drop off delectable samples of Great British food to Great British people as he pedals on his merry way through these islands. But of course, foreign guests are more than welcome at the celebration. We are proud, not ashamed, to share our national cuisine - or should that be 'national kitchen'? So, organic butchers, artisan bakers and box-scheme makers - you are all invited to take part.

The Great British Food Cycle will champion food heroes like you from North to South. Starting in August 2011 on the edge of the sea in Scotland and finishing a month later at Land's End, travelling through the countryside at a butcher's bike pace, the cycle ride will create a unique experience through gastronomic Britain.

More and more people are asking about the providence of their food, and how they can get the most flavour and nutrition for themselves and their families. We are turning a spotlight on great local farmers, growers, retailers and chefs the length of the country.

We want to meet the dinner ladies who create fresh, wholesome food for our children; farmers and growers who walk the fields and love their land, and plan for biodivercity and good stewardship; brewers, bakers and millers who have revived heritage varieties, and time-honoured values; community-owed shops, centres who provide neighbourhood lunches for those who can't provide for themselves; professional chef who insist on using the whole animal and seasonal local vegetables.

This remarkable project draws inspiration from the Slow Food movement, The Soil Association, local food network schemes and quality food stewardship. The route is not yet planned but will be determined by people who call, write or email to register producers and growers and bakers along our suggested direction of travel.

We pick up a package and deliver it ever eastwards. On the way, we pick up something else, before we drop off the first parcel. Creating a round-robin, or chain-link effect to our deliveries. Tim's butcher's bike is a 1930's Grundle Model T with only a single gear and rod brakes. Speedy it is not. We expect to cover approximately 55 miles a day at a comfortable cycling pace.

Before the cycle begins we will have a set number of pick-ups, so we will know our basic route. From that route accommodation for Tim will have been booked, along the way. If you would like to join us, we request you supply all of your own cycling equipment, and be wholly responsible for it and yourself. Each Day there will be an itinerary and a simple route map. We will set off from an agreed start point, at the same time each morning. Example: 9am sharp, Clocktower, The High Street.

The journey is a celebration, and as such will be light-hearted, but professional. The Highway Code will be observed at all times.

http://www.greatbritishfoodcycle.org.uk/
Tim will be cycling through Herefordshire during Thursday 18th and Friday 19th August.

Wye Valley Brewery will be participating in Herefordshire Food Week, with the brewery shop open all week (Monday 15th to Friday 19th August) from 9am to 4.30pm offering samples of our beers so you can try before you buy. In addition, we will be opening our doors for a special Brewery Open Day on Saturday, 20th August. There will be free brewery tours running all day plus tutored beer tasting sessions with our Head Brewer Jimmy Swan so you can find out exactly what makes the BBC Food and Farming Awards Best Drinks Producer so special.

We will have 5 delicious Wye Valley Brewery cask-conditioned beers on the bar for you to enjoy, including our August special - Summer Sting - brewed with organic Herefordshire Nettles and a new special brew of a pale smooth beer called Hop Stringer using a new local Hop Variety. In addition Legges of Bromyard will be here with a gourmet sausage Barbecue featuring special beer recipe sausages and local craft bakery Loafers will be bringing special handmade beer breads for you to try and buy. To add further to the day, we will have a Barbecue demonstration from competitive Barbecue team the Dean Order of Smokers and Girders and fantastic live music from Tom Browning.

Why not leave the car behind and use public transport, as the Number 420 Hereford to Worcester bus stops right next door to the brewery (Plough Inn, Stoke Lacy) and takes only 20 to 30 minutes from Hereford and 10 minutes from Bromyard or circa 45 minutes from Worcester? Wye Valley Brewery look forward to welcoming you.

Herefordshire’s first ever Food Week is from Saturday, 13th to Sunday, 21st August and the Herefordshire Farmers Market group will be celebrating with a special event on Thursday, 18th August in High Town Hereford. For children there will be a Farmers Market Quiz with a chance to explore the market and learn more about some of the food and drink on sale. There is an added incentive of a free sticky bun, provided by Lorentzen Bakery, for all completed entry forms.

In addition the barbecue will be sizzling in the centre of the Farmers Market with an opportunity to sample a wide range of products from across the market, from beef, pork and lamb to chutneys, salads and fresh fruit and vegetables. The chef of the day will be Mick Clifford who will be opening the Crown and Anchor in Lugwardine in September.

The market starts at 9am and finishes at 2pm, children’s quizzes will be available from any of the market stalls, but come early to ensure you have time to complete the quiz and claim your sticky bun.

The new Discover Herefordshire Centre, in King Street Hereford, is the place to go for a free taste of Herefordshire goodness during Food Week, which runs from Saturday, 13th to Sunday, 21st August. The former Tourist Information Centre is still just that; an informative place to go for what’s on and places to go around the county, but will be offering free tastings of a variety of scrumptious Herefordshire produce to anyone calling in for a sample.

Every day at 11.00am during Herefordshire Food Week, the Visit Herefordshire team will be welcoming you to try the following delights from local producers, who will also be appearing at the Flavours of Herefordshire Food Festival on 22nd to 23rd October 2011.

- Saturday, 13th August - Asiri Foods Pickles and Chutney
- Monday, 15th August - Pixley Berries Blackcurrant Cordial
- Tuesday, 16th August - Pams Preserves Jams, Jellies and Marmalades
- Wednesday, 17th August - Rowlestone Court Dairy Ice Cream
- Thursday, 18th August - Franks Luxury Biscuits
- Friday, 19th August - Celtic Marches Beverages Brandy based Liqueurs
- Saturday, 20th August - Celtic Marches Beverages Brandy based Liqueurs

Please note that producers' days may be subject to change and if you wish to sample a certain product, please call The Discover Herefordshire Centre on the day 01432 268430 to confirm availability.

In addition to tickling your taste buds you may also find some exciting new additions to the centre as it is swiftly developing into a fantastic destination from which to buy gifts and foodie treats all made in Herefordshire. Plenty of artisan products including fashion accessories, homeware, jewellery and art are all on display to make this not just a place for visitors but an excellent calling point for the local shopper. Stop by and see for yourself.