On Sunday 10 October, from 10.30am – 4.30pm, Wells Food Festival will return to its rightful place: in the medieval heart of England's smallest city.

With the support of the festival headline sponsor, Charlie Bigham's, this year's free, family event is set to be a jam-packed celebration of Somerset's rich and diverse producers.

"After a really challenging 18 months for our artisan producers we are determined to make this festival our best yet," says Jon Abbott, festival director. "We were obviously proud to be able to support them with a virtual event in 2020, but there's nothing quite like the real thing for the full experience, meeting and talking with the people behind our finest food and drink."

More than 150 producers and street food sellers will be in the Artisan Market, showcasing the extensive range of fine food and produce that comes from the region. Stalls will stretch from the Market Place, along the Moat and into the Recreation Ground and the Bishop's Barn.

There are several producers from Frome and the surrounding area. Little Jack Horner, makers of award-winning sausage rolls will be making a welcome return. Truly local, 100% of their outdoor-reared, free-range pork and chicken comes from local high welfare small-holdings and farms in East Somerset and North Dorset.

Still Sisters will be making a debut. The award-winning gin is crafted by two sisters from Frome using locally grown and sourced botanicals. "We are excited to exhibit at Wells Food Festival for the first time and introduce our locally distilled Gins," says Sarah Jefferis. "We will be there to offer plenty of samples and hope visitors enjoy our products!"

Frome business, Hejgrow, will be wowing visitors with its foraged preserves, made with local natural ingredients from Somerset woods and meadows, whilst Claude the Butler will be serving up great coffee, teas and home-baked cakes from the characterful vintage Citroen HY van, 'Claud'.

In addition to the Artisan Market, there are some new feature areas to explore, starting with a celebration of English wines in the Recreation Ground. Local vineyards will be represented alongside those from further afield.

Ben Franks, of Novel Wines in Bath, will be sharing his passion for English wine with three exclusive tasting sessions during the day. The themes are: Bacchus wine from different regions; a wine and canapé pairing; English fizz.

The tasting sessions are £12 each (£15 for the wine & canapé) and can be booked at wellsfoodfestival.co.uk

Meanwhile, there is lots to entertain younger visitors starting with an interactive Gingerbread Man Trail. Pick up a map at the entrance with clues hidden in each of the main areas. A prize awaits all correctly completed sheets.

Simon Gray and his team from Fun Kitchen, an award-winning pop-up cookery school, will be providing four cookery sessions throughout the day for children aged 3+.

With a focus on seasonal food, and full of informative fun, children will have the chance to get stuck in and create their own Apple Scone Bread Twist. The cookery sessions are free to join in but numbers are limited so head over to the Fun Kitchen marquee in the Recreation Ground early on the day and book a place.