Eating out at the Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival

Not arriving at the Festival until after 6.30pm and needing to set up the tent (rain imminent and only managed before it began due to help from Kai and his Dad - many thanks) we had taken our own food which we managed to eat after the late night music session in the beer tent at around midnight.
Saturday however opened our eyes to new culinary delights. In the morning the air was full of the smell of cooking bacon as the Hall staff - manning an outdoor kitchen - produced wonderful sandwiches with which to start the day. They then spent the rest of the day cooking hot pork rolls with apple sauce, the tastiest burgers from local Aberdeen Angus cattle and a variety of salads (much of which came from the Hall's walled kitchen garden) to complete the meal.
Opposite the Hall stand was the kitchen of  Green Saffron. This catering company had travelled from Southern Ireland to provide Indian cuisine which was second to none. Using fresh herbs and spices along with equally fresh meat and vegetables, they created edible works of art to rival the music to which we were being treated. Dishes who's names make the mouth water - Tamil style chicken dadagam, Kashmiri lamb rogan josh and the vegetarian Keralean red lentil dal all served with aged basmati rice and banana riata and salad. Even breakfast had an exotic twist with porridge with vanilla and apricots infused with star anise, spiced granola with mango lassi or bread and jam when the bread is cooked on site in wood-fired ovens.
All together the smells from the cooking area floated across the lawns awakening the senses with anticipation.
Liquid refreshment was to be found in the tea tent which served tea and coffee all day and very tasty cakes which ensured a very civilized afternoon teas at the appropriate time. The beer tent was open until midnight providing refreshment with the late night entertainment.
Most people go to a music festival for the music but if Burton Agnes continues to encourage food like we have had this weekend, then it will have people attending especially for the food.
A very satisfied corespondent
Alison Elgie-Heaton