Plans are picking up pace for the city’s third Summer Food and Drink Festival on Sunday 27th May at Leicester’s famous market.

It is expected over 200 local producers, market traders and restaurant chefs will be descending on Leicester’s outdoor market for culinary cook-offs and sizzling food stalls next month.

In addition, there will be live entertainment and face painting for children.

Joe Harkin, festival organiser, commented:

“We see this festival as a reflection and celebration of the city of Leicester and the surrounding region. The crowds we have welcomed in the past have been vast and there is still time to get involved. We would particularly like to hear from some of our city centre restaurants and some new cuisines from the Polish and Somalian communities.”

In addition to a wide choice of local and international food, there will be a range of real ales to sample and buy, including Everards’ new Diamond Jubilee Ale.

To pick up a free sample of Everards’ new celebratory ale, pick up a festival flyer from the Market’s customer care centre, behind Bocca Cafe in the market, or the Tourist Information Centre, in Town Hall Square, and hand over on festival day!

In addition to Everards, the fully licensed Drink Zone, will include representatives from Langton Brewery and The Bottle Kicking Cider Company.

There will also be live cooking demonstrations from…

- Entropy

- The Almanack

- The Food Enterprise Workshop

And more, who will be confirmed here on the Leicester Market website shortly.

The Summer Food and Drink Festival will be FREE to attend and run from 11:00am until 5:00pm.

Anybody interested in setting up a stall, or appearing at the event should telephone Joe Harkin on 0116 223 2371 or e-mail joseph.harkin@leicester.gov.uk

For further information about all markets events follow Leicester Market on Twitter – @LE1Market, or take a look at us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LeicesterMarkets

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A mix of holistic therapists, complimentary treatments, spiritual practitioners, henna tattoo artists and alternative craft traders will be gathering at Market Corner for the first ever alternative fair.

The fair, which will be free to attend, will run from 10:00am until 4:00pm and see more than 20 stalls offering a wide variety of treatments and crafty treats.

Visitors will be able to experience a number of taster sessions, from head massages, seated acupressure, Reiki and Hopi ear candles. In addition, there will be Tarot readings and stalls selling candles, crystals and incense.

Joe Harkin, market development manager at Leicester City Council, said:

“The mind, body and soul movement is becoming very popular, so I think this new fair will prove a big hit with the public. It is exciting to be able to offer something a little different.”

Jacqui Bailey, who runs Jacqui’s Complementary Therapies in the city, has signed up for the first three Solstice fairs.

Jaqui added:

“We will be looking to offer a snapshot of the range of services that I offer from my main base as well as some retail products. I am looking forward to the Solstice fairs as this is a great opportunity to reach out to a new audience.”

Following Saturday’s event, the fair will be held on the 3rd Saturday of every month.

For further information about the fair and Leicester Market, follow us on Twitter @LE1Market and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LeicesterMarket

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‘Solstice’ is a new holistic, alternative and spiritual fair, which will take place on the third Saturday of each month at Market Corner.

If you are interested in trading at Leicester Market’s ‘Solstice’, download our Trader Booking Form by CLICKING HERE and return it to Leicester Market.

For further information on ‘Solstice’, follow Leicester Market on Twitter – @LE1Market, or ‘like’ us on Facebook by clicking here.

Also, keep checking back here at www.leicestermarket.co.uk as further details are confirmed.

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Offering some of the finest arts, crafts and accessories from Morocco, the specialist market can be found on Leicester’s Humberstone Gate as part of a UK tour of 15 cities.

The Moroccan market will stand in Humberstone Gate from Monday 7th May to Friday 12th May, and gives shoppers the chance to wander among 40 traditional Berber tents whilst enjoying the sounds of live music from the resident Gnawa band.

Shoppers will also be able to sample the flavours of Morocco at a range of stalls selling freshly prepared food.

Among the wide variety of traditional Moroccan handicrafts for sale will be rugs, leather goods, jewellery, ceramics and glasswork including tagines and tea glasses, decorative brass and metalwork and a mouth-watering selection of herbs and spices.

The Moroccan Market of Handicraft will be open from 9:00am until 5:00pm, for five days only.

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This year’s food and drink extravaganza will take place on Sunday 27th May 2012, with trading commencing at 11:00am and finishing at 5:00pm.

For more information or to book in to trade, contact Joe Harkin on 0116 223 2371.

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‘Solstice’ is the market’s new holistic, alternative and spiritual fair, which will take place on the third Saturday of each month.

A host of stalls will be selling a variety of goods and services, encapsulating the fair’s various alternative themes.

If you are interested in trading at Leicester Market’s ‘Solstice’, download the Trader Booking Form by CLICKING HERE and return it to Leicester Market.

For further information on ‘Solstice’, follow Leicester Market on Twitter – @LE1Market, or ‘like’ us on Facebook by clicking here.

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Sticky Chicken Drumsticks

This dish is another delicious option for either the BBQ or indoors.

Full of flavour and wonderfully messy, these drumsticks are fantastic for social get-togethers and are so easy to cook.

Ingredients (serves 4)

8 chicken drumstocks
2 tbsp of soy sauce
1 tbsp of honey
1 tbsp of olive oil
1 tsp of tomato puree
1 tbsp of Dijon Mustard

1. Make three cuts on each of the chicken drumsticks. Mix together the soy sauce, honey, oil, tomato puree and Dijon Mustard.
2. Pour the resulting mixture over the chicken drumsticks, coating thoroughly. Leave to marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.
3. Heat your oven (or BBQ). If using an oven, head to 200C (fan) or 180C (gas-mark 6).
4. Tip the chicken into a shallow roasting tray and cook for 35 minutes, turning occasionally until the chicken is tender and coated well in marinade.
5. Serve up a treat!

TIP: This marinade is also perfect with chicken wings and pork, especially spare ribs.

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Minted Lamb Burgers

Is there anything better than firing up the BBQ on a hot summer’s day?

Why not try a burger with a difference? Swap regular beef for the deep flavour of lamb, with a hint of mint in these easy-to-make minted lamb burgers.

And the great thing is, if British summer brings with it the traditional rain, they’re just as delicious cooked under the grill inside!

Ingredients (serves 4)

500g lamb mince
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped or crushed
1 tbsp of fresh mint, chopped
1 tbsp of fresh coriander, chopped
1 egg, beaten Black pepper, to taste

1. Pre-heat your grill or BBQ.

2. Combine the mince, onion, garlic, mint and coriander with the egg in a large mixing bowl, seasoning the mixture with black pepper.

3. Shape the burger mixture into four large patties and place on the BBQ (or grill) and cook for 15 minutes, turning every now and again until browned on each side and cooked through.

4. Serve inside a floury bun with your choice of condiments.

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It is all change on one of the upper floors of Leicester’s Indoor Market, as half-a-dozen new traders within the last six months have sprung into action to create a real eclectic mix of goods within the city’s hidden shopping gem.

Like waiting for a proverbial bus to come along – nothing happens and suddenly there is nearly a whole level of brand new traders!

From left to right, as you walk up from the steps nearest to Market Corner, look out and discover the following – as they are all new businesses trading at Leicester’s Indoor Market.

Red House Photographic
Owners – Alan Higgins and Sharon Owen

Specialists in personalised t-shirts, garments, personalised gifts, canvas printing and poster printing

Tel: 0116 3192426

Mob: 07747 789402

Email: sales@redhouse-photographic.co.uk

Web: www.redhouse-photographic.co.uk

Facebook: Red House Photographic

Twitter: @Red_House_Gifts

Beauty Bee
Owner – Tara Barry

Nail bar, spay tans and all things beauty!

Mob: 07864 217997

Email: beauty-bee@live.co.uk

Facebook: Beauty Bee

Twitter: @Beautbee6

Revamp
Owner – Donna Lavithi

A breath-taking array of gothic inspired merchandise. Ranging from skulls, crystals and ornate fantasy figures

Andy’s Records
Owner – Andy Warburton

A who’s who of classic vintage vinyl, plus authentic and unique retro music clothing. A must for all die-hard music fans out there

Inspire Creations
Owner  – Sharon Norwell

Offer a wide variety of handmade gifts, card-making and scrapbooking supplies at very competitive prices. Having been a crafter for over six years, we really want to bring crafters products that they cannot get anywhere else in the city.

We only stock supplies we use and trust ourselves and also offer a loyalty scheme for all customers at our shop (level 3-C10) inside Leicester Indoor Market.

From April, we will also be offering card-making classes on a Wednesday and Saturday that are suitable for beginners and regular crafters.

A great opportunity to try new techniques and meet like-minded people.

Our classes start from £5.50 and include all materials used.

Mob: 07917 181839

Email: inspirecreationz@yahoo.co.uk.

Web: www.inspirecreationz.com

Facebook: inspirecreationz

Cheron’s
Owner – Cheron

We sell low priced cosmetic make-up (branded and non-branded). Fashion scarves, bandanas, pashminas, silk scarves, fashion jewellery, sterling silver jewellery, perfume and aftershave

Mob: 07888 758890

Kungu Designs
Owner – Ahmed Kungu

A collection of my own work of mixed medium paintings, printmaking and woodcarving. Also available are acrylics on canvas, art on textile wall-hangings, hand painted t-shirts. Many of the works feature images of endangered wildlife species from around the world and celebrate the culture and diversity of people

Mob: 07975 599990

Email: kungudesigns@yahoo.co.uk

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On Saturday 7^th April, we will be hosting competitions in two age groups, with three winners from each age group winning a brand new bike!

The bonnets will be judged on the day by the panel, but youngsters should make their creations at home and then bring them to the market on the day, where they will take part in a catwalk show to display their creations.

Make sure you get down to Leicester Market between 10:30am and 11:00am to register, with activities getting underway shortly after!

All entrants will receive an Easter egg for taking part!

Come down to Leicester Market and enjoy this fantastic Easter tradition!

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