Bradford garden centre marks British Food Fortnight with a summer food event

The best of Yorkshire produce will take centre stage as a Bradford garden centre prepares to host a tasting event to round off the summer.

Tong Garden Centre will hold its first ‘Taste' celebration of food and drink over the weekend of September 17 and 18 at its Tong Lane site.

Organisers at the garden centre have planned the event to coincide with the start of British Food Fortnight, theannual, national celebration of British food and drink.

"We're really looking forward to hosting our first ‘Taste' food and drink celebration and showcasing some of the best producers in Yorkshire to our visitors," said Jo Dales, marketing manager at Tong Garden Centre.

Many of Tong's 100 plus Yorkshire suppliers will be setting up tasting stands for people to sample their products. There will be everything from baked goods from Malton's Julyan The Baker and preserves from Holmfirth-based Peckish Kitchen to Wold Top Brewery's award winning ales and Yorkshire Drizzle's flavoured oils for visitors to try.

Jo added: "Whether it's sampling great food, entertaining the kids at Grass Hoppers Adventure Playground, or a spot of retail therapy, there will be something for everyone throughout the weekend. There will also be plenty of opportunities to taste the best of British food and drink in Grass Hoppers, the Coffee Shop and the Orchard Kitchen."

British Food Fortnight is a national celebration that has taken place every year since 2002.

It first began as a response to the foot and mouth crisis that hit the British farming industry and aims to encourage consumers to actively seek out British food.

Tong Garden Centre is one of Yorkshire's biggest independent garden centres with 110,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 1,000 cars.

Ends

Photo:Tong Garden Centre baker, Richard Milner

For more information or to arrange an interview with Jo Dales, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on;

Direct line: 01430 871360

Mobile: 07971 961574

E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk

Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk

Notes to editors

1. For more information about Tong Garden Centre, please visitwww.tonggardencentre.co.uk.

2. Tong Garden Centre is the largest independent garden centre in Yorkshire, located near Bradford, West Yorkshire. On site visitors will find anoutdoor plant department, shopping departments filled with garden furniture, gifts, home accessories and leading brands such as Mountain Warehouse, Brantano and Bonmarché, the Coffee Shop, Orchard Restaurant, and the children's outdoor adventure playground Grass Hoppers.

3. This year has marked a number of award successes for Tong Garden Centre, and it has recently joined the respectedGarden Centre Association. The garden centre has been shortlisted along with big tourism names from the region in the Outstanding Customer Service category of the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards with results to be announced later in the year.

4. Mark Farnsworth and Tom Megginson acquired Tong Garden Centre in May 2015 fromprevious owner Ron Harker, whose family had run the business since 1984.

5. Mr Farnsworth, also owner ofWilliam's Farm Kitchen, opened an outlet at Tong Garden Centre as part of the improvements. William's Farm Kitchen at Tong boasts abrand new butchery and bakery facilities as well as an extensive range of food and drink.

6. For more information about British Food Fortnight, please visitwww.lovebritishfood.co.uk