Events in Christchurch

The Regent Comedy Club

The Regent Comedy Club’s May headliner is Andy Parsons. He will be appearing at the Regent on Wednesday 17 May.

Best known for his role on the hit show ‘Mock the Week’, Andy Parsons started his career writing for ‘Weekending’ and ‘Smith and Jones’. He went on to become one of the main writers on the ground-breaking ‘Spitting Image’. Andy has performed on numerous radio and TV shows including ‘Live at the Apollo’ and ‘QI’.

Joining Andy, is fellow ‘Mock The Week’ star Tom Ward, a special guest to be announced and Jarred Christmas as host.

All tickets £17 for an unforgettable evening of world-class stand-up comedy. Tickets are on sale at theregent. co.uk or 01202 499199.

Sample the delights of Christchurch Food Festival

If you enjoyed last year’s Christchurch Food Festival you don’t have long to wait until this year’s event.

And if you've never been to this highlight of the town’s calendar which takes place on Christchurch Quay, make a note in your diary as it runs from 27-29 May.

The event is organised for the benefit of the local community as well as visitors.

The mission is to reconnect people back to where their food comes from and to create a unique opportunity to get people thinking about how and why we eat the way we do, in a fun and creative format.

The aim of the festival is to get visitors trying, tasting and experiencing new things, and sharing delicious food and drink.

To give you an idea of the size of the festival, last year there were 120 artisan producers, 25 street food traders, plenty of entertainment, live sheep and a brilliant lineup of talented chefs.

Organisers seek out and handpick great food and drink producers working with sustainable and ethicallyminded traders so that visitors can discover unique and guaranteed quality.

They care about minimising our environmental footprint, supporting small businesses and the local economy and will be subsidising the best, small independent producers to take part.

This year as well as a great line-up of street food and craft drinks, they will be increasing the focus on produce and ingredients from the South and South West to bring visitors a truly unique line-up of extraordinary food and drink.

The opening hours are 10am-8pm on the Saturday and Sunday and 10am to 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

Highcliffe Food & Arts Festival

Saturday 10 June 10am-5pm / Sunday 11 June 10am-4pm

The directors of Highcliffe Food & Arts Festival say it will provide “wonderful shopping opportunities ranging from over a hundred artisan food and drink stalls, mainly situated in the High Street, to over sixty specially curated craft stalls, all of which will be on the Green.”

Celebrity chefs are too numerous to mention but include Cyrus Todiwala OBE.

Arguably London’s most celebrated Indian chef. He will be demonstrating his unique style of blending traditional Indian techniques and flavours with more unusual ingredients. See him on Sunday 11 June when he will share memories of his childhood in India with delicious recipes from his mother. James Golding, chef director of the Pig Group of Hotels. Christchurch-born James is becoming a TV personality with regular slots on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch. He and Lesley Waters be sharing their latest favourite recipes on Saturday. TV chef Lesley Waters, is a recognisable household name.

Once a regular part of the team of Ready Steady Cook (BBC2) and This Morning (ITV), she has written 20 cookery books.

Cyrus Todiwala

© Nitin Kapoor

If you like an emphasis on healthy, organic and seasonal food, head for Will Firmin, head chef and founder of Crow Spotter. He will appear with Peter Axworthy to share their favourite plant-based foods on Sunday 11 June.

But if sustainable fresh fish and shellfish is your choice, Russell Murphy from Russell’s Plaice may teach you a thing or two when he appears with Alex Aitken showcasing the latest fish. He’s a local fisherman, member of the RNLI crew at Mudeford Quay and catches his own fish with his crew.

Another chef making an appearance is Eduardo Sepulveda Lemus who is busy setting up Mental Lentil bringing delicious plant-based recipes to the south coast.

While visiting the festival you mustn’t miss the Little Craft Shack, which is bringing a curated selection of arts and crafts to The Green. They will share a love of handmade, beautiful and unique gifts.

Also on the Green is a Grow Your Own workshop with Highcliffe and Walkford in Bloom together with Highcliffe & District Horticultural Society.

Little Craft Shack will be at Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival

© Jo Jones

There will be all sorts of activities for children in the Kids Zone on the Green on both Saturday and Sunday.

And something else for the kids is a Kids Kitchen at The Old School in Lymington Road, but you have to book your space by 30 May. www.biscuitsbysarahb.co.uk

Cliffhanger Restaurant upcoming events

There’s a fabulous line up of events at the Cliffhanger Restaurant in Highcliffe. Here are just a few.

Royal High Teas abound on 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 May. Feast on an opulent array of sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries and enjoy an unforgettable experience over the extended Coronation weekend.

On 20 May a Boozy Brunch may tickle your taste buds and satisfy your thirst for adventure. From 11am-3pm it’s a fun-filled morning to indulge in a scrumptious spread of food and drinks.

And don’t forget Father’s Day. A Classic Cars & Roast is bound to fit the bill on Sunday 18 June from 12 midday until 4pm. Dad will get the chance to admire some of the most iconic and impressive vehicles of all time. There will be something for every car enthusiast to enjoy along with mouthwatering roast dinner. Book early to avoid disappointment. Tel: 01425 278058.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

It’s nearly time for the Christchurch Cheese and Chilli Festival.

Now in its ninth year, the 2023 event will bring a wonderful array of flavours, colours and experiences to Dorset come rain or shine.

For the first time this year, camping is available so check out the website for details.

There are also paid for activities including axe throwing! This may have to be seen to be believed.

What a lot of chillis

There will be cooking demonstrations and talks by professionals as well as street theatre with a fire performer, live music, the Verses Food Challenge and the Chilli Eating Competition, which is definitely not for the faint hearted, although it is a highly entertaining spectator event. On top of this there will be a huge range of children’s entertainment including Punch & Judy, crazy golf, magic shows, balloon modelling and giant bubble parties.

As well as all this there are cheese and chilli stalls, and even a taste tent where you can tickle your taste buds and cast a vote to tell the judge which sauces you prefer.

For added entertainment Highcliffe Charity Players will be performing on Saturday at 1pm and the Rock Choir on Sunday at 1pm.

So get down to the hottest event in town and set your taste buds alight and don’t forget to take the children, they will love it.