An array of fine food and drink producers will take over the Italian Gardens later this month as eat:Weston returns to town.

This month’s festival is set to be the biggest yet, as eat:Weston is also hosting Made in North Somerset – a celebration of local food, drink, art and craft.

The eat:Festivals team have enjoyed a busy spring and summer with festivals delivered in 12 towns across the South West, including Clevedon, Wells and Lyme Regis.

The dynamic duo is now looking ahead to their next set of festivals where they will be sharing their love of local, seasonal produce.

Weston Mercury: Organisers Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds.Organisers Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds. (Image: Archant)

Sarah Milner Simonds explains what makes the festivals so popular. She said: “Every town we work with is unique – offering us fresh opportunities for making local connections, discovering new producers and creating new habits.

“We find some real gems as we are out and about, and we love sharing our discoveries with visitors at our one-day events.

“Partnerships with businesses like Thatchers Cider enable us to reach even more businesses and the bursary which they sponsor is helping eight brand new producers make their first steps into face-to-face trading this year.”

Weston Mercury: Haverslice pizzas will be on sale at eat:Weston.Haverslice pizzas will be on sale at eat:Weston. (Image: Thatchers Cider)

Haverslice and T’ease Kitchen - two of the Thatchers Cider bursary recipients - will be trading at eat:Weston on September 25.

Haverslice pizza was set up by George and Kate Havercroft in Burnham during lockdown. While T’ease Kitchen produces hot pithiviers and puff pastry pies.

Weston Mercury: Food from T'ease Kitchen will be on offer at eat:Weston.Food from T'ease Kitchen will be on offer at eat:Weston. (Image: Thatchers Cider)

Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider maker at the Somerset producer, said: “The range and quality of first-time traders at eat:Festivals continues to impress and reinforces the fact that the West Country is a hive of food and drink talent.

"In particular, we’re delighted to support those who have started their businesses over the past 18 months. Establishing a new business is hard at the best of times, but to do this during a pandemic deserves much praise.”

All producers are following an enhanced version of the Government’s guidance with mandatory sneeze screens; enhanced cleaning regimes; encouraging contactless payment, hand sanitiser stations and lots of space between stalls.

The festival is taking place on September 25 from 10am-4pm.