Tickets are now on sale for the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink “Spring Harvest” Festival. As always, there is a strong focus on seasonal Sussex ales, wines and local food which will be celebrated over a course of events including gourmet bus tours, markets, beer and Champagne festivals and pudding clubs running from 1st–10th April.



Top event for me would have to be the Sussex Gourmet Tour, Saturday 2 April, 9.45am - 5.30pm, £40 in advance. Traveling around Sussex on a vintage Brighton bus, to numerous tastings at some of the finest local food producers across the county, including artisan cheeses, ales and wines? Yes please! Places are very limited.

Hotel Du Vin will be hosting this year's Champagne Festival on Sunday 3 April, noon - 8pm, £20 and, appropriately, Pub Du Vin will host the Beer Festival, Friday 1 & Saturday 2nd April £3-5 depending on session. I’ll be at both (hic).

Brighton & Hove’s first Restaurant Week will run from April 1st to 8th, with restaurants, cafés and gastropubs offering ‘prix fixe’ menus. The restaurants will be offering £10 lunch and £15 dinner menus; and cafés a £5 deal. Bargain. Terre á Terre, L'Eglise, Moshi Moshi and Pub Du Vin are confirmed and I've been meaning to try out Sabai Gastro Bar, The Old Bank and Agua Dulce, so this would be an ideal opportunity.



One of my Brighton favouries, Boho Gelato, is hosting the Great Brighton Ice Cream Competition and where children are invited to design an all-new ice cream flavour for this summer. The winner will be crowned at the Live Food Show and will get to see their ice cream made, as well as winning a giant tube of ice cream and cones to enjoy with their school mates. How cool is that! Even though I’m short enough to enter, I’m sadly too old. Entries to: shosh@childfriendlybrighton.co.uk

On the subject of sweet, I like the idea of The Pudding Club at Temptation Cafe. A main course will be followed with not one but SIX puddings. Friday 8 April, from 7.30pm, £25 in advance.

New Road will also be the home of the Big Sussex Market from 10am to 6pm on April 2nd where you can buy fab Sussex produce or hot food from some of Brighton’s restaurant stalls.

Finally, public voting for the Brighton & Hove Foodies will also start on the 1st, seeking the city’s best restaurant, food pub, café and food shop. Have your say at www.brightonfoodawards.com.

Full details of all the events can be found at www.brightonfoodfestival.com