Recipe book kicks off Swaffham Food Week

A week-long celebration of all things gastronomic kicked off in Swaffham on Thursday with the launch of a new cookery book created by youngsters.

With townsfolk eager to get a little bit of culinary inspiration, The Guide to Yummy Food to Cook and Grow sold more than 150 copies within hours of going on sale.

With recipes from youngsters from all across Breckland the book also features tips on how to cook and grow your own food, a guide to picking and eating wild food, a garden year planner and lots of tricks on what to do with leftovers.

Vicki Mason, who designed the book, said: 'We have sold 150 copies in a day and considering they only came in at lunchtime that is great.

'We are all delighted and hopefully all 500 copies will be sold in the course of Food Week.'

As well as contributing recipes youngsters were also asked to come up with designs to illustrate the work.

With dozens of entries to choose from, Brittany Twiddy, 10, and Megan Lait, nine, who both go to Sporle Primary School, were eventually declared the winners and have now seen their designs transferred onto the book's front and back covers.

Brittany said: 'We are both very pleased. We were dancing round the classroom when we heard we had won.'

Every year, along with its partners, the Iceni Partnership organises a themed week in the town with previous themes having included energy and health.

As well as the book launch this year's week of food-based celebrations will also see exhibitions, food tastings and an international food festival.

Don Saunders, from Swaffham Family Action, who has been heavily involved in preparing for the event, said: 'The idea is to encourage people to eat fresh, local produce.

'The whole week is about healthy eating and getting people to grow their own produce and enjoy cooking it in a healthy way.'

Sunday will see the highlight of the week - a gastronomic food festival which is being held at Swaffham Community Centre in Campinglands from midday.