Mark Kacary of The Norfolk Deli to launch new West Norfolk food and drink festival in Hunstanton

A wide range of delicious foods will be on offer when a brand new festival comes to West Norfolk next month.

“It’s all about community and breathing life into the High Street”. Those are the words of Mark Kacary, the managing director of The Norfolk Deli in Hunstanton, who is launching the first West Norfolk Seasonal Food and Drink Festival.

This is his deli’s biggest project to date. As a member of Hunstanton’s Advisory Group and The Hunstanton Event Committee, Mr Kacary has long felt that the high street should offer its customers an experience they cannot get in a supermarket.

With the help of some funding from West Norfolk Council, he has therefore come up with the idea for the new festival – and the first one will take place on March 17.

He first had the idea towards the back end of 2022, and plenty of businesses based on Hunstanton’s High Street will be taking part.

“We have managed to secure the attendance of some fantastic Norfolk producers,” Mr Kacary said.

“Every business attending is a small Norfolk business. We have everybody from distilleries, breweries, and vineyards, as well as businesses making doggie treats, cake, bakes and and sweet things, porridge, honey, chili sauces, chocolatiers, jam makers, and more.”

Mr Kacary also entered this idea into the Dragons’ Den-themed Love your Town bid run by Norfolk County Council and supported by the borough council, delivering a pitch to approximately eight people. The idea succeeded and a small grant has been awarded to help launch the project.

“The high street is the soul of a town and without a living, breathing healthy high street you’ll struggle to find a real sense of community,” Mr Kacary said of the festival, which will be not-for-profit.

“This event could not be happening without the support of a lot of people, including the town mayor, town, borough, and county council as well as the support of the businesses in the high street.

“We want people who live in and around Hunstanton to re-engage with the businesses on the High Street and to show off to others that there is more to see here other than the sea.”

With approximately 30 traders expected on the high street alongside all the existing businesses in Hunstanton, there will be a lot to do and see when the festival takes place.

The first event starts at 10am and will run through to 3pm. Details on who will be at the event can be found here.

“Norwich and North Norfolk have for many years been the traditional locations for farmers’ markets and food festivals. In comparison it’s hard to think of many events like this in West Norfolk,” Mr Kacary added.

“I felt it was about time we do what we have been doing for the last ten years and find a way to showcase the extraordinary range of produce made in Norfolk to the people of Hunstanton and the wider area.

“We are hoping for fine weather and for as many people as possible to come and support this.”

Any food and drink producers located in Norfolk wishing to be part of this event can email mark@norfolk-deli.co.uk to learn more.