This weekend, challengers will be chowing down on seasonal greens, with the hope of breaking an unusual World Record.
On Sunday 19th May, Alresford in Hampshire will play host to the annual Watercress Festival, where the quirky World Watercress Eating Competition will undoubtedly be the highlight.
The first big event of the day will be the Festival Cavalcade at 10am. Expect a vibrant procession of Morris dancers, musicians and local school children heading through the town. As the cavalcade passes along, festival goers will be given watercress, fresh from the farm, by the Watercress King and Queen, who will be travelling by traditional horse and cart along the street.
Throughout the day there will be cookery demonstrations from professional chefs and past Master Chef champions in the Demo Unit, as well as music and dance on the Main Stage on Broad Street. There will also be a Kids Zone with circus skills, Punch and Judy, and falconry displays.
The main highlight, the World Watercress Eating Championship, will take place on the main stage at 3pm. Competitors will be aiming to munch their way through one 85g bag of fresh watercress (washed down with a small bottle of water) in the fastest possible time. The Guinness World Record currently stands at an admirable 32 seconds. Anyone is welcome to take up the challenge, just sign up by 2.30pm on the day.
If you don’t fancy that much watercress in one go, there will be plenty of stalls at the festival selling all types of watercress themed goodies. Stalls usually include a mix of pies, cheese, tarts, and even fudge. Each year the festival challenges stall holders to come up with the most creative way of including watercress in their products.
When: 19th May 2019
Where: Alresford, Hampshire
£: Free admission
More info: www.watercressfestival.org
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