I went to Foodie Sunday 2024 on Salisbury Market Square

On Sunday, September 29, Foodie Sunday returned to Salisbury and I went there myself to see what was on offer.

Unfortunately, the weather forecast had threatened wind and rain, so Salisbury City Council announced ahead of the big day that things may ‘look different’ from the original plans.

However, the rain held and the square was steadily buzzing with people throughout the day.

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I walked to the event myself at around 1pm – lunchtime. As a keen foodie myself, I wanted to make sure I tried a selection of food, perhaps a bit more than I would normally have on my lunch hour.

Firstly, I stopped at the ‘Hotdog and Doughnut man’ cart and ordered a hot dog with onions. A classic, but delicious.

Les and Sonya from The Hotdog and Doughnut Man' (Image: Newsquest)

Owners Les and Sonya were busy serving passers-by, in the perfect place to view of the stage.

“It’s been good, because of the weather we thought it was going to hamper the day, but it’s been kind to us”, Les said.

The pair added that a highlight had been working while listening to the Evolution Choir on stage in the morning, who performed between 10am and 11am.

After the hot dog, I got in a short queue with a friend to get a pizza from Davide's Pizza.

@salisburyjournal Foodie sunday in #salisbury! #foryou #foryoupage #foodtok ♬ be my baby - audios

The pizzas are all based on traditional Italian recipes made with fresh and local ingredients. It was delightfully cheesy, so much so that the cheese would melt off if you didn’t pick up a slice carefully enough. 

A sweet treat to complete our lunch was needed, and we went to Suzette’s pancakes, meanwhile enjoying the sound of Lauren & Hardy singing on stage.

Clare O'Leary from Suzette's Pancakes (Image: Newsquest)

I chose a Nutella pancake with fresh strawberries, and my friend opted for a chocolate sauce pancake.

Running the stall was Clare O'Leary who said: “It’s been lovely to see Salisbury buzzing. Salisbury needs this kind of vibrant event – I wish it had more of them!”

Back at the stage, mayor of Salisbury councillor Sven Hocking was announcing the winners of the Great Salisbury Bake Off, who each in turn were awarded with a certificate.

I was so full at this stage that the idea of taking part in the next event couldn’t be less appealing, so as the sausage eating contest began, I enjoyed watching it from the audience.

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Winner Josh Johnson said he felt ‘good’ to have won but didn’t think he’d win because he’d ‘had a bit to eat today.’ Clearly, he was too stunned by such achievement to comment further.

Josh won a Pritchetts voucher in the sausage eating contest (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Hocking told me that he had had a great day, and particularly enjoyed the foods from The Fabulous Catch Company (a fishcakes stand) Pepper Coast (Afro Caribbean Food), so I went to speak to the stalls myself.

Jack from The Fabulous Catch Company said: “It seems to have been good and steady, it’s been really nice.”

Rosie and Jack from The Fabulous Catch Company (Image: Newsquest) The crab samosas and crab cakes apparently sold the best, and if I’d not eaten so much I’d have tried one myself.

Yolande Mgbesso from Pepper Coast said: “It’s been very good! We thought the weather meant everything wouldn’t be very good but there’s lots of people around, and it’s busier than last year.”

Yolande Mgbesso from Pepper Coast (Image: Newsquest)

I thought this year's Foodie Sunday was great, and although things like the demo stage were axed in light of the forecast, I thought the team dealt with it well by offering a sheltered seating area and still having a music stage.

Councillor Hocking said: “I’ve been here since about quarter past ten this morning, and I first watched Morris dancing of two opposing sides!

“There’s lots of amazing stands, lots of people who we’ve not seen in the Market Square before which is fantastic.

“Everybody’s had a good day – I’m really happy with how it has gone and of course a big thank you to our sponsors – Reeves, Charter and Pritchetts.”

The variety was certainly there, and a huge footfall was present throughout the day. I think its something Salisbury should host more often, and I would definitely be back in a hurry!