You probably already know that Liverpool is a city in the UK, not far from Wales, that overlooks the Ireland sea. And yes, it’s where Beatles were born.  

What you might not know, though, is that it takes food very seriously (and art, too: in 2012 try to visit the Liverpool Biennial that hosts emerging contemporary talents). 
At its fourth year, from September 3rd to the 12th The Liverpool Food & Drink Festival celebrates the food and drink offer of the city.  A whole Festival Week (from the 5th to the 12th), plus the launch days of the weekend (the 3rd and the 4th), dedicated to foodies of all sorts: high-end restaurants and chefs-celebrity will participate, but also small cafes and local producers. More than 70 top bars will join, too – don’t forget this is also about drinks. 
The schedule will keep you busy: although there will be plenty of time to taste everything, we took the liberty to point out what you really should not miss. 
This year, thanks to the large attendance of 30,000 people last year, the Festival Launch at Sefton Park has been extended for two days, Saturday September 3rd (from 10.30 AM to 6 PM) and Sunday September 4th (from 10.30 AM to 5 PM), packed with food events and curiosities for food and wine lovers. 
Excellent food and wine will be set for you in multiple themed dining areas, and you will stroll at the Festival Marketplace among producers selling the best regional food and drink: you can buy the treats and take them home or – why saving them for later? – eat them on site: Liverpool Cheese, sausages from Pen Y Lan Pork, Fudge from Ultimate Fudge Outlet, Chocolate from the English Chocolate Fountain Company…hard to pick!

Are you more eager to learn about food than to eat it? The Celebrity Chef Theatre sees the top chefs of the country, like Michelin star chef Marco Pierre White, along with established and rising stars in the North West, like Paul Askew (London Carriage Works) and Aiden Byrne (The Collingwood) entertaining the crowds with some special recipes. 
The Masterclass Theatre, instead, is for hands-on foodies: talks and demonstration will include cheese making with Paul Peacock, sushi making, seafood and oysters handling…
And if you have family, don’t worry about bringing kids over: the children’s interactive area will take care of them, teaching them smoothie making, cake decorating, sushi rolling…they are not going to get bored. 

Drinks will be protagonists, too: Malmaison Liverpool, one of the coolest hotel in town, will showcase a “version” of the hotel’s famous bar in the middle of a public park, serving champagnes to festival visitors.  

Live soundtrack of the Festival, the music entertainment program with jazz and acoustic bands that Peacock Bar set up for the event. 
Check the website (www.liverpoolfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk) for updates on Festival week events (with venues around the city), the Festival’s schedule with all the activities, opening times and ticket entries (children under 14 are free). And be sure to be there: food is a serious matter, indeed.