There are loads of food and drink events around the country each year. Here are some of the most popular ones, with confirmed dates for 2009. Let us know what we've missed out, and we'll add it to the list!

Alton Winter Beer Festival
31 Jan 2009
Hampshire
Held in aid of local charities, this festival gives you a chance to taste the offerings from several micro-breweries.
For more information, go to www.altonbeerfestival.co.uk

Rye Bay Scallops Festival
20 to 28 Feb 2009
Rye, East Sussex
Discover fascinating facts about local scallops, sample fabulous recipes and learn more about their preparation.
For more information, go to www.ryebayscallops.co.uk

Fairtrade Fortnight
23 Feb to 8 March 2009
Aiming to raise people's awareness of the Fairtrade movement and encourage people to buy more fairtrade products. There will be events around the country.
For more information, go to www.fairtrade.org.uk/

What have we missed? Let us know your favourite foodie event, and we'll add it to the list

Feast East
6-7 March 2009
Cambridge
Explore over 80 stands at this food festival, with the chance to watch demonstrations and enter competitions. For more information, go to www.feasteast.co.uk

Chester Food and Drink Festival 2009
10-13 April
Showcasing the region's impressive variety of top-quality produce from cheeses to meats and even chocolates.
For more information, go to www.chesterfoodanddrink.com/

Wear Valley Food Festival
18 April
Visit the largest food festival in the North East in the grounds of the historic Auckland Castle.
For more information, go to www.bishopauckland.org/

Real Food Festival
8 to 10 May 2009
Earls Court, London
Promising food from producers who believe everyone should have access to high-quality, healthy and delicious food.
For more information, go to www.realfoodfestival.co.uk/

Christchurch Food and Wine Festival
8 to 17 May 2009
Dine at local restaurants, shop at an international food market and participate in free cooking demonstrations.
For more information, go to www.christchurchfoodfest.co.uk/

Bristol Vegan Fayre
29 to 31 May 2009
Enjoy live bands, ethical fashion shows, cookery demonstrations and more at this guilt-free event.
For more information, go to www.visitbristol.co.uk/

Taste of Edinburgh
29-31 May 2009
Inverleith Park, Edinburgh
Sample food from some of the city's top restaurants and share kitchen secrets with some of the celebrity chefs.
For more information, go to www.tastefestivals.com.

What have we missed? Let us know your favourite foodie event, and we'll add it to the list.

BBC Good Food Show
10 to 14 June 2009
NEC Birmingham
Learn more and be inspired about food and drink with workshops, tastings, demonstrations and much more.
For more information, go to www.bbcgoodfoodshowsummer.com

Tynedale Beer Festival
11 to 13 June 2009
Northumberland
Sample quality ales and ciders from all around the UK.
For more information, go to www.tynedalebeerfestival.org.uk/

Taste of London
18-21 June 2009
Regent's Park, London,
Sample food from over 40 of the capital's hottest eating spots with the chance to meet some of the top celebrity chefs.
For more information, go to www.tastefestivals.com.

The Children's Food Festival
27 to 28 June 2009
Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Try your hand at bread-making, sushi-rolling, honey tasting and much more at this hands-on food festival for younger gourmets.
For more information, go to www.childrensfoodfestival.co.uk/

Taste of Birmingham
9-12 July 2009
Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham,
Sample signature dishes from some of the city's best restaurants.
For more information, go to www.tastefestivals.com.

Whitstable Oyster Festival
18 to 26 July 2009
Celebrating all that is best and unique to Whitstable, this annual festival promises street entertainment, traditional pageantry and of course, all things oyster!
For more information, go to www.whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk/

Pennine Lancashire Festival of Food and Drink
1 August to 30 September 2009
Enjoy a colourful carnival of great food and drink featuring Lancashire's top chefs, food producers and restaurants.
For more information, go to www.penninelancashirefood.co.uk

Chilli Fiesta
8 to 9 August 2009
West Dean Gardens, nr Chichester
Discover more than 250 different species of chilli and pepper with food tasting, chilli growing and cooking demonstrations.
For more information, go to www.westdean.org.uk/site/gardens/events/chilli.htm

Newlyn Fish Festival
31 August 2009
Cornwall
This fund-raising event for the Fishermen's Mission in Newlyn offers in-harbour entertainment with high-quality local and regional Cornish products related to the fishing industry, together with arts and crafts displays and much more.
For more information, go to www.newlynfishfestival.org.uk

What have we missed? Let us know your favourite foodie event, and we'll add it to the list.

Ludlow and the Marches Food and Drink Festival
11 to 13 September
Shropshire
Renowned for its excellent restaurants and food producers, this festival promises the best of local produce including rare breed meats, artisan breads, sausages and local cheeses.
For more information, go to www.foodfestival.co.uk

Soil Association Organic Food Festival
12 to 13 September 2009
Bristol
Celebrate all things organic with the very best food and drink, as well as fashion, skincare and homeware products.
For more information, go to www.visitbristol.co.uk

Scottish Food Fortnight
5 to 20 September 2009
Teaching people about the wide range of delicious high-quality, seasonal Scottish produce available.
For more information, visit www.scottishfoodfortnight.co.uk

British Food Fortnight
19 September to 4 October 2009
Buy and cook the best of British products and enjoy a healthy diet. Lots of events around the country.
For more information, go to www.britishfoodfortnight.co.uk

Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival
19 to 20 September 2009
Centred around Hastings' historic fishing beach, The Stade, you'll find a mouth-watering array of delicious local seafood and wines to sample.
For more information, to to www.visit1066country.com

The Great British Cheese Festival
26 to 27 September 2009
Cardiff Castle
Discover and taste over 460 sheep, cow, goat and even buffalo cheeses along with artisan wines, ciders, parries and beers.
For more information, go to www.thecheeseweb.com

Dartmouth Food Festival
21 to 25 October 2009
Devon
Showcasing local produce and culinary skills, enjoy cooking demonstrations and the chance to meet local chefs.
For more information, go to www.dartmouthfoodfestival.co.uk

Marlborough Feast of Food
24 October 2009
Wiltshire
Calling itself the best food and drink festival for the west of England, this festival promises everything for the lover of good food and drink.
For more information, go to www.marlboroughcancerresearch.org/

What have we missed? Let us know your favourite foodie event, and we'll add it to the list.