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With just four months to go before the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival, the organisers are proud to announce some major changes for 2014. Festival firsts include the Festival Feast Party, three new zones – a Kids Zone, a Start-up Producers Zone and a Festival Bakery -and there’s a new website.

The Festival takes place over the weekend of the 27-28 September and is followed by two weeks of Fringe Events, opening up the doors of some of East Suffolk’s farms and food and drink producers. Brilliant workshops, talks and special menus throughout the fortnight all celebrate local food.

The lively new website, www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk, is packed full of information and fun to use. It includes a behind-the-scenes blog, thelatest Suffolk food and drink news and an interactive map of Fringe Events. Tickets for the Festival and a busy programme of demonstrations, workshops and master classes with top chefs taking place over the Festival weekend can be booked online from July 1.

Festival Feast. There will be live music, street food and bars at this indoor street party on the evening of Saturday 27 September. A unique chance for visitors to share a drink and delicious local food with all who are part of the weekend, from celebrity chefs to food and drink producers, in an informal celebratory atmosphere. A limited number of tickets will go on sale online from July 1 for £5 (excluding food and drink).

The Kids Zone. Children of all ages can have fun and learn about food and where it comes from in a relaxed, safe environment. There’ll be children’s cookery workshops, food-related craft and face painting, and many other activities. Situated on the lawns, away from the bustling Courtyard, this is a space to let toddlers roam or lay out your picnic rug and relax. Children under 12 have free entry to the Festival.

Start-up Producers Zone. A dedicated area bringing together new, innovative small producers. Our 10,000 visitors will find some of the most interesting new food and drink products in Suffolk. 

The Festival Bakery. Baking bread throughout the Festival weekend, the Bakery is a collaboration between The Cake Shop Woodbridge (winner of ITV’s Britain’s Best Bakery 2014), Pump Street Bakery Orford (BBC Food & Farming Awards Producer of the Year 2013) and Marriages Flour. An exciting opportunity to see, smell and experience a real bakery in action. There will also be a series of hands-on bread making workshops.  

The Chefs. New faces include Sam and Sam Clarke – Moro, Morito; Marcus Verbene – Roast London; Natalie Coleman – 2013 Masterchef Winner and Jane Baxter, author of the new Leon Fast Veg cookbook. We welcome back old friends TV chef Valentine Warner; Thomasina Miers – Wahaca; Henry Harris – Racine Kitchen; and Michelin-starred Galton Blackiston. Diana Henry, food writer and Telegraph columnist will be hosting an Intimate Lunch, talking about her new book A Change of Appetite.