August's 7 best food and drink events

From garlic ice cream in the Isle of Wight, to an afternoon tea dedicated to cheese in Pimlico, we round up the best food and drink events across the country this month

Chomparama: live events help while away those in-between-meals times at River Cottage Festival in Devon

What better way to entertain your taste buds this summer than catching a dedicated food and drink event – from chillis in Dorset to gin in Birmingham. Here are seven of the best.

On heat: tasters take in the capsaicin at the Great Dorset

Great Dorset Chilli Festival, until tomorrow

Now in its seventh year, the Great Dorset Chilli Festival is on at the St Giles estate in Wimborne. Expect the popular pepper in all possible forms, from seeds to ceramics. Tips on how to make the best of chillis in cooking abound with demonstrations and talks on how to grow your own. Then there are the glorious tastings. And if you’re brave enough, try the Dorset Naga, which was once one of the world’s hottest chillis. Tickets are £6 in advance from greatdorsetchillifestival.co.uk/tickets

Sweet and savoury: London’s Georgian House hotel is cheese’d up to the max

Cheese-themed afternoon tea, throughout the month

Afternoon tea has been given a new twist at the Georgian House hotel in Pimlico, London – and it features another national favourite: cheese. It was supposed to only be a week-long pop-up but its popularity means it will now run every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month. The boutique B&B uses regional suppliers to create smoked cheddar Welsh rarebit, baked Sussex charmer cheddar and thyme scones with apple chutney and even sweet treats like ricotta and whisky-soaked apricots. Book 24 hours in advance, £35 per person. Email: reception@georgianhousehotel.co.uk; or call 0207 834 1438.

Just the tonic: a tipple to tickle all at the Birmingham Gin Festival (Birmingham Gin Festival)

Birmingham Gin Festival, 12 August

With more than 120 gins to try, you’ll have your work cut out. But with your entry ticket you’ll get a glass and a gin bible – along with sampling tokens – to give it your best shot. Set in the town hall, the day is split into slots from midday to 5pm and 6pm to 11pm. When you’re not tasting, listen to presentations from producers and watch cocktail demonstrations. Tickets are £13.50 from ginfestivalsuk.com

East is feast: halal meat cooks converge at the Tobacco Docks in east London (London Halal Food Festival)

London Halal Food Festival, 19 August

It’s the only halal gathering of its kind in the UK, with more than 100 vendors that come from around the world coming to the Tobacco Docks to show off their wares. Learn how to master meat, from the best cuts to marinades, and watch MasterChef winner Saliha Mahmood-Ahmed demonstrate her skills. And of course you can try some of the newest halal foods from baby food to prepared meals. But don’t leave before visiting the shisha lounge, and kick back with a mocktail. Adult halfday tickets start at £10. londonhalalfoodfestival.com/

Light bulbs: garlic complements everything from chicken to popcorn (Garlic Festival)

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival, 19-20 August

Join islanders as they celebrate the best of the Isle of Wight’s homegrown (and award-winning) pungent produce – but it’s not all strings slung around necks. The little bulbs have been turned into a plethora of things for from fudge and ice cream to popcorn, biscuits and sweetcorn. The nice people from The Garlic Farm in Sandown will be on hand to explain everything there is to know about cooking it, growing it and its health benefits. Tickets can be bought on the door for £10. Visit garlicfestival.co.uk/purchase-tickets

Peerless: A Taste of Donegal festival takes place in tents on the pier (A Taste of Donegal festival)

A Taste of Donegal food festival – 25 August

Set in front of the Bluestack mountains and Donegal Bay, the three-day-long festival brings together the best of the area’s food and drink to exhibit and sell their produce all in a tented village on the pier. There’s a plethora of chefs – form local to celebrity – who will be doing cooking demonstrations. Entry is €6 for adults and €1 for children. Visit atasteofdonegal.com/

Let’s hear it for the boys: strapping gents are ready to serve at the River Cottage Festival in Axminster in Devon

River Cottage Festival – 26-27 August

Bank Holidays are for eating, drinking and being outside. River Cottage Festival’s got all those things covered. For kids there’s foraging and yoga classes, while prominent chefs will demonstrate and give inspirational talks. Learn how to make the perfect curry and chapatti at one of the cookery masterclasses; or how to make wild cocktails, pizzas and sushi. Adult day tickets start from £17.50 and under-16s go free; adult weekend camping tickets are £85. Visit rivercottage.net/dining-and-events/river-cottage-festival-2017