Food fair proves a tasty triumph; CULTURE: New event predicted to become a significant summer fixture.

Byline: Paul Dale

BIRMINGHAM'S first international food fair has been hailed a success after attracting a quarter of a million visitors in just nine days.

The event, which featured more than 60 stalls, was based in Victoria Square and New Street in the city centre.

It showcased dishes and flavours from a wide range of countries, including France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Australia, Britain and the Far East, and was labelled a huge success by Birmingham City Council leader, Coun Mike Whitby.

He predicted the fair would become a regular summer fixture in the city centre, and could even grow to rival the Christmas German market.

Coun Whitby said: "The summer fair has been a big success and one we'll look to build on over the next few years. The visitor figures show a definite appetite for a summer sister to our now worldfamous Frankfurt Christmas Market.

That event has grown from 200,000 visitors in 2001 to a massive 2.8 million last year.

"And, with Birmingham playing host to the 2009 Rotary International Convention last week, the event perfectly showcased our multicultural city to visitors from across the globe, enhancing Birmingham's reputation as a destination city." Francois Mauraisin, of Geraud UK, one of the fair's organisers, said he also believed the summer event would grow along the lines of Christmas sibling.

He said: "This has been a fantastic event and the traders have been made to feel very welcome.

"The success shows there is defi- nitely an appetite for the International Food Fair in Birmingham and I expect it will be even bigger next year."

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Gwyneth Coupland serves her Italian garlic mushrooms at the food festival. Picture: Iain Findlay