Reading Cheese Feast review: What we tried and recommend

The three-day event, organised by Blue Collar, is on its final day in Forbury Gardens today, Sunday, 30.

Street food traders are offering a variety of options including gourmet cheese toasties, macaroni cheese and cheese boards. There is something for everyone - even those who don't eat cheese - with a popular bar tent, fresh churros, brownies, tapas, Thai street food.

Our reporter, Megan O'Neill, went to the Reading Cheese Feast yesterday (April 29) to see what she could find. 

Visiting between 1pm and 2pm, the sun was shining and Forbury Gardens was packed with people enjoying the surroundings. The beer tents were full and every stall had a queue of eager customers. Families were sat on the grass enjoying the sunshine and delicious food.

READ MORE - Reading Cheese Feast in pictures: A weekend of stalls and 'food heaven'

Reading-based cheese, beer and spirits shop, The Grumpy Goat, are hosting the cheese produce area which is open from 11am to 6pm, today (April 30).

A DJ on the main stage was attracting a small audience of children who were dancing and cartwheeling to the upbeat music - a great first impression!

Speaking to visitor, Lucy Marlow, 21 from Reading, she described the event as "the ideal place for food lovers and anyone who wants to enjoy the sunshine in a beer tent really. It's food heaven."

The Fine Brownie Co.

I started with dessert as I couldn't resist the brownies on offer at The Fine Brownie Co. The stall - bright pink so you can't miss it - is offering fresh baked goods to the Cheese Feast visitors.

I went with the lemon, raspberry and white chocolate blondie and all I can say is 'wow'. The outside was cripsy and the inside was gooey, exactly what a brownie/blondie should be (or so I am told, I'm not a great baker!) 

I may have to go back today as I also had my eye on the Kinder brownie.

The company, run from its Southamption office, make baked goods using local, fresh ingredients to ensure the brownies stay "fudgy".

They are selling the homemade brownie slices for £3 for one or four for £10.

Anonymous Coffee Co.

Next up was coffee to accompany the baked goods so I headed over the other side of Forbury Gardens to Anonymous Coffee Co.

Anonymous Coffee Co. are a family-run coffee roastery in Reading. According to its website, the family's mission is to "make great quality, great tasting coffee easy to enjoy and to do some good in the process."

I tried the classic iced coffee and it was a refreshing and delicious option on a sunny day. 

The big queue of thirsty customers shows that it was a popular choice for guests who didn't want an alcoholic beverage.

Mr Pig Stuff quesadillas 

Now to try some of the food so I went to Mr Pig Stuff for a loaded quesadilla. I will hold my hands up and say I don't like cheese, but this was delicious.

After a short wait while they cooked my fresh food, I tried the slow roasted pork quesadilla which was served with fresh salsa, nacho cheese and guacamole which was a nice take on the Mexican classic.

The stall are offering four options at £9.50. There were three options of loaded quesadillas (Slow roasted pork; bacon and sweet potato; and asparagus and garlic) as well as fried halloumi - which I didn't try but looked crispy and delicious.

Other popular stalls

Every stall seemed to have a queue of customers so expect a short wait while the venders make the fresh food. 

Mainstreet Mac & Cheese, Marlow Cheese Company toasties and Soluna Pizza stalls had the biggest queues during the lunchtime rush but I take that as a sign that they are good! 

The bar had the longest queue as guest lined up to get refreshing beer, Pimms and drinks to enjoy on the grass.

Reading-based cheese, beer and spirits shop, The Grumpy Goat, are hosting the cheese produce area which is open from 11am to 6pm, today (April 30).

Today is the last day of the Reading Cheese Feast, so head over to Forbury Gardens before 7pm today, before it finishes.