Talks
Vicky Bennison - Pasta Grannies
Where:
Castle Garden Stage - Castle Gardens
When:
Vicky Bennison is a documentarian and cookbook writer, responsible for the Pasta Grannies YouTube channel, which preserves the heritage pasta traditions of Italian home cooks.
Born in Kenya to British parents and raised in Botswana, Vicky described herself in a 2022 interview as having a expatriate upbringing.
She earned a BS in zoology from Newcastle University and an MBA from the University of Bath, before working as a management consultant in international development, working in Siberia, South Africa, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. She later became a professional food and travel writer, publishing in La Cucina Italiana, The Telegraph, and Food & Wine.
She started interviewing and filming Italian "pasta grannies" in the 2010s, launching her YouTube channel in 2015, documenting more than 400 home cooks by 2023. As described by The New York Times in 2019, "Videos are shot in home kitchens and side yards, with minimal styling and natural light. The subtitles are utilitarian, and the music...noncommittal...No one measures anything, but Ms. Bennison does her best to fill in the blanks with instructive narration.
Three fantastic festivals
11, 12 & 13 September 2026
Showcasing independent food and drink producers from the Marches. Embracing contemporary food trends & innovations.
8, 9 & 10 May 2026
Barrels of real ale, live music, talks, food and drink, kids' activities and a host of classic vehicles.
Sunday 9 August 2026
Ramble through the rolling countryside surrounding Ludlow and enjoy delicious food and drink from the region's producers.