FOOD and drink fans will be flocking to Cannon Hill Park today to try out a feast of flavours at this year’s Taste of Birmingham showcase.

And there’s no danger of going thirsty at the popular event, which runs until Sunday.

The award-winning Asha’s Indian restaurant, for instance, will be hosting a cocktail demonstration at each of the evening sessions. Owned by Bollywood legend Asha Bhosle, the restaurant’s mixologists will go through a range of exciting recipes accompanied by recommendations on what classic Indian dishes they will complement – and of course there’s the opportunity to sample the fruits of their labours.

There will also be plenty of tips on tasting techniques from Birmingham Wine School – an independent company which runs informal courses for people who want to learn more. Wines from Bordeaux and Chile are featured on other stands.

On the beer front, Warwickshire-based Purity Brewing will be showing off a range of its highly-praised ales, and Direct Beers offers an eclectic choice of little-known speciality tipples.

The rather sophisticated Belgian Kasteel Cru is bound to attract visitors, while Freedom Lager, based in rural Staffordshire, presents a new spin as England’s first, lager-only microbrewery, with beers made exclusively from home-produced ingredients. More cocktails are the order of the day at the Tanqueray gin stand. And for a sweet finish Condessa Welsh Liqueurs will be showing a range of cream and fruit liqueurs.

This evening’s session runs from 5.30pm to 9.30pm. Tomorrow and Saturday it’s from noon to 4pm and 5.30pm to 9.30pm and on Sunday there is one session from noon to 5pm.

* For more details, go to www.tastefestivals.com