I like this time of year for food.  Everyone’s out of the diet hairshirt phase, spring menu ideas are popping up like daffs, and food festivals feel a bit more select, before summer’s gastronomic deluge.

Henley is one of those well-heeled places where you half expect a Michelin quality restaurant around every corner, but historically it’s been surprisingly poor for choice. The opening of Shaun Dickens’ eponymous fine dining restaurant on the river (read my review here) has helped matters, and now Henley is about to have its first Maison d’Artisan Deli Fayre in the elegant Town Hall.

I recognise a couple of the stallholders at this Fayre from my Muddy travels but there are lots I don’t know which is always exciting. You can go and stock up on fresh breads, cheese, truffle oils, olives, pate & terrines, chocolate, cake, wine, beer, cider, liqueurs (look below – vodka in chocolate!!), jams, chutneys, teas and coffee – you get the idea.

Anyway, you have a bit of time to plan it, as it’s happening just after Easter (Sat 26 April) – maybe tie it in with a visit to the River & Rowing Museum if you’ve got kids or a gastronomic blow out with Shaun Dickens if you haven’t!

Maison Artisan, Henley Town Hall, 11-4pm, Sat 26 April. www.maisonartisan.co.uk