Food
6 of the best UK food festivals
by Sarah Alcock
6 of the best UK food festivals
Whether you want to learn about cheese-making, attend a curry clinic, chow down on a plate of ribs, or get tips from a celebrity chef, there's a food festival to suit all tastes. So fill your summer days (and your stomach) with our pick of the best events from across the UK – hopefully all while the sun is shining!
When? 28-30 August 2015
Where? Alex James' Farm, Kingham, The Cotswolds
Everyone's favourite Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver, and Blur bassist, Alex James, have teamed up again this year to bring us a family friendly celebration of music and food. Foodies can enjoy live demos from chefs such as Raymond Blanc, Nathan Outlaw, Mark Hix and Monica Galetti, while music fans can watch performances from the likes of Groove Armada, Ella Eyre and Paloma Faith. With local food stalls and hands-on cookery sessions, there's plenty to get your teeth into.
Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival
When? 26-27 September 2015
Where? Snape Maltings, Near Aldeburgh, Suffolk
Over 90 food and drink producers from across Suffolk will gather to sell their produce, including raw milk, organic vegetables, sourdough bread, award-winning beer and spirits from sponsors Adnams, cyder from Aspall and delicious street food. There will also be cookery demonstration stages with guest chefs including MasterChef champions Dhruv Baker and Thomasina Miers.
When? 18-20 September 2015
Where? Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales
Heaps of top foodie names including Tom Kerridge, Raymond Blanc, Theo Randall and the Hemsleys will be cooking up a storm. Plus, with everything from tutored wine tastings, cocktail mixology classes, foraging walks, talks, debates, demonstrations, masterclasses and music, you're bound to find something you want to see.
Liverpool Food and Drink Festival
When? 19-20 September 2015
Where? Sefton Park, Liverpool
This is a celebration of the city's fantastic restaurants, bars, cafes and regional producers offering everything from olives to brownies. The Hemsleys are headlining the first day of the festival, and will be demonstrating signature dishes from their healthy eating bible. They'll also be a chocolate garden (yum!), wine masterclasses and a curry clinic where you can learn how to make the ultimate Indian feast.
When? 14-16 August 2015
Where? Bakewell Showground
Bakewell's three-day festival is good old-fashioned family fun, and pet friendly too! With The Fabulous Baker Brothers, MasterChef finalist Stacie Stewart, and Bake Off stars Howard Middleton, Edd Kimber and Iain Watters (of #bingate fame), the festival promises 'a giant garden party'. The baking, of course, takes centre stage with masterclasses, cake decorating competitions – and even custard pie fights.
When? 19-20 September 2015
Where? Tobacco Dock, London
With more than 20 chefs per day, ticket holders can expect to rub shoulders with the likes of the Duck & Waffle's Dan Doherty and Patty & Bun's Luke Findlay. The festival also offers a real mix of music, from DJs to folk bands. If you've always wanted to improve your knife skills, there are butchery classes held over the weekend (£175), and a celebration of local craft beers, Craftopia.
