Foodies Festival, the UK’s biggest celebration of food and drink, has announced four London dates as part of its nine strong nationwide summer line-up. In an exciting development, two of these are brand new festivals, run in partnership with English Heritage.
Foodies Festival Marble Hill will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 24 to Monday 26 May) in this stunning and historic riverside parkland near Richmond.
From Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June, Foodies Festival Kenwood House will bring the festival to Hampstead Heath and one of the nation’s most celebrated stately homes, recently refurbished to the tune of £5 million.
The London dates are completed by a return to Clapham Common (Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June) and Battersea Park (Friday 15 to Sunday 17 August), which last year saw 30,000 and 34,000 people respectively enjoy a vast array of culinary activities.
Now in its ninth year, Foodies Festivals attracts 250,000 visitors across nine outdoor festivals, each held over three days.
This year welcomes an extensive array of top chefs, including Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite (pictured right); Steven Edwards and Adam Handling, winner and runner up of MasterChef: The Professionals 2013 and 2012 and 2013 MasterChef victors Shelina Permalloo and Natalie Coleman.
Commented Natalie, “As MasterChef Winner 2013 I am really pleased to be taking part in the Chefs’ Theatre at Foodies Festival this year, particularly with so many well respected chefs involved. I’ll be cooking my favourite summer recipes and visitors will have the chance to take the recipes away with them to cook at home.
Also in attendance will be Anna Haugh-Kelly, head chef at Gordon Ramsay’s London House; Michelin starred Birmingham chef and Great British Menu judge Glynn Purnell and Michael Wignall, winner of two Michelin stars at The Latymer at Pennyhill Park Hotel and a guest judge on MasterChef: The Professionals. Other Michelin- starred maestros who will be demonstrating their considerable skills at Foodies Festivals include Steve Drake (Drake’s), Tim Allen (Launceston Place) and Robert Ortiz (Lima).
New features this year include Chocolate, Cake, Bake and Preserves Theatre, whilst a BBQ Arena will feature hourly demonstrations from outdoor cooking expert Rob Kennedy. Another exciting addition is the Vintage Tea Tent that will hold daily tea dances, alongside a Vintage Kitchen Market.
Some like it hot – and if so, they should make a beeline for the Chilli Food Market that will also host a daily Chilli Eating Challenge!
A Feasting Tent will become the social hub of the festival, and if all this activity has built up a thirst, visitors can kick back and relax on hay bales at the Real Ale and Cider Farm.
Back by popular demand at Foodies Festivals this year is the Aga Rangemaster Chefs’ Theatre, where top chefs will be whipping up some fabulous summer dishes.
In other highlights, guests can sup samples of new beers and ales together with incredible cocktails at the Drinks Theatre, buy local artisan fare at The Producers’ Market and dine on a vast array of ready-to-eat dishes on Street Food Avenue.
Even younger visitors are well catered for thanks to The Children’s Cookery Theatre, which will give them the opportunity to cook food from around the world.
Tickets are now available from www.foodiesfestival.com
Foodies Festivals 2014 Dates and Locations:
Brighton Hove Lawns – Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th May Marble Hill – Saturday 24th to Monday 26th May
Kenwood House – Saturday 30th May to Monday 1st June Clapham Common – Friday 6th to Sunday 8th June
Bristol Harbourside – Friday 11th to Sunday 13th July Tatton Park, Cheshire – Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July
Edinburgh Inverleith Park – Friday 8th to Sunday 10th August Battersea Park – Friday 15th to Sunday 17th August
Oxford South Parks – Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th August