Foodies Festival returns to Bristol Harbourside for the UK’s largest celebration of food and drink this July. Food-lovers are invited to feast on the vast array of culinary activities taking place over the 3-day event including chef demonstrations and food masterclasses. Now in its sixth year, Foodies Festivals also take place across the UK in Edinburgh, Brighton, Battersea Park, Hampton Court Palace, Tatton Park and Oxford.
Top chefs, including Channel 4’s Iron Chef UK Martin Blunos, Louise McCrimmon of Harvey Nichols, Romy Gill of Romy’s Kitchen, Sam Moody of The Bath Priory, and The Daily Telegraph’s Xanthe Clay will cook signature dishes live in the Chefs’ Theatre and explain how amateur cooks can prepare the same dishes at home.
Martin Blunos said: “I always have a blast at the Foodies Festival in Bristol – it’s my manor. The reception and crowds are amazing. This year I’m looking at simplicity in the kitchen, dishes that are tasty and oh-so-easy to do at home with, of course, a local and regional lilt.”
The popular Food and Drinks Masterclasses invite visitors to be amongst the first in the UK to sample new products and brush up their skills as well as learn new tips and techniques. There are 100 places available at each session, where experts will be sharing their knowledge and giving out samples. Over the course of the weekend there will be classes from Hendricks Gin, gourmet sausage making with Pig & Co, wonderful wines with expert Charles Metcalfe and traditional Jamaican street food with The Backyard Company.
New to Foodies this year is the Kids’ Cookery Theatre, run by Beverley Glock of Splat Cooking and sponsored by Lakeland, where youngsters will be encouraged to cook up a storm. On Saturday and Sunday there will be all sorts of gastronomic experiments going on to keep the children occupied.
Also new is the City Beach – complete with sand, deckchairs and beach-huts selling ice-cream, tea and cocktails; Street Food Avenue – serving quality dishes from around the globe and the Great Taste Market – selling award-winning goods from the UK’s top producers.
Other features for food-lovers include restaurant tents, bars, a producers’ market and an exhibitors’ area.
Throughout the weekend there will be live music on the entertainment stage, including Tom Jones’ prodigy Denise Morgan, who recently appeared on BBC’s The Voice.
Tickets for Foodies Bristol Harbourside are available from the website or by calling 0844 995 1111. A three-day ticket costs £18 (concession £15), with a one-day ticket priced at £10 (concession £8). VIP tickets cost £38 and include a 2-course meal with champagne in the VIP tent, a goody bag and priority VIP seats in the Theatres and Masterclasses. Entry is free for children aged 16 and under accompanied by an adult. Price includes entry into the Chefs’ Theatre, Food Masterclass, Drinks Masterclass and Kids’ Cookery Theatres and they must be registered for upon arrival.
The Foodies Festival is open on Fri – 11am-7pm, Sat – 10am-7pm, Sun – 11am–7pm