9 Cool Food Festivals Happening Across The UK This Summer
Fresh Mike Studio, Mike Tsang
Taste Of London
London
Taste of London returns to Regent’s Park this weekend. Showcasing dishes from some of London's most in-demand chefs, you can expect plenty of delicious food, drinks and entertainment over the five days. In the last 20 years, it’s brought some of London’s best restaurants to Regent’s Park for a week of food and fun, and this year is no exception. The festival will host over 30 restaurants, with chefs serving over 150 dishes – guests can make their way around each stall, book lessons at the Cook School with Lee Kum Kee, and watch chefs at work at the Fire Pit. Top names include Mursal Saiq, Andy Beynon and Ben Tish, with food available from some of London’s hottest restaurants like Roti King, Norma and Bar Kroketa.
Regent’s Park, London; 12th-16th June
The Big Feastival
Oxfordshire
Blur bassist and cheesemonger Alex James’s annual festival is arguably one of the best at getting the balance between food and music just right. Chefs in attendance will include Raymand Blanc, Andi and Miquita Oliver, Jack Stein, Max La Manna and Poppy O’Toole, while Becky Hill, Snow Patrol, Johnny Marr, Circa Waves, Ella Henderson, Scouting For Girls and more take to the main stage. Families should be sure to check out Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park, featuring horses, cattle and goats, and luxury lodging.
Kingham, Oxfordshire; 23rd-25th August
Visit TheBigFeastival.com
Yoxman
Suffolk
Yoxman doesn’t have any events going on this summer, but the next one coming up is at the start of October and promises to sell out quickly. Yoxman at Wilderness Reserve promises an unforgettable dining experience. This year, three top chefs – Gareth Ward, Yannick Alléno, Rafael Cagali – have 20 Michelin stars between them and will be serving up a menu of exceptional food (all with a wild and local emphasis). Tickets give you access to a full weekend of events, kicking off with a champagne reception followed by a gala dinner, and opportunities to mingle with the chefs throughout the weekend. Expect Michelin-level dining at every meal and plenty of opportunities to unwind in the Wilderness Bamford spa.
Wilderness Reserve, Suffolk; 4th-7th October
Visit Yoxman.com
Oxmoor Farm Wild Feasts
Chiltern Hills
Returning for its third year, Oxmoor Farm's 'The Barn' will be playing host to a different guest chef each month in its newly renovated space, complete with communal sharing tables. At this rural dinner party, guests can enjoy feasts on Saturday evenings or Sunday lunchtimes, while watching chefs prepare and plate dishes at the central pass. In June, Michelle Trusselle of Myristica Supper Club will present modern Caribbean cuisine. In July, Sophie Godwin and Adam Bush from Scramble LDN will take over, followed by chef Tom Cenci and Amber Franicies in August.
Great Hampden, Great Missenden
Visit OxmoorFarm.co.uk
Meatopia
London
Meatopia brings together the very best BBQ chefs for a full-on weekend of smoking, grilling and charring. Across the event, more than 70 cooks will set London’s Tobacco Dock ablaze with food, drink and music as the meat masters showcase both techniques and dishes using nothing but sustainable wood and charcoal, as well as responsibly sourced meat, fish and veg. One the line up is Ana Ortiz (Fire Made), Brad Carter (One Star Doner Bar & Undercroft), Adriana Cavita (Cavita) and many more.
Tobacco Dock, London; 29th August-1st September
Visit Meatopia.co.uk
Pub In The Park
Various Locations
Tom Kerridge’s annual food festival is back on the road. Each of the weekends will feature Tom’s Michelin-starred pub, The Hand & Flowers, plus a selection of other great UK restaurants and Michelin-starred chefs serving up their most popular dishes. Every event will celebrate the best food the country has to offer, combined with great live music, chef demonstrations, top-quality shopping and family-friendly festivities. On the chef side you’ll see Tom Kerridge, Simon Rimmer and Atul Kochhar and more. Plus, there will be music acts across the festivals, as well as activities for the kids.
Chiswick (28th-30th June), Reigate (12th-14th July), St Albans (6th-8th September)
Visit PubInTheParkUK.com
Dorset Seafood Festival
Dorset
The Dorset Seafood Festival is set to return to Weymouth this September. The much-loved event – Europe’s largest seafood festival – attracts visitors to the Jurassic coast to enjoy the sunshine, local market stalls and, of course, amazing seafood. Alongside chef demonstrations, live music, street food and cookery classes for children, the organisers have added a chill-out zone, a green seas initiative and water displays.
Weymouth Peninsula, Dorset; 7th-8th September
Visit DorsetSeafood.co.uk
London Restaurant Festival
London
London Restaurant Festival has returned to the city for its 16th edition. In celebration of the capital’s diverse dining scene, throughout the month restaurants across the city will be hosting events, tours and tastings, and offering exclusive menus. Highlights include a mini cheesecake masterclass at La Maritxu, an evening of Indian cuisine at Pahli Hill, an intimate dinner at the charming Townsend Restaurant and a plant-based menu designed by Rishim Sachdeva in the newly opened Café Petiole at Somerset House. This festival also offers a unique sampling experience with its ‘Restaurant Hopping Tours’, which are a chance to try four restaurants in one night with a tasting plate and drink at each one.
Various locations, London; until the 28th June
Savour
London
Savour is London’s newest food and drink festival. Set in the historic Royal Hospital Chelsea, it will return this year to host some of the most sought-after restaurants and bars the UK has to offer, all in one venue. Expect to see Frenchie, Gaucho, Wilton's, Kricket, Angelina and others there – last year, Savour challenged chefs cooking across the weekends to create a £3 signature dish, giving festival goers the chance to vote for their favourite.
Royal Hospital Chelsea, London; TBC
Visit SavourFestival.com
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