Foodies Festival Organisers vow to serve up a feast of entertainment
AFOOD and drink festival billed as the biggest in the UK returns to Durdham Downs in Bristol this weekend.
Scouting for Girls and MasterChef 2021 champion Tom Rhodes are among the line-up for this year’s Foodies Festival, dubbed ‘Gastro Glastonbury,’ which had to be cancelled last year due to Covid.
They will be joined by hundreds of exhibitors selling local produce, more than 50 bands and artists, and world-class chefs set to showcase their skills to a live audience.
Tom Rhodes, who will be cooking live for the first time since appearing on MasterChef, said: “I’m a huge fan of Foodies Festival, so I’m over the moon that it’s back this year.
“As well as all the amazing food, drinks and live music, I’ll be there and can’t wait to share my favourite recipes and quick kitchen tricks. The Foodies Festival really feels like the perfect way to kick back and celebrate this summer and I’m excited to see you all there.”
The three-day festival kicks off today with a Chefs’ Theatre, cocktail masterclass and chilli eating competition among a host of activities on offer.
Other award-winning chefs taking part this weekend include MasterChef The Professionals champion Alex Webb, MasterChef 2021 finalists Alexina Anatole and Mike Tomkins, celebrity Spanish chef Omar Alibhoy, and Dan Bowden from the luxury Berwick Lodge Hotel.
They’ll be joined by band Scouting For Girls as well as top-ranked Lady Gaga tribute act Maybe Gaga and the Killers tribute band The Killerz.
Scouting For Girls star Roy Stride said: “After a long, dismal year away from touring and seeing our fans, we’re all hugely excited to be playing Foodies Festival.
“It’s not just because we’ll finally be playing our favourite songs again to a real-life crowd as the sun sets on a perfect summer’s day out, it’s also the sense of liberation and relief that will come with the fest for everyone involved.
“The fact that we’ll all be able to sample an amazing smorgasbord of food and drink from around the world is another great bonus.”
Festival director Sue Hitchen said: “I’m delighted we are returning to Bristol this year, bringing top chefs to cook live and big name music acts to our stage.
“As we are outdoors and in local parks we are able to plan Covid safe festivals, and our experienced health and safety team are working closely with local councils across the country to make sure we take all appropriate measures and follow government guidelines to keep everyone safe.
“There has never been a better time to support local restaurants and food producers and we are all ready to enjoy a fun day out with friends.”
For the third year running, the festival is supporting Musicians
Against Homelessness (MAH) with tickets raising money for UK-wide homelessness charity Crisis.
MAH founder Emma Rule said: “The last year has been incredibly difficult for charities, we are so pleased to be back at Foodies with our music stage and brilliant artists, raising much-needed funds.”
Day tickets are priced at £19 and weekend tickets are £29.
Children aged 12 and under go free when accompanied by an adult.