Food festivals in May
May - the marvellous month with two bank holidays and the one that celebrates asparagus as well as 'Be Nice To Nettles' week; it is also the month that has so many food festivals happening that we've had to split it into two parts.
Here is the second round-up of those festivals we think you should be going to on your weekends off.
First up is:
When:
17th - 25th May
Where:
Devizes, Wiltshire
This is Devizes' 10th year at the Grand Market Fair and sees a jam-packed schedule of events from start to finish; including a bangers and beer supper, live chef demos and masterclasses featuring Xanthe Clay as well as food and drink stalls galore.
Have a look at the full programme to see if anything takes your fancy.
If a healthier food festival is more your thing then how about this one:
Watercress Festival
When:
18th May
Where:
Alresford, Hampshire
This festival celebrates the town local crop, watercress, by dedicating a whole Sunday of events to the green salad leaf.
"Kicking off at 10am with live music and a raft of artisanal food and craft, at 10.30am Broad Street is brought to a standstill when the first watercress of the British season arrives, freshly cut from a nearby watercress farm and brought into Alresford on a traditional horse and cart. The newly crowned Watercress King and Queen ride on the cart and generously hand out this freshest of crop to festival goers, followed by a procession of morris dancers, musicians and school children, all in carnival mood as they parade through the town."
With chef demonstrations and competitions you too could be as happy as Roly the horse.
Next up is a festival in the opposite direction...
Malton Food Lovers Festival
When:
24th - 25th May
Malton, Yorkshire
Yorkshire produce, over 160 food stalls, famous patrons, chef demos, live interviews, cookery lessons, a festival bar, festival restaurant, gala dinner, family entertainment, talks, tastings this is one festival that has a lot to offer.
There will be appearances from:
Patron Jean-Christophe Novelli, who will be doing a book signing as well as giving interviews and heading up the Malton Cookery Theatre where, on Saturday 24th, he'll be giving an exclusive lesson for 8 lucky visitors.
Michelin star chef James Mackenzie.
Channel 4's Michela Chiappa and her sisters Emi and Romina will be cooking up dishes from their popular four part cooking series ‘Simply Italian’.
As well as private chef-led cookery classes from:
BBC’s Great British Menu Stephanie Moon, Michelin-starred chef James Mackenzie, critically acclaimed chef Andrew Pern, BBC MasterChef finalist Sara Danesin Medio, and Malton’s very own Craig Atchinson and Jake Jones, both of James Martin’s Talbot Hotel Restaurant.
With so many live demos and chefs appearing you can find the full programme of events here.
Photos courtesy of Haraala Hamilton and BBC Books.
Next is a festival back for its second year...
Where:
Lowry Outlet, MediaCityUK, Manchester
When:
24th - 26th May
Lowry Outlet is bringing an array of celebrities and exciting foodie attractions to the North West this May bank holiday with the return of its popular Food Festival. Bigger and better than last year, it's taking place on the Centre’s Plaza and the MediaCityUK Piazza.
This Manchester food fest. has three TV chefs on board for live demos. Join James Martin alongside Market Kitchen presenter and columnist Rachel Allen and Italian legend Gennaro Contaldo at this 3 day event which also offers an Artisan market.
The festival will fuse food with music, as there will be a live music stage showcasing local acts throughout the weekend and viewers can relax and sit back on ‘The Green;’ an installed green lawn.
With over 100 tempting food & drink stalls, cookery demonstrations and pop-up eateries this is one to definitely put in the calendar.
Next we're going back to the South with...
South of England Food & Drink Festival
When:
25th May
Where:
South of England Showground, Ardingly, Sussex
Celebrating local food and drink and the award-winning artisans, farmers and growers that produce it the South of England food and drink fest. is a one day event full of cooking workshops, food tastings and "English Wine Masterclasses from top local winemakers, pairing their wines with gastronomic delights created by Masterchef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards."
The event is a partnership between Sussex-based food events firm Food Rocks and the South of England Agricultural Society, bringing together the best of the modern and the traditional in local food, drink and entertainment.
And a festival right at the end of the month to coincide with the bank holiday is...
Stratford Food Festival at The Races
When:
30th May - 1st June
Where:
Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse, Warwickshire
In a new format the Stratford Food Festival and Stratford Racecourse have come together in creating an all new, redesigned event, which will launch this May, ‘Stratford Food Festival At the Races!‘.
From Lazy Cow burgers to The Falafel Wagon there are over 70 food and drink stalls for you to chose from as well as activities for the children and horse races on the Friday and Saturday evening.
Other festivals happening throughout May include:
- 18th May - Love Food Festival (Dyrham Park)
- 24th May - Oadby Sausage and Cider Festival
- 24th May - Burnham on Sea Food & Drink Festival
- 24th - 26th May - Great British Food Festival at Harewood House
- 24th - 26th May - Food & Drink Feast at Jimmy’s Farm
- 24th - 26th May - Sheffield Food Festival
{{user.name}}