Food Festivals in August 2015

From the exotic taste of Thai food to Jamie Oliver's The Big Feastival, August is the perfect time to gather your family and friends, try new foods and visit these amazing Food Festivals held around England. You don't want to miss these flavours!

Magic of Thailand, London Festival

When: 1st - 2nd August

Where: Blackheath, London

A two day event to experience the taste of Thailand this summer at Blackheath is brought to you by Magic of Thailand, London.

Treat yourself to a weekend wonder and bring along your families and friends to feel a touch of Thai culture, where you can challenge your taste buds and feast your eyes on world class food and performances.

The festival starts with a traditional food offering to Buddhist monks and entertainment throughout the day includes Muay Thai boxing and blindfold boxing competition, traditional music and dancing, Thai beer garden, Thai food and produce stalls, Thai massage and children's play area. This truly is a festival for everyone!

Cheese and Chilli Festival

When: 8th - 9th August

Where: North Walls, Devils Island, Gordon Rd, Winchester

A fantastic day out for all the family with lots to see and do and the opportunity to sample and buy a fantastic array of foods plus cheese and chillies from all over the world.

There will be a Real Ale Festival all weekend courtesy of the local Ringwood Brewery, featuring a huge selection of award-winning real ales as well as cider, wine, lager etc. Live music from many local acts will also be on offer as well as activities taking place throughout the weekend which include:

• Chilli tasting


• Chilli eating competition


• Cheese tasting


• Cocktail masterclass


• Beer festival


• Funfair and face painting

Clitheroe Food Festival

When: 8th August

Where: Clitheroe Town Centre

With over 20,000 visitors last year, this year's free Clitheroe festival will once again be taking over the town centre.

Visitors can enjoy top quality Lancashire produce, the Ribble Valley’s top chefs, food based activities for all the family, and music from all over the area.

There will be master classes in World Cuisine by top Lancashire chefs as well as: talks, demo's ranging from Mini Wine School, Wow Factor Canapés, Cocktails, Chocolate, Coffees of the world, Goosnargh Ducks and Chucks, Lancashire Black Puddings, Bees and Herbs and Children's Cookery School.

Bakewell Baking Festival

When: 14th - 16th August

Where: Bakewell Showground, Bakewell, Derbyshire

The world's first and the UK's premier baking festival is back at the spiritual home of baking. The festival is a celebration of the world of baking and bakes with a vintage feel all set in the Peak District National Park, with onsite weekend camping.

Two Baking Theatres and Star Bakers: Baker Brother Tom Herbert, GBBO Winner Edd Kimber, Masterchef Finalist Stacie Stewart, GBBO Howard Middleton, GBBO (Alaskagate) Iain Watters, Supper Club Origanor and TV's Miss Marmite Lover, Britains Best Bakery Semi Finalist Richard Cowburn and The Ladys' Food Correspondent Nigel Brown.

Over 50 Baking and Vintage stalls, the Ultimate Afternoon Tea Experience with Vintage 78DJ's, Indian Bread Making, Cupcake and Gingerbread Decorating, Vintage Games, Tea Tastings, Live Cake Decorating Final, Teddy Bears Picnic, Demo's Galore, Clandestine Cake Club, School of Artisan Food.

The Nottingham Food & Drink Festival

When: 15th - 16th August

Where: Wollaton Hall

The Nottingham Food and Drink Festival set in the backdrop of the Elizabethan Wollaton Mansion and Park, is an inspirational event for specialist food and drink enthusiasts. Artisan regional and local food and drink in the Nottingham area is abundant and the Nottingham Food and Drink Festival hopes to capture the very essence of its popularity.

The Festival’s Country Kitchen plan to give show visitors a series of entertaining and instructive live demonstrations. A unique line up of national and regional star chefs, who bring an intriguing selection of international food backgrounds and influences, includes: Sat Bains, Stacie Stewart, Mark Lloyd more to be confirmed.

>>>Read our feature with Stacie Stewart here

The Festival’s range of Food Halls will feature a line up of local and regional speciality food and drinks producers, with a particular focus on British food provenance, locally reared meats, artisan baking and foods with micro - breweries and a real ale marquee.

In addition to the celebrity chefs, a number of exhibitors will have on stand demonstrations and workshops. With a wide range of ice creams and tempting offers for children, visitors can relax, eat and listen to local music in the setting of Wollaton Park.

The Big Feastival, Hosted by Jamie Oliver & Alex James

When: 28th - 30th August

Where: Oxfordshire

Jamie Oliver and Alex James present The Big Feastival, a unique weekend celebration of music, food and fun for all the family, set on Alex’s idyllic Cotswolds farm.

Enjoy music from top acts, tuck into top chef demos in the Big Kitchen and have your fill from The Menu, featuring the cream of the UK’s street food crop. Browse local producer stands, join a cookery class or get your foodie fix joining top chefs for intimate Q&A sessions. Keep little and big kids happy in the fun-filled Little Dudes Den, join an arts & crafts workshop, enjoy the Big Top games or take a spin round the vintage funfair.

Come for the day, camp for the weekend or go glamping for a special treat!

Great British Food Festival

When: 29th - 31st August

Where: Dalemain, Penrith, Cumbria

Over 80 top local producers, a big serving of hot food, real ale and wine bars, add a a dash of craft and gift stalls, lots of activities and rides for the kids, top chef demos from the likes of GBBO finalist Luis Troyano stir in a cake competition and the popular Men V’s Food, with lashings of excellent live music and mix together to make a lovely foodie family day out.

The main chef demo area hosts great local and regional chefs, all demos are free (as part of your admission ticket) to enter so everyone can pick up top foodie tips.

The Great British Food Festival has attracted lots of producers showcasing the best in local, seasonal and speciality food and drink. It’s a great opportunity to get a real taste of the best of Lancashire and Great British produce - sample, enjoy and buy.

A perfect recipe for a foodie day out for the whole family.

Newlyn Fish Festival

When: 31st August

Where: Cornwall

Celebrate all things fishy on 31st August in one of Cornwall's most distinctive and original fishing ports.

The largest fish festival in the UK, Newlyn Harbour hosts some quirky events along its industrial stretch of Cornish coast: there's a fish auction, a music stage and even a Lugger Rowing Championship, where - without engines - participants will take the oars of the hefty boats and row in a race to win the coveted Gold Pilchard award.

Satisfy your appetite with the best seafood you can get whilst enjoying great cooking demos, live entertainment or bidding at the seafood auction. August Bank Holiday Monday sees the annual Cornish celebration of the sea, fishing and seafood at the 26th Newlyn Fish Festival, where you will find more fish than you can shake a mermaid’s tail at!

By Henna Holtinkoski