19 Jun FOODIES FESTIVAL – the UK’s biggest touring celebrity food and music festival series – announces a spectacular return to Chelmsford this weekend
Foodies Festival returns to Hylands Park, Chelmsford, from 21st -23rd June, with brand new features and a star-studded line-up of celebrity chefs and chart-topping music stars, including: Blue, Westlife and Boyzone supergroup Boyzlife with Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden and the exhilarating Symphonic Ibiza Orchestra with live vocals and DJ.
Known as Gastro-Glastonbury, the three-day event will feature live cooking demonstrations from TV celebrities and chefs drawn from the ranks of MasterChef, Great British Bake Off and Great British Menu.
Star announcements, include: Essex-born MasterChef: The Professionals champion, Alex Webb, MasterChef champions, Thomas Frake, MasterChef judge, TV presenter and award-winning author, Theo Michaels, Essex-based MasterChef 2023 finalist, Anurag Aggarwal, Essex-based Great British Bake Off contestant, Dana Conway, ITV This Morning celebrity chef, Omar Allibhoy, winner of Channel 4’s The Great Cookbook Challenge, Dominique Woolf, Channel 4’s Extreme Cake Makers star, Eloise Durrant, Gordon Ramsey’s ‘Next Level Chef’ finalist, Ian Golding and TV chef, author and cookery school owner, Nigel Brown.
Alex Webb, said: “I’m really looking forward to the Foodies Festival tour, it’s my 3rd year in a row, and I’m glad to be returning! I can’t wait to celebrate the local food and drink in the region. I’ll be cooking some of my favourite dishes, such as Lobster Toast and Chilli Jam, as well as some classics from MasterChef!”
Duncan James from Blue, said: “We’re all looking forward to joining the Foodies Festival tour again this year. The crowd is always buzzing and up for a great day and night out! A definite highlight is the lovely food from around the world. We’ve enjoyed some amazing dishes on previous visits and can’t wait to try some more!”
Showcasing the best of Essex and beyond, many of the regions most-highly acclaimed Michelin and multi-award-winning chefs will also appear. Including: Michelin starred Chef-Patron, Jeff Galvin, from Galvin Green Man, Nr Chelmsford, two time Essex Chef of the Year, Paul Wendholt, Chef-Patron from Michelin recommended Kintsu, Colchester, and Chef-Patron, Tom Clarke, from Michelin recommended The Windmill, Little Waltham
Throughout the 3-day weekend, visitors will enjoy a jam-packed schedule of TV cooking show champions and award-winning chefs in the interactive live theatres. In the Chefs Theatre, celebrities will create their signature dishes and share new tips and tricks, whilst in the Cake & Desserts Theatre, patisserie chefs and star bakers whip up showstoppers and offer tempting sweet treats.
In the Kids Cookery School, Foodies SuperChefs make cooking fun, helping younger guests to prepare delicious food which they can take away and enjoy.
Masterclasses in the Drinks Theatre include tutored Champagne, Beer, Cider, Cocktail and Wine-tasting – presenters include BBC, ITV and Channel 4 drinks experts.
Visitors can browse the latest food trends in the Shopping Village, meet local producers in the Artisan Market and taste exotic and unusual new dishes in the Feasting Tent – which features a mouth-watering range of street food and delicacies from all four corners of the globe.
New for Fridays: the festival launches brand new family-friendly entertainment features taking place throughout the live theatres and extended opening hours. As the sun goes down, the legendary Symphonic Ibiza will present an unforgettable fusion of dance anthems, live vocals, a sensational DJ and an exhilarating live orchestra. Created by dynamic producer and DJ Andy Joyce (Pacha, Amnesia, Eden, Cafe Mambo) and accomplished composer and musical director Steve Etherington.
Other new features and exciting attractions include: TV Chef battles, Fire Pit Stage, Cook School with experts, Silent Disco, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Chilli Eating competitions featuring the current world champion, fairground rides, walk about artists, drum troops, choirs, children’s activities and family-friendly areas. Throughout the weekend, the Music Stage presents a summer soundtrack of chart-topping artists, top tribute acts, covers bands and superb local bands.
For the fifth year running, the festival is supporting Musicians Against Homelessness (MAH) with tickets helping to raise money for UK-wide homelessness charity Crisis.
Dates and tickets
Hylands Park, Chelmsford
21st, 22nd, 23rd June 2024
Day tickets from £4 (child) and £21 (adult). Under 6 go free
Weekend tickets from £42 (3-day)
On sale now at www.foodiesfestival.com
