FOODIES FESTIVAL returns to Syon Park, London, for a three-day party to mark Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne with a royal recipe of celebrity chefs and chart-topping music stars.
Foodies, the biggest touring gourmet food festival in the UK, will be bringing MasterChef champions, stars of the Great British Bake-Off and local Michelin star restaurants back to the spectacular country estate over the Jubilee bank holiday.
To celebrate the historic event, many of the nation’s most talented chefs will be conjuring up stunning coronation-inspired dishes, with a modern twist, and whipping up sumptuous desserts fit for the Queen in the Cake and Bake Theatre.
Over the long weekend, visitors will experience an authentic street party feel with a sea of red, white and blue bunting across the park, and picnic tables, afternoon teas and majestic cocktails.
Award-winning chefs taking part this summer include MasterChef: The Professionals 2021 champion Daniel Lee, who’ll be joined in the Chefs’ Theatre by fellow finalists Aaron Middleton, Daniel Marreiros and semi-finalists Jamie Holme, plus Saturday Kitchen regular Atul Kochhar and MasterChef champion Shelina Permalloo and Dhruv Baker.
Stars making delicious creations in the Cake and Bake Theatre include, 2021 Bake Off favourites Chigs Parmar and Crystelle Pereira, both recipients of the coveted ‘Hollywood handshake’, from Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, bread expert Jack Sturgess AKA ‘Bake with Jack’ and MasterChef finalist and restauranteur, Tony Rodd from Copper & Ink, Blackheath.
The music line-up includes platinum-selling chart-toppers Scouting For Girls and Lee Ryan & Simon Webbe from legendary boy band Blue. And, new for Friday, Foodies launch their ‘Big Party Night’ – taking a nostalgia-filled trip back to the 90s, featuring some of the biggest music acts of the era, including Liberty X and East 17.
A legion of chefs from Michelin-starred and award-winning winning restaurants will give the festival a distinctive local flavour, including head chef Michael Carr from Fenchurch Sky Garden, Tom Booton, head chef at The Grill at The Dorchester and Santosh Shah, MasterChef: The Professionals Champion of Champions winner.
The high-profile festival has announced thrilling new features and a busy programme of events, in the quest to deliver an unforgettable Jubilee weekend of fine food, new experiences and exceptional quality, promising a great family day out.
New features for 2022 include:
*Ready Steady Chef! Celebrity chefs from TV’s biggest cooking shows will once again compete against each other, turning up the heat in the Chefs’ Theatre. Presented with a bag of surprising ingredients chosen by their competitors, it will be an exciting and often hilarious race against the clock to create the best dish and to win the public vote.
*Take a sweet trip down memory lane to the post-war era in the Cake and Bake Theatre. See 1950s styled hosts presenting the nation’s favourite nostalgic desserts and puddings.
*Meet the authors and discover new recipes in the Cook Book Shop – with celebrity signings and top chefs’ showcasing their latest cookbooks.
*Go Global and browse the very latest world food trends in the Shopping Village and try exotic and unusual new dishes on Street Food Avenue. The incredible range includes tantalising delicacies from all four corners of the globe.
*Plant-based cooking will be well represented, with delicious dishes and produce. The Chef and Bake Theatres will be showcasing the best of vegan cooking with tips and tricks from professionals.
*Masterclasses in the Drinks Theatre include Cocktail Making through the decades, and Champagne, Beer, Cider and Wine tasting. ‘No, and Lo’ alcohol is predicted to be the UK’s biggest drinks trend – join the experts to taste and compare some of the best products on the market
*World Chilli Eating Champion Shahina Waseem will join the tour and challenge those brave enough to compete. Competitions will be broadcast live across the world to huge ‘League of Fire’ audiences.
*Keeping the children entertained – an opportunity for the youngsters to get creative in the Kids Cookery School, hosted by Foodies SuperChefs. And for those little (and big!) thrill-seekers, a funfair, sand art, toy stalls, face painting and family-friendly areas with activities.
*Supporting rising talent – the Musicians Against Homelessness stage will feature over 40 superb artists across the weekend, with the best of local bands and an introduction to exciting new acts from across the UK.
At the three-day festival, visitors can enjoy the Chefs’ Theatre, Cake & Bake Theatre, Drinks Theatre, Shopping Village with award-winning artisan producers, Street Food Avenue, Feasting Tent, Cook Book Shop, Kids’ Cookery School, fairground, live music stage and family-friendly areas with activities for children.
Over 200 exhibitors will showcase their products, providing festival-goers with a fantastic opportunity to sample the best of the region – and to try a huge selection of delicious food and drink from around the world.
Dates and Tickets
Syon Park, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 8JF
3rd June – 5th June 2022
Early Bird Adult Day ticket £19 (on door £25)
Weekend ticket £38 (on door £47)
Children aged 12 and under £3.
*Entry to all theatres is included in the ticket price.
