Hey there, fellow food lover! If you haven’t noticed yet, my taste buds are always on the lookout for the next irresistible bite. Culinary festivals? Oh, they’re my personal Mecca. They’re everywhere in the UK, and honestly, many of them are just pure joy wrapped up in a slice of cake and splashed with a good helping of fun. Let’s get you in the mood for a feast as I share some highlights from the best culinary festivals across the UK. Buckle up, because your appetite is about to be whetted.
Kicking things off is The Great British Food Festival. This lovely event occurs in various stunning locations, including historic sites in the Peak District. I went once to the one held at Chatsworth House—if you’ve never been, add it to your list. The grand gardens are worth the visit alone, but throw in some local cheese and artisan bread, and you’ve got a vibrant weekend ahead.
The festival features cooking demos from some well-known chefs. I remember trying to take notes during the pasta-making demo while munching on a sausage roll. Multitasking is an art, folks! And I might have burnt my tongue on a sample of what was too hot. Totally worth it, though.
Ah, Edinburgh. I could write sonnets about this beautiful city, but I came for the food. The Edinburgh Food Festival runs during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the summer. It’s a feast for the senses, and it was my first time enjoying haggis that didn’t taste like a dare—seriously, it’s not just for tourists!
I wandered through stalls lined with local produce like Scottish smoked salmon and vegan haggis—mind-blowing stuff. I was even brave enough to try a deep-fried Mars Bar (yes, really). It tasted surprisingly like warm caramel wrapped in crunchy heaven.
Now, this one is a hidden gem! The Abergavenny Food Festival takes place in the lovely Welsh market town of Abergavenny. This year was the 22nd anniversary, and it’s come a long way from its humble beginnings. I enjoyed wandering between food stalls with the most rustic of artisanal breads and local cider from Monmouthshire. Here’s a fun fact: the festival is known for being quite ‘green’—but not in the ‘let’s hug trees’ kind of way. They work hard to minimise waste (take notes, the rest of us)!
The atmosphere is contagious. I distinctly remember a woman in a polka-dot apron struggling to assemble her grazing platter. "Too many olives!" she huffed, and it perfectly summed up my foodie struggles, too!
Cornwall is essentially the promised land for gourmands. There’s just something about that Cornish air, huh? The Cornwall Food & Drink Festival is held annually and has the sea breeze mixed with tantalising aromas wafting from the stalls. Just a heads up—at some point, you might actually forget that you came here for the food. Why? Because stunning coastal views become an absolute distraction.
I remember sitting down by the harbour, with a Cornish pasty in one hand and sipping on a chilled cider. Life was good. I tried to take an "artsy" photo of my meal, but instead ended up capturing a seagull snatching my pasty. So if you see me on social media with a half-eaten pie, that’s my life for you!
Let’s head into the Cotswolds for the Chipping Norton Food Festival! Talk about quaint charm. It’s a little smaller than the others, but don’t let that fool you. This festival packs in a whole lot of heart. You’ll find everything from artisan cheeses to homemade cakes. And there’s an emphasis on local produce, which really shows how passionate the community is about food and sustainability.
Oh, and did I mention the cheeky competitions? Yes, I entered a cake-baking contest. That didn’t go so well. Let’s just say the judges didn’t have my back when I decided to substitute half the butter with applesauce. Yeah, not my finest hour.
As we enter into 2023, the culinary scene is changing. Did you hear? The UK has embraced plant-based diets even more, and food festivals are starting to reflect that with a strong line-up of vegan vendors. It’s an exciting time for foodies, as there’s so much innovation in the kitchen. Plus, if you’ve not yet tried one of those “cake-a-grams” (yes, that’s a thing), make sure you don’t miss out—perfect for sharing and, ahem, not sharing at the same time.
So there you have it, my round-up of the best culinary festivals in the UK. Each one offers something special, whether it’s the atmosphere, the food, or the cheeky antics that come hand-in-hand with being a foodie. You’ve got history, local produce, and even the odd hilarious mishap (like a runaway pasty).
What’s your favourite food festival experience? Or maybe there’s a disaster from your culinary adventures you’d be willing to share? Drop a comment below and let’s swap stories!
