TICKETS have gone on sale for a food festival returning to Brighton this year featuring champions from MasterChef and The Great British Bake Off.
Dubbed the “gastro Glastonbury”, the Foodies Festival is the UK’s biggest food, drink and music event.
This year the three-day festival will be coming to Preston Park from Friday, September 24, until Sunday 26.
Festival-goers can watch live cooking demonstrations and sample food and drink from around the world, while there will also be live music from more than 50 bands, including Scouting For Girls.
Tom Rhodes, recently crowned champion of the BBC’s MasterChef 2021 series, will be joining the star-studded line-up, cooking live for an audience for the first time since appearing on the hit show.
He said: “I’m a huge fan of Foodies Festival, so I’m over the moon that it’s back this year.
“As well as all the amazing food, drinks and live music, I’ll be there and can’t wait to share my favourite recipes and quick kitchen tricks.
“The Foodies Festival really feels like the perfect way to kick back and celebrate this summer and I’m excited to see you all there.”
Last year’s MasterChef winner Thomas Frake will also be showing off his cookery skills and is thrilled to be taking part.
He said: “Foodies Festival is back with a bang this summer and I can’t wait to share my favourite recipes and my top cooking tips with all you foodies out there.
“We all deserve a fun-filled day out.”
There will be appearances from this year’s MasterChef finalist Mike Tomkins, 2020 finalist David Rickett and Great British Bake Off finalist Dave Friday, plus Michael Bremner, chef and owner of award-winning Brighton restaurants Murmur and 64 Degrees.
Kenny Tutt, 2018 MasterChef champion from Worthing who is launching two new ventures this summer – Ox Block at Shelter Hall in Brighton and Bayside Social in Worthing, will also make a welcome return to the festival.
As well as watching live demonstrations at the chefs’ theatre and cake and bake theatre, festival-goers can enjoy wine, champagne and beer at the drinks theatre and take part in cocktail making masterclasses.
More than 200 exhibitors will be showing their produce, and visitors can purchase award-winning artisan food and drink at the shopping village, taste dishes from around the world at Street Food Avenue and relax at the live music stage.
Other attractions include the Foodies’ famous chilli-eating competition and family friendly areas with activities for children, including the Kids Cookery School.
The live music line-up includes Lady Gaga tribute act Maybe Gaga and Killers tribute act The Killerz.
Roy Stride of Scouting For Girls said: “After a long, dismal year away from touring and seeing our fans, we’re all hugely excited to be playing Foodies Festival.
“It’s not just because we’ll finally be playing our favourite songs again to a real-life crowd, it’s also the sense of liberation and relief that will come with the fest for everyone involved.
“The fact that we’ll all be able to sample an amazing smorgasbord of food and drink from around the world is another great bonus.”
Foodies Festival will be touring the country throughout the summer.
Festival director Sue Hitchen said: “I’m delighted we are returning to Brighton this year, bringing top chefs to cook live and big name music acts to our stage.
“As we are outdoors and in local parks we are able to plan Covid-safe festivals, and our experienced health and safety team are working closely with local councils across the country to make sure we take all appropriate measures and follow government guidelines to keep everyone safe.
“There has never been a better time to support local restaurants and food producers and we are all ready to enjoy a fun day out with friends.”
For the third year running, the festival is supporting Musicians Against Homelessness (MAH) with tickets raising money for UK-wide homelessness charity Crisis.
MAH founder Emma Rule said: “The last year has been incredibly difficult for charities.
“We are so pleased to be back at Foodies with our music stage and brilliant artists, raising much needed funds.”
Tickets are on sale now, priced at £19 for an adult day ticket or £29 for a weekend ticket. Children aged 12 and under go free when accompanied by an adult.
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.foodiesfestival.com or call 0844 9951111.
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