A star-studded weekend jam-packed with delicious food and drink is set to return next month.
An extensive menu of TV chefs, cooking show champions and chart-topping music stars will take to the live stage for Foodies Festival in Brighton’s Preston Park from May 4 to May 6.
Platinum-selling festival favourites Scouting For Girls and Sister Sledge will headline the music stage on Saturday and Sunday, and closing the show on Monday as the sun sets will be the Symphonic Ibiza Orchestra with a fusion of dance anthems and live vocals and DJ.
Some of Brighton’s drag queens will host the music stage throughout the weekend including, Amy Laqueefa, Darcey Nox and Cherry Bomb.
Celebrities and chefs drawn from the ranks of MasterChef, Great British Bake Off and Great British Menu will cook their favourite dishes live in the many interactive theatres and will talk about the challenges they faced on TV's biggest cooking shows.
Star names include MasterChef champion Tom Rhodes, MasterChef: The Professionals champion Alex Webb, Great British Menu winner Michael Bremner, MasterChef: The Professionals champion Steven Edwards, Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch chef James Golding, Great British Bake Off favourite Jürgen Krauss, Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch bread expert Jack Sturgess and ITV This Morning wine experts Tom Surgey and Joe Wadsack.
The festival will launch its new Lumberjaxe Fire Stage this year, where visitors can watch barbecue masters in action with demonstrations of fire-cooked recipes and delicious food on offer such as cowboy butter tomahawk steak.
Showcasing the best of Brighton and beyond, many of the region’s most highly acclaimed Michelin and multi-award-winning chefs will also appear at the event, including Peter Dantanus from Burnt Orange, Jamie Halsall from Cin Cin, Mark Charker from The Bell in Ticehurst, Alun Sperring from Chilli Pickle, Paul Peters from Amberley Castle, Sophie Taverner from Lost In The Lanes and Rishi Anand from The Permit Room.
Read more: Sun shines as food festival kicks off a star-studded weekend in Brighton
In the children's cookery school younger guests can prepare food which they can take away. They can also join in the fun with the Mad Hatter's tea party.
Masterclasses in the drinks theatre include tutored champagne, beer, cider, cocktail and wine-tasting
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 range of street food and delicacies from all four corners of the globe. More than 200 exhibitors will take part in the event.
Throughout the weekend, the music stage presents a summer soundtrack with top tribute acts, cover bands and local bands, including Funk Odyssey Band, Majestix, h.eldritch, Barulho, Blunter Brothers, Caitlin McCarthy Band, Duane Forrest, Erica Jean, Fond of Rudy, Galaxy Thief, Livvy English Band, Lyra, Ministry of Anthems, The 45s, Nadia Moon, Rock Choir, The Ogretones and The Soul Steppers.
Other attractions and new features include battle of the TV chefs, cook school with experts, silent disco parties, chilli eating competitions, fairground rides, pop-up rock choirs, children’s activities and family-friendly areas.
Foodies Festival is in Preston Park, Brighton on May 4, 5 and 6.
Tickets range from £4 (child) and £21 (adult). Children under six go free.
Weekend tickets are from £38 (three-day).
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