It’s been a decade since I worked with The Foodies Festival for the first time, back in 2013 I was invited to come as their guest and sample the delights they had on offer in Battersea Park and I have, since then, worked with them many times. However, this year is the first year I’ve collaborated with them in my home city of Norwich and this weekend coming is the weekend that is going to show me how far this lush festival full of foodie treats has come in the last decade!
In 2023 the festival is more like a traditional festival with acts playing to entertain the crowds as we sample all the delights on offer in a gastronomic feast for the senses for food is not just for the taste, the art that is poured into creating some of the finest fodder in the country is feasting for the eyes also and I cannot wait to see and taste the lot!
It was at a Foodies Festival that I fell head over heels in love with truffle. A mere taste of something wonderful gave me a hankering for the flavour and a desire to use it in my own cooking at home and in me, because of this festival, a foodie was born. One flavour sensation and I was a devotee to cooking and eating better than ever before with this growing and expanding ever more as the years have gone on.
I loved the festival back then, all it had to offer seemed abundant but the way the festival looks today is something even better, an explosion of art forms coming together for enjoyment of all the finer things in life!
Is it family friendly? You bet’cha! It always was and this year children under 6 go FREE!
Who are the acts? The headliners at Earlham Park this weekend are Blue for Saturday the 9th of September and Toploader will be dancing in the moonlight on Saturday the 10th. Friday the 8th will ease in the fun with Cocktail, Cake and Abba Tribute kicking off the weekend in relaxed style with music and cocktails with treats! Sounds great and there’s something for everyone to be tapping their feet along to.
And what about the main event? Expect foodie masterclasses, demonstrations from top chefs, a foodie book shop and artisan treats to sample and buy in a wall to wall Smörgåsbord of all things delicious. From street food to à la carte offerings, the Foodies Festival has the lot! It’s a place to chill out and enjoy splendid last minute summer fun with the family. The weather is set to be scorchio! So, will I be seeing you there?!
Star names appearing in the live cooking theatres include: MasterChef champion, Irini Tzortzoglou, MasterChef: The Professionals champion, Alex Webb, Great British Menu winner and veteran judge, Richard Bainbridge, chef-patron of 3 AA awarded Benedicts in Norwich, BBC’s Saturday Kitchen regular, (our fave in the rocknrollerbaby house) Galton Blackiston, chef-patron of Michelin starred Morston Hall, near Blakeney, MasterChef 2023 finalists Anurag Aggarwal and Omar Foster and celebrity Spanish chef, Omar Allibhoy.
Michelin chef Galton Blackiston at Morston Hall hotel and restaurant. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
What about showing off the best of Norfolk? Showcasing the best of Norfolk, many of the most-highly acclaimed Michelin and multi-award-winning chefs will also appear, including: Chef-patron, Eric Snaith, from 3 AA Rosette awarded Titchwell Manor in Brancaster, (my mate Hannah’s husband) Andrew Jones, chef-patron of 3 AA Rosette awarded Farmyard restaurant in Norwich and The Dial House in Reepham and multi award-winning chef-patron and star of Great British Menu, Daniel Smith, from Michelin recommended The Ingham Swan in Norwich.
Tickets are on sale now priced as £38 for a full weekend ticket (£6 for children over 6) and there are lots of ticket options in between for day and afternoon/evening offerings if you just fancy a quick foray, or can’t manage the whole weekend!
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