FOODIES FESTIVAL – the biggest gourmet food, drink and music festival series in the UK – will be coming to Winchester for the first time this July, featuring MasterChef and Bake Off champions and chart- topping favourites Scouting For Girls.
Award-winning chefs taking part in the Foodies series this summer, include: Tom Rhodes , MasterChef 2021 champion, Alex Webb , MasterChef: The Professionals champion, 2020 MasterChef winner Thomas Frake, and Dave Friday – Hampshire’s home-grown Great British Bake Off star.
The musical feast is just as sumptuous with platinum-selling chart-toppers Scouting For Girls performing their many crowd-pleasing hits, including ’She’s So Lovely’ ‘Heartbeat’ and ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’. Also on the line-up is top-ranked Lady Gaga tribute act Maybe Gaga and Ultimate Coldplay . Over fifty excellent bands and artists will take to the stage across the long weekend.
Scouting For Girls star Roy Stride 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 as the sun sets on a perfect summer’s day out, 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 began in 2004 and was rapidly dubbed the “Gastro-Glastonbury”. The UK’s biggest food, drink and music event returns with a vengeance this Summer with Covid-safe events in ten British regions.
At the three-day festival, visitors can enjoy the Chefs Theatre, Cake & Bake Theatre, Drinks Theatre with wine, champagne, beer and cocktail making masterclasses, Shopping Village with award-winning artisan producers, Street Food Avenue, Kids Cookery School and live music stage. Other attractions include Foodies famous chilli eating competition and family friendly areas with activities for children.
Over 150 exhibitors will showcase their produce, providing festival-goers with a fantastic opportunity to sample the best of Hampshire – and to try a huge selection of delicious food and drink from around the world.
Alex Webb , Masterchef: The Professionals champion 2020, is elated to be joining the series. He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be touring around the country with Foodies Festivals this summer. I’ve been working on lots of delicious new recipes and I can’t wait to see you all in person and cook live on stage!”
Dave Friday GBBO Finalist 2020: “I am really excited to be part of this event, foodies festival really gets me excited for summer so I will be whipping up some delicious desserts to get everyone feeling those summer vibes.”
Also appearing on the menu – Matthew Whitfield , head chef of 3 AA Rosette restaurant The Montague Arms, Alistair Craig from Cambium at Careys Manor and Senspa and 2016 MasterChef champion and author Jane Devonshire , from Basingstoke.
Festival director Sue Hitchen said: “I am so pleased to bring Foodies Festival to the beautiful city of Winchester, which has such a popular food market and a great local Foodie scene. We will be celebrating Hampshire’s local produce and giving top chefs from local restaurants an opportunity to cook live in the Chefs Theatre. As we’re 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.”
Dates and Ticket Prices
Devils Island, Gordon Road, Winchester
Friday 16th July – Sunday 18th July
Adult day ticket price £19 Weekend Ticket £29 Children aged 12 and under go free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are on sale now at www.foodiesfestival.com and 0844 9951111
Competition Time
We have 7 family ( weekend tickets to giveaway for this event, starting on Wednesday 26th May ,we will be giving one away each week with a #WinningWednesday Facebook post on our main Facebook page LoveAndover. A family ticket allows entry for 2 adults and up to 4 children under 18 years of age for the 3 days.
Good Luck
