Nantwich Food Festival: Celebrating Food & Drink The Nantwich Way
Food and drink: we can’t live without them, so why not celebrate them in true Nantwich style?
The UK’s summer food festival scene has come a long way. Not long ago, it was all about quaint gatherings spotlighting single ingredients like oysters or garlic or championing local producers. These modest events, often set in picturesque locations, have evolved into what we now call “boutique” festivals, with a hyper-local focus on produce.
On the flip side, we have the “bumper-pack” festivals, the culinary extravaganzas that draw Glastonbury comparisons with their massive line-ups and endless entertainment. These all-singing, all-dancing events are the rock concerts of the food world.
So, where does the Nantwich Food Festival fit into this culinary hierarchy? It proudly stands apart, carving out a unique identity as one of the largest free-to-enter food festivals in the UK. This year, our three-day feast kicks off at 11 am on Friday, 30th August, offering an early bird chance to explore the town without the usual hustle and bustle.
What Cooking Means to You
Comfort, creativity, or banging out a perfect Sunday dinner – whatever cooking means to you, you’ve probably done a lot of it, experiencing everything from the brilliant to the burnt. Sound familiar? Then you’re probably a fan of cooking shows too, right? We certainly are.
Get Hands-On with the Cookalong
After its successful launch last year, the ‘Cookalong’ is back. This is your chance to get hands-on and learn from the pros. From lobster salad to risotto, coffee tasting to cocktail making, there’s something for everyone. Be sure to book in advance to secure your spot.
We’re especially excited about the coffee sessions. The Crave Coffee Experience, Origin to Cup, and everything in between will have you brewing up three different single-origin coffees from Brazil using the V60 brewing method.
Meet the Celebrity Chefs
And then, there are the celebrity chefs. A standout this year is Cherish Finden. Known for her role as a judge on Bake Off: The Professionals, Cherish combines culinary artistry with patisserie, pushing the boundaries of dessert creation. With over 20 years of experience, she has earned accolades like the Top London Afternoon Tea Award and the Pastry Chef of the Year by the Craft Guild of Chefs.
Shout Out to the Volunteers
We couldn’t talk about the food fest, its impact, and its importance without shouting out the extraordinary team of volunteers that make it happen. Yep, you heard it right – volunteers, doing something for nothing, which is rare these days. Months of planning, organisation, conversations, meetings, hours, and hours of time are given up to make each year’s festival the best it can possibly be. Join us in thanking them all over the festival this year.
It’s not just about the top-notch scran available. The town bursts into life with live music everywhere, events in bars and shops, and the entire community gets behind what has become a legendary weekend.
Check out the full gallery HERE.
