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25,000 set to descend on Shrewsbury Food Festival

Up to 25,000 food and drink fans will descend on Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park to celebrate the town’s award-winning food festival.

By Andy Richardson
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Celebrity chef Sally Bee, from ITV's Lorraine, will give a demonstration and lead workshops at Shrewsbury Food Festival

And a free lunch with TV star Nick Knowles will be on offer for one lucky visitor to Shrewsbury Food Festival as part of a charity auction, designed to raise funds for Self Help Africa.

The event, judged by visitors and critics as being the best food festival in the West Midlands and the second best in the UK, will feature on June 24 and 25.

Visitors to Shrewsbury Food Festival can bid to have lunch with Nick Knowles, who attended last year's event with Chris Burt, left, and Becky Porter, right, two local cooks.
Visitors to Shrewsbury Food Festival can bid to have lunch with Nick Knowles, who attended last year's event with Chris Burt, left, and Becky Porter, right, two local cooks.

It will feature 200 food, drink and craft stands, demonstrations from celebrity chefs, workshops with local cooks, live music from Shropshire bands, free activities for children and fringe events that raise money for charity.

There will be an auction with free dinners at local restaurants – including one with DIY SOS host Nick Knowles, at O Joy Wellness – and the chance to rub shoulders with Michelin-starred chefs.

People will also be able to graze their way around the festival, meeting award-winning producers from across the region.

Beth Heath, event chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to be back for our fifth year and thrilled that the festival has become so popular.

“In the past few months, we’ve been named Britain’s Second Best Food Festival in a national poll and also been named the best in the West Midlands. That’s all down to our brilliant exhibitors, our amazing chefs, our phenomenal volunteers and the other people who support us.”

Mrs Heath added that the festival remained the best value in the region, with prices pegged at £7 for adults and £15 for families.

This year’s event will also feature a giant marquee filled with free activities for children.

Judy Bourne, from Monks Estate Agents, one of the festival’s sponsors, said: “There’s a stunning line-up this year and it promises to be an amazing weekend. Even the weather forecast is looking pretty good.”

The event will feature TV star Sally Bee, who is the chef on ITV’s Lorraine. She will be signing copies of her new book, Beelicious, and teaching people how to cook. She said: “Shrewsbury is such a pretty town, I can’t wait.”

Chris Burt, from Mytton and Mermaid, said: “The food festival is the biggest celebration of local food and drink in the region. It’s going to be a mega year.”

People who want to avoid entry fees can volunteer for the event, receiving free tickets and free food and drink in exchange for a half-day shift.

Full details are at shrewsburyfoodfestival.co.uk