Shropshire chef launches new food and music festival in Ironbridge

A new food and music festival is set to launch in the Ironbridge Gorge next month, bringing two days of fire cooking, entertainment and family activities to one of Telford’s most recognisable locations.

Embers Fire Festival will take place at Dale End Park on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3, running from 11am to 9pm each day.

The event has been created by Embers Café Ironbridge and live‑fire specialist chef Adam Purnell – better known as The Shropshire Lad.

Adam, whose bold wood‑fired cooking has earned him a national following, will headline the festival’s Kadai demo stage.

Joining on the stage, hosted by TV presenters Sam and Shauna, is a cast of fire cooking talent spanning community chefs, pit masters, Le Cordon Bleu-trained cooks and a Beirut-born restaurateur whose work has been praised by Jay Rayner.

Demonstrators across the weekend include George Egg, Hungry Guy, Matty's Chop Shop, Big Nath, Shane and Maisie McBagley and Jad Youssef.

Visitors will also be able to sample dishes from a world‑class roster of food vendors. DJ BBQ, aka Christian Stevenson, will serve North Carolina‑style barbecue, while long‑time Rick Stein head chef Stéphane Delourme turns his attention to seafood cooked over fire.

Fusion specialists Cue Point, Smokey Rebel and former RAF chef Davey Davey‑Smith of Reclaimed Fire complete a line‑up offering flavours from across the globe, with vegetarian and vegan options available.

Adam said: “Embers Fire Festival brings together everything I’m passionate about – incredible food, great music and a proper shared experience in a place I love.

“Ironbridge is where I opened my first fire‑cooking café, so bringing world‑class food and music here feels like a perfect fit.

“We’d really encourage people to make a weekend of it – the walking is spectacular and there’s brilliant local accommodation all around us.”

Music, entertainment and family activities

A full music programme will run across both days. Saturday’s line‑up includes Telford pop‑rock act Callum & The Pookies, festival regulars Urban Jukebox, reggae favourites The Reggulites and Shropshire storytellers The Black Rapids.

Sunday features Oasis tribute band Supernova, ska outfit Skaburst, Over the Hillbillies and singer‑songwriter Joe Seager, supported by a resident DJ roster.

Saturday afternoon will also see Clifton Chilli Club host a live chilli‑eating competition, challenging contestants to take on increasingly fiery peppers in front of the crowd.

Family entertainment will run throughout the weekend, with explosive science shows from Elementary Entertainment, fire play and circus skills workshops from Stiklings, an immersive role‑play village from Dinky Street and giant games from Boardroom Gaming. A kids’ disco and dedicated family wellbeing space complete the programme.

A curated market will showcase local traders including Shropshire Salumi, Paso Primero, Waz’s Sauce Hut, Henstone Distillery, Peter Cooke Bread, Smokey Rebel Rubs, Black Sky Blades, Toot Sweets, Risdon & Risdon, TH Pottery and Mel’s Craft Market.

Tickets and further information are available at embersfirefestival.co.uk