Shrewsbury Food Festival: Organisers promising the 'best festival yet'

Organisers are planning more family fun than ever before, a national barbecue competition and a galaxy of starry chefs who’ve dazzled millions on TV while winning Michelin stars.

Event chief executive Beth Heath says: “We’re planning our best festival yet. We’ve got an amazing barbecue contest so people will be able to taste food cooked by specialists from around the UK. We’ve also got a brilliant programme of activities for families and kids. There’s more on site than ever before.”

The event will feature more than 200 exhibitors, including scores of award-winning producers from across the region. There will also be the opportunity for people to buy crafts from Shropshire artisans, who will give demonstrations throughout the weekend.

And the event has booked its best ever line-up of celebrity cooks and Michelin star holders.

Chris Burt, from the Mytton & Mermaid, who curates the FBC Manby Bowdler Cookery School and the Wenlock Spring Chef Demonstration stage, says: “We’ve really upped our game this year to give Shrewsbury the best line-up that it’s ever had.

“The food festival has won a number of awards and is now firmly established as the best in Shropshire. This year raises the bar yet again and we’re really excited about what’s in store.”

The event will feature demonstrations from TV star Paul Askew, who scored 10 out of 10 on BBC TV’s Great British Menu and who published his debut book at Christmas.

Paul, who is chef-patron at The Art School Restaurant, in Liverpool, said: “I’ve heard a lot about Shrewsbury Food Festival and I know it’s welcomed some incredible chefs and producers in recent years.

Debut

“So I’m really looking forward to making my debut at the event and to cooking for the masses.

“I’ll be signing copies of my book, Onwards and Upwards, across the weekend and I’m looking forward to a great weekend.”

The event will also feature BBC TV MasterChef The Professionals star Leo Kattou, who made it to the final stages of the competition. He cooks at Simpsons, in Birmingham, which has held a Michelin star since 2000 and is one of the region’s most popular fine-dining restaurant.

Leo says: “Simpsons has strong links with the Shrewsbury Food Festival and our guys have demoed at the event before. This will be my first appearance and I can’t wait to get cooking.”

One of the UK’s very best chefs, the Michelin-starred Gareth Ward, from Ynyshir, near Machynlleth, will also be featuring at the event. Gareth is strongly tipped to win a second Michelin star and is thought of as a trail-blazing cook.

The line-up will also feature local chefs Chris Burt, from Mytton & Mermaid, Karl Martin, from Old Downton Lodge, Stuart Collins, from Docket 33, plus Ludlow baker Robert Swift, among others.

Carl Jones, one of the hosts of the stage, says: “The food festival is a terrific addition to Shrewsbury’s annual events calendar and there’s so much to see and do on site.

“It’s a real family-friendly environment and, as well as browsing the stalls and picking up some great bargains, there’s the chance for people to watch spectacular demonstrations that are both informative and entertaining. It’s a terrific event and we’re all looking forward to welcoming tens of thousands of visitors this year.”

Meanwhile, visitors to the event will get the chance to cook with some of those chefs in the FBC Manby Bowdler Cookery School.

Chris Burt explains: “It’s incredible that people can cook with people like Paul Askew. We’re also hoping that TV’s Nick Knowles will be putting in an appearance for a vegan cookery class. It’s going to be great fun.”

Beth adds that families would be at the heart of the event and people would be able to get up close and personal with a range of animals, chill out in a picnic area, enjoy plenty of entertainment or relax near to stalls selling hot food.

Artisans

She said: “Our festival has always been about artisans, and 2018 is no different, so we’ve invited some of Shropshire’s finest craftspeople to exhibit their wares.

“You’ll be able to have a go at some delicious baking and learn some of the skills that local food producers use day-in and day-out to make scrumptious food.

“Some of our finest chefs will stage demonstrations, where you can see how they create their award-winning dishes.

“Just like in 2017, we have a brilliant line-up on our #shropshireunsigned music stage, to keep you entertained whilst you relax. There’s also great entertainment for the kids with plenty of games.”

The #shropshireunsigned stage will feature a dozen of the region’s best live bands playing new songs and cover versions.

The food festival helps to generate around £1 million each year for the local economy with artisan producers, local restaurants and independent retailers all benefiting from the boom.

It helps to attract new visitors to Shrewsbury with many people making their way into the town to enjoy fringe events after enjoying their day at the festival.

Beth says that this year’s festival will shine the spotlight on al fresco eating with a national competition to find Britain’s best barbecue cook.

She adds: “We’re always trying to come up with new ideas and this year we’re looking to introduce a major new barbecue event. It will be lots of fun to watch great cooks get busy on the barbecue and I’m sure visitors will enjoy sampling some of the delicious food that’s on offer.

“We’re very proud that the festival has been running successfully since 2013 and that it’s become firmly established while winning a number of awards.”

l Visit www.shrewsburyfoodfestival.co.uk for more information and tickets.