A brand-new look has been unveiled for the Cheshire and North Wales Food And Drink Festival.
The revamped festival, being held over Easter weekend (April 3-5), will bring together the very best food and drink producers from across the region alongside live music, celebrity chef demonstrations, family entertainment and activities for all ages.
Chef demonstrations will feature Bake Off winner Matty Edgell and show judge Cherish Finden.
Organisers say tickets are selling out quickly and the refreshed format will make the event one of the standout highlights of the city’s calendar this year.
They are pledging to combine the region’s thriving food scene with a packed programme of live entertainment and family fun.
Steven Hesketh, one of the organisers behind the festival, said the team is determined to make the new-look event the biggest and best yet.
“We’re so excited to bring Chester Racecourse a fresh, lively weekend packed with the very best of Cheshire and North Wales produce, alongside music, family fun, chef demos and cooking classes,” he said.
The festival will showcase dozens of local producers, street food traders and artisan brands, giving visitors the chance to taste their way around some of the finest food and drink from across the region.
Alongside the food stalls, visitors can enjoy chef demonstrations from some of the UK’s most respected culinary talents, as well as hands-on cooking classes for adults and children.
The entertainment programme will add another dimension to the event, with live music performances taking place throughout the weekend.
Saturday’s pop-themed day will see former Pop Idol star Gareth Gates headline the stage, joined by a Taylor Swift tribute act performing the global superstar’s biggest hits.
Sunday will take on a country flavour, featuring the UK’s number one country artist Rob Wheeler alongside a Dolly Parton tribute and a lively line dancing performance set to get the crowd moving.
For families, there will be plenty to keep younger visitors entertained, with a dedicated kids’ zone featuring super pirates, face painting, mascots, funfair rides and a host of games and activities running across the weekend. Chester Zoo will be partnering with event organisers to offer fun things to do for children attending.
The new-look festival follows efforts to revitalise and relaunch the long-running Taste Cheshire food event, which was saved and reimagined under a new format designed to secure its future.
The refreshed Cheshire and North Wales Food Festival also recently announced hometown brand Chance Clean Cider as its headline sponsor, giving a further boost to the event as it prepares to welcome thousands of visitors to the city.
Organisers say the new partnership highlights the festival’s focus on celebrating local producers while supporting businesses across the Cheshire and North Wales food and drink sector.
What’s On Across the Weekend
Friday – Local Legends Day
The festival opens by celebrating regional musical talent, with acoustic performances from Danny Sergiou, Sophie Roxanne (from The Voice) and Stephen Lockhart.
On the Chef Demo Stage, visitors can watch leading chefs Brian Mellor, Paul Askew, MasterChef winner Brin Parathapan and Great British Menu star Daniel Ap Geraint.
Saturday – Pop Day
Saturday brings a pop-packed line-up featuring a Taylor Swift tribute alongside a headline performance from Gareth Gates.
Chef demonstrations will feature Bake Off winner Matty Edgell, headliner Cherish Finden, The Lumberjaxe’s and Ellis Barrie.
Sunday – Country Day
The weekend wraps up with a country-themed celebration starring the UK’s number one country artist Rob Wheeler, a Dolly Parton tribute and a line dancing performance.
On the Chef Demo Stage, visitors can see Jon Watts, The Lumberjaxe’s, Aiden Byrne and Babna.
All Weekend
Cooking classes for adults and children will run throughout the festival, alongside a kids’ zone featuring super pirates, face painting, mascots and funfair rides, ensuring plenty of fun for families while food lovers explore the very best of Cheshire and North Wales produce.
