For those planning on visiting the Exeter Food & Drink Festival over the first bank holiday in May, a star-studded line up of chefs and producers for the event has now been announced.  The list includes the likes of Mitch Tonks, Michael Caines, Gareth Howarth and Josh Eggleton. The annual food and music festival sees thousands of foodies flock to Exeter Castle and Northernhay Gardens to indulge in regional produce and see the region’s top culinary talent in action.

The festival returns to Northernhay Gardens and Exeter Castle from Saturday 4th to Monday 6th May 2019. Supported by Visit Exeter, the foodie spectacular celebrates the start of spring with live music, chef demonstrations, artisan produce, real ales and cider, family-friendly workshops and a chance to meet the dedicated producers behind the products.

Visitors to the Festival can browse the two food and drink marquees discovering the region’s finest produce from the likes of Sharpham Wine and Cheese, Burrow Farm Food, Salcombe Gin, Georgie Porgies Puddings, The Little Bakes Bakery, Braunton Asparagus and many more.  Back again for 2019, visitors will have a chance to visit new exhibitors taking part in Fresh at the Festival; an initiative created to champion those who’ve been in business fewer than three years. Sponsored by NFU Mutual Exeter, exhibitors are offered discounted participation, training and promotion to help these start-ups get as much support as possible.  This year’s exhibitors include: Butter Bike Co, Cocorico, Passion for Pie, Pretty Little Pastries Ltd, Sweet Foragers and Two Drifters Brewery.

This year’s Festival Cookery Theatre has an impressive line-up celebrating the very best of the region’s chefs. Running every day over the Festival, Michael Caines MBE will kick start the demonstrations and masterclasses followed by the likes of Fifteen Cornwall’s Adam Banks, ODE Restaurant’s Tim Bouget, The Angel’s Elly Wentworth, Gidleigh Park’s Gareth Howarth, Rockfish’s Mitch Tonks, Pony and Trap’s Josh Eggleton, founder of Riverford Field Kitchen Jane Baxter and The Salutation Inn’s Tom Williams-Hawkes.  The full Cookery Theatre timetable can be found on the website.

Festivities kick off at 6.30pm on Friday 3rd May with Exeter Beats, featuring live music, street-food, regional drinks and a lively atmosphere.  Two further Exeter Beats events will light up the courtyard on Saturday and Sunday evenings with Radio Exe hosting. The daytime festival opens on Saturday 4th May at 10am and continues throughout the Bank Holiday weekend.

https://exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk