THE UK’s biggest touring celebrity food and music will be in Winchester in less than a month’s time.
Foodies Festival, nicknamed ‘Gastro-Glastonbury’ will return to North Walls Recreation Ground for the second year with chart-topping headliners Scouting for Girls and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
From Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 16, visitors will be able to watch live cooking demonstrations by TV chefs from MasterChef, Great British Bake Off and Great British Menu, in addition to local Michelin-starred and award-winning cooks.
READ ABOUT LAST YEAR'S: Day one of Winchester Foodies Festival with food, drink and chart-topping music stars scheduled to come
Great British Bake Off 2022 winner, Syabira Yusoff, will be making her debut. She said: “I’m looking forward to sharing my passion and cooking in front of a live audience on the Foodies Festival tour. I’ll be baking some of my favourite cakes, sharing recipe ideas and talking about my amazing experience on the Great British Bake Off."
Hampshire chefs featuring in the interactive live theatres include Philip Bishop, head chef from 2 AA Rosette awarded The Greyhound on Test, Stockbridge; Gordon Stott, chef-patron from 2 AA Rosette awarded and Michelin recommended, The Purefoy Arms, Preston Candover; Dave Watts, chef-patron from Michelin recommended, The Crown Inn, Upton; and Tim Goodwin, owner of multi-award-winning bakery The Street Bakeshop, in Old Basing.
Younger foodies will also be able to visit the Kids Cookery School where Foodies SuperChefs will be on hand to help children prepare food to take away with them.
Masterclasses in the Drinks Theatre will feature champagne, beer, cider, cocktail and wine-tasting and presentations from BBC expert, Joe Wadsack, and ITV expert, Tom Surgery.
The Shopping Village will also be open with local producers showcasing in the artisan market. Other attractions include the Feasting Tent, a fairground, children’s activities and family-friendly areas as well as live music.
New this year is ‘Cocktails, Cabaret and Cake’ which will be kicking off the event on the Friday with cocktail-making sessions, mixologists and theatre shows with cabaret sessions, drag artists, comedy and a headline ABBA tribute band.
SEE ALSO: Festival celebrating all things vintage finds new home at Hampshire estate
Saturday headliner Scouting For Girls said: "We always look forward to Foodies and it just wouldn’t be summer without it! The festivals have a great vibe and we often bring our family and friends along to enjoy the fun. We’ve all taken a liking to the Japanese Bao Buns and the Jamaican Jerk Chicken, so we’ll also be looking forward to scoffing that. See you soon Winchester.”
The Bahamas-UK-Spain-based pop-rock band, Aliens Don’t Ring Doorbells, will also be making their Winchester debut on the Saturday following the release of their single Are You Crazy and supporting Scouting for Girls on tour.
Sunday headliner Sophie Ellis-Bextor said: “It’s wonderful to be joining the Foodies Festival tour again. Warm summer weekends full of lovely food and music, and families having fun together – I can’t wait!”
For the fifth year running, the festival is supporting Musicians Against Homelessness (MAH) with tickets raising money for UK-wide homelessness charity Crisis.
Aliens Don't Ring Doorbells frontman, Adam King, said: “Mental illness is often misunderstood; people can be quick to dismiss it as something that’s ‘all in your head’.
"As someone who has struggled with clinical depression for many years, I can attest to the fact that it’s not just a matter of feeling ‘sad’ or ‘down’ - it’s a pervasive feeling of unease and anxiety that can make even the simplest tasks seem insurmountable.
"it’s so important to talk about mental illness openly and honestly and to seek help when you need it. Whether that means talking to a doctor, trying therapy, or simply confiding in a trusted friend or family member, reaching out and seeking support can make a world of difference."
MAH founder Emma Rule said: “We are thrilled to be back at Foodies with our music stage and a fantastic line-up of artists, raising much-needed funds during these challenging times.”
Day tickets cost £3 per child and £18 per adult. Weekend tickets for all three days are also available for £38. To book go to foodiesfestival.com.
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