Foodies flock to Brighton’s biggest annual food and drink festival

Foodies Festival Brighton Title Sussex Magazine www.titlesussex.co.uk

If you’re into your grub, there’s no better place to be this May Bank Holiday than Brighton Hove Lawns, where the annual Foodies Festival will be showcasing some of the most delectable cuisine on offer in Sussex and beyond. We catch up with the event’s managing director, Sue Hitchen, who fills us in on what to expect from the three-day event in 2018

From 5-7 May this year, gourmets from far and wide will once again make their way to Brighton Hove Lawns for the annual Bank Holiday feast that is the Foodies Festival. As the UK’s biggest roadshow celebration of food and drink, the Foodies series also spans Bristol, London, Birmingham, Cheshire, Edinburgh and Oxford, serving up mouth-watering dishes, live music, cooking demos and fun for the whole family.

“Brighton visitors are real foodies, and really enjoy watching their local chefs and bakers on stage,” says managing director Sue Hitchen. “Visitors love to try new tastes and flavours at the festivals, and we always get such a warm welcome – plus, they’re always the first to get up and dance!”

FAMOUS FACES
This year’s event is no exception, with plenty of culinary highlights to look forward to. Standouts for 2018 include live cooking from celebrity chefs such as Matt Gillan, as well as the likes of Ockenden Manor’s Stephen Crane and Great British Menu winner Michael Bremmer, who will be providing invaluable hints and tips from decades spent in professional kitchens.

REALLY big news also is that Kenny Tutt – this year’s Masterchef winner – is going to be joining in the fun!

Elsewhere, bloggers Zoella and Alfie’s new gin cocktail will be available to try at The Pointless pop-up bar, while Great British Bake Off winner Sophie Faldo is due to make a special appearance at the Cake and Bake Theatre. Plus, with Prosecco and Parmesan masterclasses in the Drinks Theatre, Foodies Workshops and cake and cabaret on offer too, it’s set to be an epicurean event to remember.

Drnks and cocktails at the Foodies Fesitval Brighton Title Sussex Magazine www.titlesussex.co.uk

NEW THIS YEAR AND NOT TO BE MISSED
Look out for Musicians Against Homelessness stage. Teaming up with the grassroots rock music movement – which has already raised more than £100,000 for homelessness charities, and will run two months of fund-raising gigs in 2018 – the music stage features unmissable acts like Toploader and The Hoosiers, helping to combat homelessness by raising much-needed funds for charity.

Explains Sue: “We’ve worked with local emerging artists in Brighton for years to give them the opportunity to play live on our music stage, and this year we’re ramping the music up by working with Musicians Against Homelessness, and raising money for the charity Crisis, which directly helps homeless people.”

WHAT ABOUT KIDS?
Families won’t want to miss out either, as a whole host of activities and events will be a big pull for kids and grown-ups alike.

“Children can learn to cook at the Children’s Cookery Theatre, where they’ll explore their taste buds and try food from around the world, while also having fun at creative workshops, on bouncy castles, and at the face-painting station in the Kidzone,” Sue reveals.

“Foodies is a great day out with friends and family, with the opportunity to have extra fun by entering our daily chilli-eating contest, and our brand new cream pie-throwing challenge.”

Foodies Festival Brighton cakes Title Sussex Magazine www.titlesussex.co.uk

And as if that wasn’t enough, you can gorge at over 30 delicious street food stalls in the Street Food Avenue; join chocolate-making, cake-decorating and Kombucha workshops; sample and buy from artisan producers in the market area; and sip on refreshing cocktails from the Tequila Shack, Tikki Rum Bar and Gin Station.

Whatever your tastes, you’re bound to discover sights, smells, flavours and dishes that will tantalise your taste buds at the Brighton Foodies festival this year – just don’t eat too big a breakfast before you arrive, as this is an epicurean extravaganza that’s not for the faint of heart!

To find out more about Brighton Foodies Festival, visit www.foodiesfestival.com/brighton-food-festival

About Fred Latty
An accomplished freelance journalist and editor, Fred is responsible for proofing and subbing our print titles and online content to ensure quality across our entire portfolio. His keen eye for detail means that the Title brand’s voice, style and tone remains consistent throughout its range of magazines and digital platforms.