UK's Top Festival Of Food And Drink Expands In 2013

Foodies Festival Announces New Features and Dates

www.foodiesfestival.com

Foodies Festival, the UK's largest celebration of food and drink, returns in 2013 with events scheduled at Brighton, Tatton Park, Hampton Court Palace, Clapham Common, Bristol, Edinburgh and Oxford. In addition, this year will see the launch of Feast in the Park at Battersea Park in August.

Now in its eighth year, Foodies Festival is introducing new elements to all events in 2013. These include a spectacular Bake and Cake Theatre sponsored by Electrolux incorporating a 'bake-along' with members of the audience invited to participate with stars of the Great British Bake Off including Ruth Clements and Lindy Smith, a Chocolate Theatre to showcase the world of chocolate and confectionary with demonstrations at each show from David Greenwood-Haigh of Divine Chocolate and pastry chefs from top local restaurants, a Wine Village bringing together producers and wine regions from across the world including Chapel Down English wine and French wine regions Vins de Provence and Beaujolais with Oz Clarke and GMTV's Charles Metcalfe appearing in the Wine Theatre; and Homeware Village, a new market area offering kitchenware and gadgets.

In 2013, food-lovers can also enjoy the new dining and VIP area serving signature dishes from top local restaurants at each event including Ed Baines with Randall & Aubin at Hampton Court Palace and Dermot O'Leary's restaurant Fishy Fishy at Brighton.

The bar area has been given a countryside make-over featuring hay bales and focusing on British artisanal cider and ale.

These will complement Foodies' existing features: the Chefs' Theatre spotlighting top chefs from the region including Michelin's 3-starred Clare Smyth, Michelin-starred Atul Kocher and Matt Gillan as well as TV chefs Gennaro Contaldo and Martin Blunos; the Drinks' Theatre where visitors are amongst the first in the UK to sample 100s of products as well as brush up on their knowledge at the daily wine, ales and spirits masterclasses with experts Oz Clarke, Charles Metcalfe and beer blacksmith Melissa Cole; the Children's Cookery Theatre operated by neighbouring cookery schools; a Cocktail Theatre hosting top mixologists; the extensive Producers' Market selling artisan produce from the local area and incorporating the Guild of Fine Food Great Taste Market's award-winning British produce; and the popular Street Food Avenue which sells a vast array of ready-to-eat food from around the world.

Relaxation in 2013 comes in the form of a City Beach where families can chill out on deckchairs with an artisan ice-cream or an afternoon tea whilst the children build sandcastles.  Various specialist tea, coffee and fresh juice vendors can be found around the site.  The entertainment stage features live music acts performing every day until 8pm.

FOODIES FESTIVAL DATES AND INFO

Brighton Hove Lawns - Sat 4, Sun 5, Mon 6 May

Highlights include Dermot O'Leary's restaurant 'Fishy Fishy', and chef demos from TV chef Gennaro Contaldo, Michelin-starred Matt Gillan of Great British Menu fame and A. Stephen Crane, as well as Michael Bremner of top vegetarian eatery Food for Friends, Andrew Mackenzie, Adrian Hawkins, Stephen Crane and Mike Dodd.  Youngsters can make animal-themed cakes in the Children's Cookery Theatre hosted by Cookery Doodle Doo, whilst adults will enjoy learning how to make gin and tonic cake in the Bake and Cake Theatre with the decadent Emilly Ladybird, in conjunction with Hendricks. There will also chocolate demos from Riddle & Fins chefs and Yum Yum Ninja.  Opening times: 11am until 8pm.

Tatton Park, Cheshire - Fri 17, Sat 18, Sun 19 May

Highlights include cookery demos from David Mooney, Masterchef contestant and local restaurateur Jackie Kearney and ex-Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson, who will also be exhibiting his farm shop in the Producers' Market.  Compere for the theatre will be local celebrity chef Rachel Green.  An exclusive for Tatton Park Foodies in 2013 is a special AEG cookery school run in conjunction with the Cheshire Cook School. The Children's Cookery Theatre will be hosted by Kiddy Cook. Bakers will be delighted to see Great British Bake off star Ruth Clemens in the Bake and Cake Theatre as well as steampunk baker Emilly Ladybird.  Opening times: 10am until 7pm.

Hampton Court Palace - Sat 25, Sun 26, Mon 27 May

All VIP meals at Hampton Court will be prepared by award-winning chef Ed Baines and his Randall & Aubin restaurant team. Other highlights include demos from TV chefs Gennaro Contaldo, Ed Baines and Martin Blunos,  Michelin-starred Steve Drake, Vivek Singh and Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi in the Chefs' Theatre which will be compered for the whole weekend by Masterchef 2012 winner Shelina Permalloo.  Kiddy Cook will host the Children's Theatre and bakers will enjoy demos from celebration cake expert Lindy Smith in the Bake and Cake Theatre. Opening times: 10am until 8pm.

London Clapham Common - Fri 7, Sat 8, Sun 9 June

Masterchef winner 2012 Shelina Permaloo is hosting a Chefs' Theatre shining with Michelin stars including Atul Kochar of Saturday Kitchen fame, Sean Burbidge of Petrus, Marcus McGuinness of Hibiscus and the UK's only female chef to hold 3 Michelin stars, Clare Smyth of Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. The Children's Cookery Theatre is hosted by Funky Lunch and cake-maker-extraordinaire Lindy Smith will be appearing in the Bake and Cake Theatre. Discover the Origin wines are bringing in Masterchef, The Professionals star Jun Tunaka and wine-expert Oz Clarke for special demos.  Opening times: 11am until 8pm.

Bristol Harbourside - Fri 12, Sat 13, Sun 14 July

Telegraph food writer Xanthe Clay will host the Chef's Theatre with highlights including TV's Martin Blunos, Michelin-starred Richard Davies of Great British Menu fame, Romy Gill and Rachel Demuth of Bath's famous vegetarian restaurant Demuths, amongst others. Kiddy Cook will host the Children's Theatre and cake-lovers will enjoy demos from steampunk baker Emilly Ladybird and sugarcraft experts in the Bake and Cake Theatre.  Opening times: 11am until 8pm.

Edinburgh Inverleith Park - Fri 9, Sat 10, Sun 11 August

Foodies veteran Jacqueline O'Donnell will compere the Chefs' Theatre with demos from Great British Menu contestant Mark Greenaway, Paul Wedgwood and former Scottish Chef of the Year, Neil Forbes. In keeping with Foodies tradition, top Edinburgh Festival Fringe comedians will 'perform' in the Chefs' Theatre. Opening times: 10am until 8pm.

Oxford South Parks - Sat 24, Sun 25, Mon 26 August

Telegraph food writer Xanthe Clay will compere the Chef's Theatre all weekend hosting Michelin-starred chefs Gary Jones from Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons and Daniel Galmiche of The Vineyard at Stockcross.  Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi of Italian restaurant and cook school noteraity and TV cook Sophie Grigson will also make appearances, whilst the decadent steampunk baker Emilly Ladybird will appear in the Bake and Cake Theatre.  Opening times: 10am until 8pm.

FEAST IN THE PARK AT BATTERSEA PARK

Battersea Park - Fri 16, Sat 17, Sun 18 August

A new addition to the Foodies Festival, Feast in the Park invites London to eat and drink at some of the capital's most talked-about restaurants as they pop up for 3 days in the beautiful setting of Battersea Park.  More details to be announced later this month.

Ticket Information

2013 Foodies Festivals tickets are now available from www.foodiesfestival.com or by calling 0844 995 1111.

Foodies Festival at Brighton, Tatton Park, Bristol, Edinburgh and Oxford

1-day adult ticket £12.00 (£10.00 concession)

3-day adult ticket £18.00 (£15.00 concession)

1-day VIP ticket £38.00

Foodies Festival at Hampton Court Palace and Clapham Common London

1-day adult ticket £15.00 (£12.00 concession)

3-day adult ticket £25.00 (£18.00 concession)

1-day VIP ticket £48.00

VIP tickets include a free glass of champagne on arrival, access to the VIP tent throughout the day, a taster meal from one of the pop-up restaurant tents, a goody bag and reserved seating in theatre and masterclass sessions.

All children aged 12 and under go free to all Foodies Festivals when accompanied by an adult.