The biggest gourmet food, drink and music festival in the UK will be returning to Oxford this August Bank Holiday weekend with a menu of top culinary talent.
Foodies Festival – dubbed 'the gastro Glastonbury' by organisers – features MasterChef and Bake Off champions and chart-topping favourites Natalie Imbruglia, The Feeling and Toploader.
Award-winning chefs taking part this summer, include MasterChef: The Professionals 2021 champion Daniel Lee, alongside fellow finalist, Aaron Middleton, MasterChef 2020 champion Thomas Frake and Celebrity MasterChef champion, Riyadh Khalaf.
They will be joined by star bakers, including Great British Bake Off’s Jurgen Krauss and Lottie Bedlow and Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch bread expert Jack Sturgess AKA ‘Bake with Jack'.
Local teenage sensation, Kitty Tait, author and baker from The Orange Bakery in Watlington, will be creating show-stopping cakes and patisseries in the Cake and Bake Theatre.
And a legion of chefs from Michelin-starred and award-winning restaurants will give the festival a distinctive local flavour, including chef-patron Mike North from The Nut Tree Inn, Murcott, Michelin-starred chef and Great British Menu's Paul Welburn and award-winning chefs-patrons Yeshi and Julie Jampa, from Taste of Tibet in Oxford.
Mr Lee said: “I am thrilled to be performing in the Chefs Theatre at Foodies Festival in Oxford this year.
"I’m hoping that people will enjoy a bit more of an in-depth and interactive explanation into why I cook the food I do, and where my inspiration for it comes from.
"For me food is all about bringing people together, and that’s exactly what Foodies Festival is about!”
A host of bands and artists will take to a stage in South Park, across the long weekend.
Natalie Imbruglia said: “I’m looking forward to performing at Foodies Festival in the beautiful city of Oxford, it’s going to be a wonderful bank holiday weekend of food and music!”
The Feeling added: “It's great to be joining the Foodies tour in Oxford and getting the opportunity to try out some of the lovely local produce.... as we are all big lovers of good food and drink, this ticks all the boxes!"
At the three-day festival, which runs from Saturday to Monday, visitors can enjoy a Chefs Theatre, Cake & Bake Theatre, Drinks Theatre with wine, champagne, beer and cocktail-making masterclasses, Shopping Village with award-winning artisan producers, Street Food Avenue and Kids Cookery School.
Other attractions include its notorious chilli-eating competition.
Over 150 exhibitors will showcase their produce, providing what organisers say is a fantastic opportunity to sample the best of Oxford – as well as food and drink from around the world.
Director Sue Hitchen, said: "I am so pleased that we are returning to Oxford this year, bringing top chefs to cook live and big name music acts to our stage.
"There has never been a better time to support local restaurants and food producers and we are all ready to enjoy a fun day out with friends."
Supporting rising talent, the Musicians Against Homelessness stage will feature over 40 artists across the weekend, with the best of local bands and an introduction to exciting new acts from across the UK.
Musicians Against Homelessness founder, Emma Rule, said: “I’m very pleased to help bring this amazing line-up of artists to Foodies in Oxford. I can’t praise them enough for their generous support in these difficult times.
“The last two years have been incredibly hard for charities and the hospitality industry alike. But together we can and will make a difference.”
Foodies Festival takes place at South Park, Oxford, from Saturday to Monday.
Adult day ticket price £19; weekend ticket £29; children aged 12 and under go free when accompanied by an adult.
Tickets are on sale now at foodiesfestival.com and 0844 9951111.
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