Looking for food festivals to visit in August? Here’s our round-up of the best food festivals taking place this month, from one of the hottest food events in Oxfordshire, to a craft beer festival in London. Check out all of August’s foodie events, here…
The Big Feastival
A star-studded line up in both music and food sees the likes of Clean Bandit and Craig David sharing the spotlight with Mark Hix, Tommy Banks and Richard Bertinet at this ever-popular Cotswolds festival.
Well-loved street food trucks will be there to offer sustenance after dancing the night away – try Oli Bab’s halloumi fries, Made of Dough’s top-notch pizzas and Breddos Tacos’ baja fish – or head to the NEFF Big Kitchen where award-winning chefs Raymond Blanc and Will Bowlby will demonstrate some impressive kitchen tips and tricks. Supper clubs (including a tequila-fuelled Mexican dinner with Patrón and Breddos Tacos), a cheese hub and a vintage funfair will also be part of the festivities.
Gin lovers rejoice, as there will also be gin masterclasses from Warner Edwards (one of our favourite British gins picked here).
24 – 26 August, thebigfeastival.com
Wilderness
One of the hottest food events of the year, Wilderness festival in Oxfordshire combines the off-beat fun of the modern British music festival (woodland walks, feasts around the campfire, wild swimming, and, of course, a top-notch music line-up) with seriously good food: join one of the long table banquets to enjoy fine wines and bespoke menus from Yotam Ottolenghi and Simon Stallard of the Hidden Hut.
Why not sit in one of the festival’s beautifully decorated field restaurant tents – try Italian delights from Café Murano or a seasonal menu in the Petersham Nurseries tent. Some top chefs will also be hosting chefs’ tables – indulge in a Swedish feast from Michelin star restaurant Agrikultur who will be cooking using locally-sourced produce they find in the area.
With appearances from many other restaurants – including Patty & Bun, Salon and Som Saa – this festival is a one-stop trip around some of Britain’s finest restaurants.
2 – 5 August, wildernessfestival.com
Find out more about Wilderness festival here
Chinese Food Festival
The Chinese Food Festival returns to Potters Field Park for one weekend this August under the theme of ‘Night Market’. Over 20 vendors will be serving dishes that each give a flavour of seven different provinces across China. Expect jian bing packed with pork from Pleasant Lady, Taiwanese snacks from Jiaba and wuhan chilli oil braised crayfish from Chilli Legend.
3 August – 2 September, chinesefoodfestival.com
London Craft Beer Festival
London’s Tobacco Dock will come alive for three days of beer, breweries, food and music this August. Over 65 craft breweries will be showcasing their beers, from big names like Brewdog to the lesser known Affinity Brew Co. and Ireland’s Whiplash.
Vist The Vaults, where HonestBrew will be doing a tour of exciting up-and-coming breweries, or sample some exclusive Wild Beer barrel-aged brews including Velvet Underground, Wineybeest and Sourdough.
London’s finest restaurants will be serving up dishes to soak up the ale, so stop by Luca for plates of pasta, Pitt Cue for wood-smoked ribs or Hoppers for Sri Lankan dosas.
3 – 5 August, londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk
Read more about our favourite British beers here including:
- Magic Rock High Wire
- Wiper & True Milk Shake
- Beavertown Gamma Ray
- Cloudwater Session Bitter
Lymington Seafood Festival
Seafood lovers rejoice: Lymington festival is back for two days of fish-based culinary wizardry in the New Forest. Steve Bulmer, Jane Devonshire and Alex Aitken are amongst the line-up of chefs showing off their skills in the demonstration kitchen, or join author Richard Fox for a seafood BBQ masterclass.
Over 90 food and drink stalls will be offering up produce to graze on, as well as live music from the likes of The FB Pocket Orchestra and local musician Lucas Raye.
11 – 12 August, lymingtonseafoodfestival.co.uk
Espresso Martini Festival
Now in its second year, London’s espresso martini festival gives you the chance to try the cocktail (made with Mr Black liqueur) at many of the city’s best bars for just £6. Head to the festival hub at the Old Truman Brewery on the Thursday night to get in the spirit with a free taster, or visit across the weekend to kick back with live music, nibbles and espresso martinis made with salted caramel and popcorn.
16 – 19 August, drinkup.london
MAKEMORE
Head to London’s Victoria Park over the Bank Holiday weekend to soak up four days of workshops, demos and sessions dedicated to performers, artists and chefs. Explore Russia’s food history with a supper club run by Alissa Timoshkina (of KinoVino), learn how to ferment a range of vegetables with food writer Charlotte Pike, or discover the techniques of food-styling with photographer Patricia Niven.
23 – 27 August, makemore.art
Carnaby Street Eat
This August, London’s Carnaby Street is showcasing the best of the West End’s food and drink with a summer party. Expect lobster buns from Claw, plates of fresh pasta from Pastaio and dumplings from Jinjuu, all at discounted prices.
Visitors will be given the chance to dine al fresco as communal picnic tables line Carnaby street (handily also making it easier for you to go back for seconds). If you need a place to relax after all the indulgence, head to the Newburgh quarter which will be kitted out with bean bags, deck chairs and live DJs.
11 August, carnaby.co.uk
Check out the best places to eat in Soho here
Meatopia
A must for meat-eaters, Meatopia is chiefly concerned with how to cook various meats over an open flame and many of the demo dishes being showcased here have been created exclusively for the event. Plus, there’ll be the chance to get the lowdown on craft beers at Melissa Cole’s Craftopia.
Try smoky barbecued delights from one of olive’s favourite Middle Eastern and North African restaurants, Berber & Q, or taste one of the best burgers in town from Patty & Bun. New for this year, Freddy Bird of Bristol’s The Lido and Sam Bryant of Coal Rooms will be joining in on the fun.
31 – 2 September, meatopia.co.uk
Try Freddy Bird’s recipes for yourself here
