Chester Food and Drink Festival to go ahead in August

Chester Food and Drink Festival organisers have today confirmed that the festival will go ahead on August Bank Holiday weekend this year.

The news comes as a welcome break from the flurry of cancelled events caused by the extension of the Covid restrictions until 19^th July.

Taste Cheshire, the festival organisers have faced a lot of tough decisions in the last 18 months, but for them, this one was a no brainer. “We have redesigned the festival” says festival organiser Briony Wilson. “Taking full advantage of the fabulous options created by Chester Racecourse, we are now able to hold the festival almost entirely outside ensuring that even if the restrictions remain in place, the festival can run. We are thrilled to be one of the few that will go ahead, and we look forward to bringing some much-needed positivity, and delicious food and drink to the city.”.

The festival features chef demonstrations from celebrity chefs such as John Torode from MasterChef, Chris Bavin from BBC’s Live well for Less and Michelin starred Paul Rankin amongst other demos from local food heroes. Demonstrations including a special plant-based cookery school, bbq demos and cocktail masterclasses are also featured as part of the event.

Only the demonstrations and cookery classes will be inside, the festival organisers have confirmed. The demonstrations will take place in a well-ventilated marquee with seating arranged around tables to maintain social distancing.

All 100 + exhibitors at the festival will be asked to do a Covid Test before the event and additional sanitising points and other Covid measures will remain in place, even if the government lifts restrictions.

Taste Cheshire are focused on organising a family friendly event full of foodie fun and to give everyone a chance to really enjoy a staycation in Chester this August Bank Holiday weekend. “it’s about safety first of course,” Briony Wilson says, “but people have waited for this festival for 18 months and it’s a wonderful feeling to be able to deliver it at last”.

Taste Cheshire also welcome input from local businesses in the festival and are happy to hear from anyone interested in getting involved with festival sponsorship. This year’s festival charity partner is Claire House hospice and Taste Cheshire are proud to be helping this local charity with fundraising at this difficult time.

Tickets for this year’s Chester Food and Drink Festival are available from chesterfoodanddrink.co.uk or through licensed affiliates.

The festival will run 28^th – 30^th August 2021 on Chester Racecourse.